Thursday, October 23, 2014

Propane & Household Energy Use In The United States

By Cath Buhr


Fuel conservation is something quite a few Americans take very seriously. Not only are people trying to shave a few dollars off their fuel bills, they also are trying to reduce their carbon foot print. For most Americans, our fuel sources are quite detrimental to the environment, but there are some alternatives. Propane, for example, can be much more affordable than other energy options and has much less on an impact on the environment.

Coal is a troublesome source of fuel, spewing four million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. No matter where you stand on the issue of climate change, coal pollution does aggravate allergies, asthma and other lung issues. Still, nearly half of our power is derived from the burning of coal, and there are hundreds of coal plants in the United States.

Of course coal isn't our only common fuel source, natural gas accounts for about 27 percent of yearly energy generation. When natural gas pipes are well-maintained, natural gas can be an excellent fuel source. However, if leaks occur, this releases methane into the atmosphere and scientists have found that methane is even more harmful for the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, as it traps heat far more efficiently, contributing to climate change.

While toxic greenhouse gases are not released from a nuclear power plant, there are several reasons why this fuel source can be a problem. While accidents at nuclear power plants are very rare, the results of a major accident can be catastrophic. Spent fuel rods at the plant must be stored for as many as 2,000 years before they are safe for the environment, and the start-up and maintenance costs of nuclear power plants are very high. Of course, there are few energy sources that don't have the potential for danger and coal fires and natural gas explosions certainly can be disastrous.

Solar power and wind power are two sources of power that produce no greenhouse gases and, of course, are completely renewable sources of energy. There will always be energy from the sun and there will always be wind, although the amount of energy garnered by the sun or wind depends upon your location on the globe. While both sources of energy are gaining steam, it will be some time before these are truly viable sources of energy for the masses.

If you are searching for an easy, cost-effective alternative fuel for your home, propane is an excellent option. Propane is considered a clean fuel and produces much less carbon dioxide than coal. Not only is it greener than coal and natural gas, it can be less expensive, especially if you pre-buy your yearly propane when prices drop to their lowest levels. Generally prices per gallon are very low from June through August, and the prices are the highest in January and also February. If you need Ohio propane, Pennsylvania propane, Indiana propane or perhaps Maryland propane, Thrifty Propane allows customers to pre-buy are lock in prices when the cost per gallon is low.




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