Bottom line: there is NO performance difference between propane and natural gas unless you're grilling in the arctic. The only major difference is the convenience of natural gas and never running out of fuel. Your choice ultimately boils down to which fuel sources you have access to and the costs in your area.
Cost. If the natural gas price is $15.00 per 1,000 cubic feet, the same $15.00 will purchase around one million BTUs, which compares to slightly over 11.20 gallons of propane. If propane costs $2.50 per gallon, using this as an example, natural gas is the cheaper option.
If you have natural gas at your property, you will have a gas meter on site and you'll also be receiving a gas bill every three months for your usage and supply. If you have LPG gas on site, you bottles of gas will be delivered to your property periodically.
LPG fuel costsAccording to The Energy Saving Trust, the average cost of mains gas is around 3.75p per kWh compared to 5.25p per kWh for oil and 6.75p per kWh for LPG.
LPG in Australia is composed of propane. So referring to LPG as propane is accurate – they're one and the same thing. In the United States, the name LPG isn't in common use.
“In use the two gases are virtually the same. Most appliances can be used with either butane or propane without any modification. When using cylinders you need to know that different regulators are needed for propane and butane. Propane operates at a higher pressure than butane.
At $2.50 per gallon of
propane,
natural gas would be a more
cost effective energy solution.
How much does it cost to convert a house from propane to natural gas?
| Mid-range efficiency (80% AFUE) | $900-$1,800 |
|---|
| Unit | $1,000-$4,800 |
| Propane conversion kit | $150-$300 |
If you use propane on a natural gas stove, the flame will be too large. This is because the orifice jet for natural gas is considerably larger than the one used for propane. This can lead to burn injuries, damage to your stove and home, and even lead to death if it caused an explosion.
Usually about $15.00 for the kit if you do it yourself. Most ranges these days come setup for natural gas and have the LP conversion kit included in the package.
Can you convert a natural gas furnace to run on propane? Yes. Converting from natural gas to propane as a fuel source is a matter of a conversion kit that compensates for the differing pressure needed to properly operate the unit.
approximately 0.014 to 0.026
Natural gas is not stored in household tanks because the symmetry of its molecule makes it hard to liquify. You could store methane in a tank in the gas state but it has such low density in the gas state that you could not store a usable amount.
The only difference between a propane grill and a natural gas grill are the burners and regulators. So why is this grill more expensive? The reason is the hose and fitting that run from the grill to the connection in your house.
Each Weber gas grill sold in North America is designed to be used with one of those two types of fuel. A natural gas grill will never need to have a tank refilled, but natural gas is not available everywhere.
Natural gas vs propane: conclusionBoth are odourless, colourless, and clean-burning fossil fuels. Propane is more energy-efficient and considered to be a green fuel, while natural gas is not. Lastly, propane is heavier than air, but natural gas is lighter. This makes propane leaks more dangerous.
