With Propane, It’s Personal: Things to Consider Before Converting to Natural Gas
As a propane customer of Woodruff Energy, you may have been recently contacted by South Jersey Gas about converting to natural gas. It’s a decision that requires thoughtful consideration, and one that also requires a full understanding of what a switch to natural gas entails.
At Woodruff Energy, your home comfort always comes first, and we want you to know the full scope of how switching to natural gas will affect you and what South Jersey Gas may be leaving out.
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New Appliance Fittings Are Required: Many propane appliances can also work with natural gas, but they will require a licensed professional to change the appliance fittings for each fuel source because propane and natural gas operate with different levels of pressure.
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Added Costs: If your appliances aren’t convertible, you will be forced to buy new ones that can accept natural gas. These costs can add up to more than $10,000 for homeowners who require a complete conversion. Also, they will need to dig up your yard to install the new pipes to bring the natural gas from the street to your home.
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Propane is More Environmentally Friendly: Both propane and natural gas are classified as environmentally friendly fuels by many experts, but natural gas is primarily comprised of methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Propane is not a greenhouse gas and does not harm the environment or atmosphere if it is leaked.
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Natural Gas is Less Energy Efficient: Propane burns about half as much volume as natural gas in the same amount of time, making it the more energy-efficient option. Each cubic foot of natural gas produces approximately 1,012 BTUs of heat compared to the 2,520 BTUs produced by a cubic foot of propane.
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With Natural Gas, you will be billed every month regardless of your usage: Natural gas companies, like South Jersey Gas, bill you monthly for maintenance fees regardless of usage. These fees are charged to every customer to recoup the costs of running gas lines throughout the entire state. With propane, you only pay when you receive a delivery.
Perhaps the largest difference between natural gas and propane is the personal touch you receive as a propane customer. For over 150 years, Woodruff Energy has been personally taking care of our customers with reliable deliveries and equipment services. To us, our customers aren’t just account numbers like they are with big utility companies. They are our friends, neighbors, and family members.
If you have any further questions about propane or natural gas services or may be considering converting, our team can help answer some questions and make the best decision. We offer free estimates and can help you weigh the pros and cons of converting.
