• TalesOfTrees@sh.itjust.works
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    7 months ago

    Are people just not aware that most natural gas appliances can be run with propane and not just the natural gas that utilities might provide? Usually just requires adjustment of the flow-rates on the appliance and fuel supply line. I forget which is which, but natural gas and propane run at two slightly different pressures, so if you don’t adjust for that during the changeover, it won’t burn as efficiently.

    I mention this more as a “what would I do if I was told I had to sign up for the natural gas utility”. Of course, this doesn’t take into account that if you have natural gas coming to the house, you probably use that as your primary heatsource as well. So that’s a consideration. In terms of kitchen appliances though, the info might be useful to someone.

      • TalesOfTrees@sh.itjust.works
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        7 months ago

        Higher price per unit, but propane burns 2-2.5x more efficiently. So what might be more beneficial to one person or another most likely depends on other factors, such as region and availability.

        • silence7@slrpnk.netOPM
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          7 months ago

          Almost nobody ends up using propane when they’ve got piped gas available. Which says that it’s not a great choice.

          • TalesOfTrees@sh.itjust.works
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            7 months ago

            Or it just confirms developers being in cahoots, and consumers being unaware that they have choices, even when it doesn’t seem like it. Hopefully you’re not interpreting this as me trying to argue with you, as my intention is more of a “hey, by the way here’s something” rather than an attempt to convince anyone of anything.

              • NoIWontPickAName@kbin.earth
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                7 months ago

                I never really thought about it until this discussion. I’m used to propane tanks for people who live in the country

                • silence7@slrpnk.netOPM
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                  7 months ago

                  Exactly. There are propane tanks in areas where there aren’t fixed pipes to deliver natural gas. Once those are installed, people switch to the cheaper option.

                  This is a big deal because right now heat pumps are almost always cheaper than propane, but not cheaper than natural gas.

                  • NoIWontPickAName@kbin.earth
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                    7 months ago

                    No I meant there are still houses here that use propane, I was looking at one on Monday, smack dab in the middle of town