Propane vs. Wood

What to consider when deciding between propane and wood

Whether you’re debating between the purchase of a propane or wood fire pit, a propane or wood stove, or something else, keep the following in mind as you list the pros and cons:

• Cost. Using wood to heat your home starts with the price of the stove or furnace. The average unit can range from $1,500 to $5,000. Top models will be even more. Wood delivery and stacking fees will also apply in most cases.
• Safety. From ongoing maintenance to issues with installation, the increased risk of fire with the use of pellet stoves, wood stoves or outdoor wood furnaces is certainly worth considering.
• Convenience. With a propane heating unit, all you need to do is touch a button or flip a switch for heat on the spot. Whenever you do that, consider all of the time you have saved by not having to haul wood to your stove, furnace or fireplace—not to mention cleaning out the ash afterward.
• Efficiency and availability. Propane stoves, fireplaces and furnaces are more efficient than wood-burning units, and they run on a fuel that’s readily available even in rural areas of our state.

Propane, wood and the environment

A wood-burning fireplace emits up to 4,000% more emissions than a propane-fueled fireplace! These high emissions from wood-burning units have led to important changes.

A few years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed its clean-air emissions standards for residential wood heaters, with the intention of making new wood-heating units burn significantly cleaner.

These federal air standards for previously unregulated new wood heaters cover outdoor and indoor wood-fired boilers (also known as hydronic heaters), indoor wood-fired forced-air furnaces, and single-burn-rate woodstoves.

According to the EPA, the standards require new woodstoves and heaters to operate about 80% more cleanly than previous models. This will lead to important air-quality and public-health improvements in communities across the country.

The EPA based its decision on the fact that smoke from residential wood heaters can increase toxic air pollution, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and soot to levels that pose serious health concerns.

Want to know more about the cost of propane versus wood? Interested in converting your old wood-burning appliances to propane? Contact your propane company today for expert advice and assistance.