- Written By: S. Mithra
- Edited By: L. S. Wynn
- Image By: Ty Konzak
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
The difference between propane, or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas comes down to their portability, compression, energy efficiency, and cost. However, there is generally no difference when it comes to performance in appliances for heating, cooking, or drying. The mixture of natural gas is comprised of propane, along with other gases like methane, butane, ethane, and pentane.
One difference in the physical properties of propane and natural gas is how easily they liquefy and transport. Propane turns into a liquid at —46° F (-43° C), so it's easy to compress and carry in a portable tank. You can buy compressed propane at most gas stations. It's decompressed by a valve at the source of use, such as a barbeque grill. Yet natural gas doesn't compress as easily. It usually comes to your home from a utility company along dedicated lines to power things like a central heating system, clothes dryer, and water heater.
Propane is heavier than air which is heavier than natural gas. Both natural gas and propane will dissipate into the air if they are released in an open enough environment and both can pose an explosive risk if they concentrate enough and are ignited. However, because propane is heavier, it tends to fall to the ground, collect, and pose a greater explosive risk. On the other hand, because natural gas is lighter than air, it tends to rise and dissipate into the air, posing less of an explosive risk.
Propane provides more energy per unit volume than does natural gas. Heat is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. Propane provides about 2500 BTUs for the same volume of natural gas that only gives 1000 BTUs. However, natural gas can be less expensive at up to one-sixth the cost of propane, depending on where you live. Utilities in colder climates might supply natural gas for less money, especially during winter months. Some rural areas don't have access to a utility company that provides gas service.
Since they are both petroleum distillates, made of hydrocarbons, these gases have comparable power. Natural gas, as its name implies, develops naturally in deposits underground, so it only needs to be pumped out to use. Propane, since it is one of the gases in those deposits, must be further separated and distilled.
You probably couldn't tell the difference between their performance on a grill or water heater. They ignite at the same temperature. Some barbecue enthusiasts prefer natural gas because it is a cleaner burning fuel, which means it doesn't release as many pollutants into the air. Exhaust from propane might affect the taste of food. To the end user, there aren't many differences between natural gas and propane, but they do differ in their chemical properties.
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Discuss this Article
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anon166191
Post 43 |
I have a new gas fireplace and it came natural gas can I convert it to propane? I live too far out to get gas service. |
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anon162953
Post 42 |
what is the difference between a propane shipping tanker and LPG shipping tanker? --Anil |
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anon159416
Post 41 |
Can I connect propane to a natural gas heater? |
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anon153222
Post 40 |
Natural gas is a green house gas that hurts the atmosphere when released but propane is not a green house gas. Both are explosive when they cannot escape. but propane may me slightly more since it is heavier than air. it may settle and build up, where natural gas has a greater chance of escaping. |
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anon151754
Post 39 |
I'm not pleased with the article. My thoughts are that safety is at the top of any priority. Propane gas is extremely dangerous! |
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anon149011
Post 38 |
Propane is a byproduct of the oil refining process and therefor fluctuates in price more so than natural gas. Since the USA is the "Saudi Arabia" of natural gas, it should be cheaper per BTU than propane. But you need to do the calculation. Just remember you have to compare apples to apples. If you buy 50 gallons of L.P. and you buy natural gas by the cubic foot you have to convert one of the measurements to the other before you can compare. |
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vettlvr
Post 37 |
What would be the effects of using a propane gas in a natural gas furnace? And why should you convert a natural gas furnace to a propane if that is what you're using, a propane tank. |
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anon123084
Post 36 |
I have been trying to find out how the burners on my gas range translate from the natural gas btus posted by the manufacturer to lp btus. For instance, if a burner puts out 17000 btus using natural gas, what is the equivalent for lp. Somebody please help! |
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anon102979
Post 35 |
i have a cng truck that i would like to convert to propane. if i just fill the tank will it have any kind of damage? |
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anon88430
Post 34 |
The United States needs cheap alternative fuel for transportation. We have abundant reserves of natural gas, but, it lacks the power of gasoline or diesel. Propane is relatively clean and powerful. Why aren't we chemically converting our natural gas to propane and using it for transportation? It would be cheap, available in huge quantities and we already have technologies to make it happen tomorrow? Somebody tell T. Boon Pickens to get on the stick and make a few more billions before he dies (Mr.Pickens owns huge reserves of natural gas). Also, natural gas should not be used as a fuel because it takes a high level of technology to get any range out of it. And, the lowest human common denominator will blow himself and those around him to smithereens, with natural gas. |
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anon81185
Post 33 |
Fuel is fuel. The chemical bonds are broken when ignited which generates the heat, so fuel is fuel. However, natural gas (NG) is lighter in a utility supply line. It is very important to keep pressure in mind when discussing the differences. A regulator controls the flow of gas, or the delivery pressure, which generates the heat. Propane is regulated to a lower delivery pressure and the orifice controls the velocity of the leaving fuel. The regulator and orifice are matched to deliver a range of temperatures. A therm is 100,000 BTUs or 100 cubic feet of natural gas. Don't waste your time figuring carbon footprints. |
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anon71791
Post 31 |
Please advise: What is the concern of installing wall-mounted space heaters in each large area room operating off a single propane supply line. I also have added carbon monoxide detectors. I have also installed fresh air floor vents drawing air from beneath the entire crawl space which is also vented to the outside. Each wall-mounted space heater includes its own emergency shut off valve and each heater has a built in ODS (oxygen depletion safety shutoff), which shuts off the heater/pilot light whenever there is not enough fresh air. All roof overhang eves around the house are vented and open into the attic. We have a metal roof with a vapor barrier and insulation for breathing purposes and venting. No odor of LPG is present and each area is comfortably controlled. Am I wrong or does make sense for a cabin in the woods? |
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anon63051
Post 30 |
I have a house in a remote area so I have propane delivered like many people do. I installed a direct-vent gas fireplace and converted it to propane. It works fine, but the flames are low and I can't get that "roaring fire" look that the same fireplace produced in the showroom. I am thinking this may be because propane burns hotter and more importantly, is heavier than air as opposed to natural gas. Perhaps pressure is lower too. Is there any way to get natural gas delivered in a tank? It would just be for the one appliance, the fireplace. |
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ronj
Post 29 |
when using lp gas for heating in the home, should you use copper or black pipe inside the home? |
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anon60757
Post 28 |
Marvellous explanation! Very professional and well done! I totally have the points, thanks a lot! |
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anon60498
Post 27 |
When I bought a water heater recently at Home Depot, there were units made for natural gas and different units sold for use with propane. They were not interchangeable. |
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jab
Post 26 |
I live in an area that permits fireplace burning on a no-burn day if there is no natural gas service. We have a propane tank. Is this the same as natural gas service or can we burn our fireplace? |
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anon55013
Post 24 |
Does propane contain more moisture than natural gas? We have a Jenn-Air stovetop that has rusted out and were told that propane could be the issue. Collegeville, PA |
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anon42026
Post 22 |
Since propane and natural gas are measured and priced differently, which one in your opinion is a cheaper way to heat your home? I have both options. |
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anon37026
Post 21 |
Hi, I just purchased a vent free fireplace online and when i got home I discovered it was lp gas or propane. how do I use that? i was going to get a gas line connected in my house for natural gas, but this unit cannot be converted, it has to be propane. So how does that work? |
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johnnieboy
Post 20 |
Can I provide propane as a back up fuel source for boilers and water heaters that are now connected to natural gas? Is it fair to say that I will lose 20% to 30% capacity? Are there special devices that need to be connected to provide the ideal back up support fuel? |
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dhsimonet
Post 19 |
I seriously need to know if Natural Gas is less expensive than Propane in the long run. If Natural gas gives off less BTU's than propane, does it really save you money to run all of your appliances on it? Right now we have propane and we are thinking of getting a new furnace which they are telling us will save us approximately $1200 a year. Is this true? |
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degoldiway
Post 18 |
In order to compare costs of the different gases we need to be able to compare how much gas is used to boil say, 1 litre of water. However when I buy LPG (Propane) I buy 45kg. When I buy Natural Gas (Methane) I buy kWh. Is there any way to compare the energy output of the two products? The article above talks about the same volume of gas providing 2500 BTUs for LPG and 1000 BTUs for Natural Gas. How do I know what volume I have burned from Kg and kWh measures? |
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alramrod9009
Post 17 |
Why do butane and propane have the same uses but different sources of supply? |
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anon22382
Post 16 |
If LP gas contains more energy than NG, why do most of the appliance manufacturers (the ones who list the BTU ratings of the burners) have a much lower BTU rating for LP? Many list only the Natural Gas numbers. The ones that list both usually show the LP numbers to be 60% to 80% of the Natural Gas numbers (so your gas kitchen range running on LP takes much longer to heat up the item being cooked). For an example, look up the specs for a GE model J2S968SEKSS range. Some high-end range manufacturers make the LP version a special order and (supposedly) resize the internal plumbing to get the same BTU output.
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goonybird
Post 15 |
I just installed a barbecue grill set up for lpg/propane. we installed in on natural gas. The jets in the burners had to be removed. To burn on natural gas it requires more fuel. If we were to put it back on propane we would have to reinstall the jets to reduce the fuel flow. |
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aeulgr1
Post 14 |
In an industrial heat tempering oven, where temperatures need to constantly run in the 500 degree range, how would natural gas compare to propane? Since propane provides more energy per unit, which would be the better and least costly alternative? |
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anon14507
Post 13 |
Aaron, you can NOT use propane on a natural bbq as the orifice size and inches of water column ( pressure ) and btu content of the two fuels are different. It is a safety issue, do not attempt it. |
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anon14115
Post 12 |
ok, all you guys have to read up before you start piping in those gas appliances. LP gas (usually propane) and natural gas are very different as to the burn, and the air mix has to be changed in order for them to work interchangeably. many appliances can be converted, some not. you have to check with the manufacturer, or you will get toasted, or it wont burn at all.
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robertfarley
Post 11 |
This information is very helpful; it leaves me with a question, though. If LPG is harder to compress, how does it get transported? Is it always by pipe in gas form, or is it trucked to distribution facilities in liquid (or gas) form, then piped around cities in gas form.
Also, if I live where it is not available (piped around the city), is there any way I can get it? |
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anon11532
Post 10 |
What is the difference in using LPG from the petrol station to natural gas in your household heater? Can it pose a health risk? |
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anon11461
Post 9 |
Mercaptan is added to the gas, what about propane, is mercaptan added to propane? |
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anon10090
Post 8 |
I am trying to calculate my carbon footprint. The worksheet asks for therms of natural gas, but I use propane, and it is sold in gallons. Is there a formula for converting gallons of LP gas to therms of natural gas? |
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anon8381
Post 7 |
can i use lpg or natural gas on a bbq that says to use propane gas?
i have bought a propane gas smoker from the USA, but i live in Australia and here we only have natural gas.
what to do? |
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anon8162
Post 6 |
A gas appliance designated specifically for "natural gas" can usually be converted to an appliance capable of burning "propane" by the appropriate swapping out of certain elements in the air mixing system. There are conversion kits available at hardware stores. In many states you may be required to hire a plumber to perform the conversion. The components can be identified by different sized orifices. You cannot simply hook up an appliance designated for one type of gas to be fueled by a different type of gas without courting disaster. |
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anon7434
Post 5 |
can i use lpg or natural gas on a bbq that says to use propane gas? |
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AnneMarie
Post 3 |
I know that natural gas is far better than heating oil in terms of CO2 emissions (global warming). How does propane compare to natural gas in this regard? |
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Dayton
Post 2 |
Actually, according to my research, liquid petroleum gas is the name for the larger family of gases that include propane and butane.
That means that the answer to your question is, probably.
I'm not an engineer or anything, but I'd check the specs on the grill and the specs on the lpg canister and make sure they're compatible. If everything checks out, you're probably fine. |
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anon1388
Post 1 |
can grills that are set up for propane tanks, used lpg without any risk? thank you |
