For years, a propane furnace was the way to go because of the cost of electricity. However, things change, and tables are turned. Are you trying to figure out a way to turn propane into electricity in your house?
Converting from propane to electricity can be cost-effective for using renewable energy sources. You may replace the propane-powered heating element with an electric one and run all your appliances from the same power source.
You may quickly go from propane to electricity, and many tools are available to assist you. In our guide, you can learn more about converting propane to electricity.
By the end, you’ll know more about changing your appliances to run off your electric panel or even converting your RV’s water heater to electric and not using gas lines. (Read Should You Open Propane Tank Valve All The Way)
What is Propane?
As a way to save money on energy bills, propane-to-electric conversion is becoming more and more common. To cook, heat, and power cars, water heaters, and more, propane was the gas of choice.
The gas must be heated in an airtight chamber with a thermostat to turn propane into electricity. Although still enjoying all the advantages of using propane as a fuel source, convert propane to electricity enables homeowners to save money on their energy bills.
Benefits of Propane To Electric Converter
Propane to electric conversion is an easy and cost-effective upgrade with many advantages. Converting from propane to electricity provides more efficient energy use, eliminating the need for ongoing propane refills.
This translates into both financial savings and a reduction in emissions. Furthermore, electric counterparts are often quieter than their propane equivalents, making them ideal for residential settings.
Electric appliances require less maintenance than gas counterparts and can be installed quickly with minimal disruption. Finally, converting from propane to electricity increases the value of your property, as potential buyers often prefer homes equipped with modern electrical systems over older gas technology.
Switching Gas to Electric: Why Convert?
Due to its higher efficiency than gas heating, propane to electricity converter is an increasingly popular choice for most people. Electric heaters are a more cost-effective way to keep your house warm since they have greater energy efficiency ratings, which means that more of the energy consumed to power them is transformed into heat.
Also, compared to propane heaters, electric heaters are typically more dependable, need less maintenance, and offer a longer life. Electric heaters are also considered safer and cleaner than gas heating systems because they do not use an open flame while delivering an even temperature.
With many versions being wall mounted or portable, they also provide more freedom in terms of installation and location within the home. Here are the top reasons using a heat pump as your propane-to-electricity converter makes a lot of sense. (Read Can You Lay A Propane Tank On Its Side)
1. Homes feel better.
Your home will consistently have comfortable temperatures across every room when you switch to electric heat with a high-performance air source heat pump.
2. The air will be cleaner.
In general, switching to electric heat will make the air in your home healthier. Your home furnace should no longer be burning fossil fuels. And there will be less dust and allergens with an electric system install.
Also, there is no carbon monoxide risk when heating your home with a heat pump.
3. Electric heat is more eco-friendly
Natural gas is one of the cleanest-burning fossil fuel sources. Yet, because it is a fossil fuel, we must drastically cut back on its use to protect the environment and the health of our home. Also, electric heat is unquestionably the way to go if you ever want to entirely live off the grid because you won’t require access to natural gas pumped in from a utility.
Many forward-thinking homeowners are undertaking a propane-to-electricity converter program on their homes or converting them into net-zero houses.
4. A more reliable energy source.
We all pay for the rising cost of products as a part of life. Even with careful budgeting and waste reduction, geopolitical factors can cause fossil fuel home heating costs like natural gas, propane, and heating oil to fluctuate.
Yet, there are things you can do at home to mitigate rising energy costs. Local energy costs suggest converting to electric heating and making your home’s electricity use efficient.
The main picture is electricity is frequently a more reliable energy source to install because they generate it from various energy sources, including renewables such as wind, solar, coal, and nuclear power.
5. Heat pump heat is more efficient than traditional heating.
As previously stated, heat pumps are three times more efficient than conventional HVAC systems.
Electric heating was thought to be inefficient and expensive.
Modern heat pumps can handle that issue while making your home more comfortable and healthful to live in and making it cheaper to install and use water heaters.
What Is an Electric Conversion Kit for an RV Water Heater?
Going electric with your water heater in your fifth wheel, motorhome, or travel trailer doesn’t mean you must buy an expensive electric-only replacement for your propane water heater.
Installing a cost-effective RV water heater conversion kit is the best option to operate your camper’s water heater on electricity.
Kits comprise: Temperature sensor and thermostat for a special heating rod. (Learn How To Add A Porch Roof To An Existing Roof)
Wiring
Using the drain plug, you screw a unique rod attachment into the water heater tank of your RV to use the RV propane to electric water heater kit.
- You the thermostat, which you connect to the side of the tank, you wire this to the rod and plug it into a typical 110-volt RV outlet.
- The device automatically turns on to heat the rod and, consequently, the water in the tank once you put it into shore power at camping or another area.
- Installing a conversion kit is relatively rapid and, for most people, a simple DIY effort because of the small number of components.
Advantages of Changing RV Propane Water Heater to Electric
1. Lowering cost and use of propane
Switching from a propane water heater to an electric one saves money when camping. Typically, the cost of electricity is included in daily or weekly pricing at RV campgrounds. You can save money by heating your water for showers or dishwashing without spending extra to run electrical equipment.
Most RV parks charge per kilowatt-hour for electricity after a month. Depending on the cost of propane and how efficient your RV equipment is, using electricity is frequently more affordable.
Note: 27 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity equals one gallon of propane.
Note: For full-time or long-term RVers who wish to save money while camping, it’s recommended that you use a water heater electric conversion kit in addition to keeping your propane system running.
2. Maintain Hot Water if Propane Runs Out
Installing a conversion kit also serves as a backup in case you run out of propane and cannot get a refill immediately. You can convert to electricity by plugging in your water heater conversion system or using a generator if you live off the grid but still want the luxury of hot water.
3. Quicker Water Heating
Using the electric heating element in conjunction with your propane system, your RV’s water tank can heat gallon upon gallon of water quicker. This benefit is excellent when many people need to take showers quickly, and you can’t wait for your tank to warm up between uses.
It is also cheaper to use electric water heaters to heat a gallon unit of water than with gas.
4. Less Weight and Space
You may do without the propane system and minimize your RV’s weight and space needs by getting rid of the huge tanks if you exclusively stay at campgrounds with electric hookups.
Benefits of Converting to Propane
Propane can be utilized even if there are no natural gas lines available because it is self-contained and independent. If there is no grid in your area or it is merely down because of a power outage, certain appliances can work without electricity.
How does propane compare to other forms of energy?
Almost all of your home’s appliances can be run on propane, which does so while consuming less energy, emitting fewer pollutants, and producing more power than natural gas, fuel oil, or electricity.
Propane is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative energy source that can help you save money, lessen your carbon footprint, and control your energy usage, whether you’ve previously used natural gas, oil heat, electricity, or a combination of the three.
Find More Power by Converting to Propane
In some cases—especially in rural or developing areas, it isn’t possible to have a propane-to-electricity converter program on your home or RV. Thus, you have to rely on several gallon of propane to power your appliances in remote locations.
Yet propane serves as more than simply a fallback. Even if you have access to electricity and natural gas, switching to propane heat, propane cooking stove, or propane clothes dryers can improve the performance and longevity of your standard household products.
Why does it matter what fuel you use to heat your home, aside from the price on your gas bill? You know how expensive it can be to heat and cool your home in the winter. Natural gas line suppliers’ prices change, making it difficult to keep up.
You may not know that transitioning from natural gas to electric heat is more efficient than ever—but only with a heat pump. Switching from a gas furnace and water heaters to an electric heat pump is one of the best ways to save energy and transition to cleaner energy. (Learn How To Remove Adhesive From Hardwood Floors)
Conclusion
Using a heat pump system makes switching from natural gas to electric heat more efficient.
Switching from gas to electric heat: Why?
Natural gas heat has been a reliable, affordable way to heat a house for years. To most homeowners’ surprise, it’s no longer the most efficient or comfortable way to warm their home in winter.
First, high-efficiency electric heat pumps create a more comfortable home. Your home’s heating will be more even, you’ll feel better, and your indoor air quality will improve.
Second, electric heaters were pricey for heating your home. Still, with modern cold climate heat pumps, you can heat your home with more than 300% efficiency compared to the 95% efficiency of gas furnaces.
Heat pumps work to heat homed in winter, cool homes in summer, and help dehumidify and filter the air in your house.
Home insulation is key, regardless of whether you switch to electric or remain on propane for powering water heaters, cooking on your stove, or heating your home.
