With spring planting around the corner, now’s the time to consider equipment upgrades that cut costs while reducing emissions. According to new research commissioned by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), adopting propane-powered equipment can help producers accomplish both goals.
“A Comparative Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Propane and Competing Energy Sources,” prepared by Nexight Group, studied 14 applications to compare emissions from propane-powered equipment with emissions from conventional energy sources such as gasoline, diesel, and electricity. From environmentally friendly engines and trucks, to low-emission home improvements, PERC suggests six green equipment upgrades to adopt ahead of spring planting season:
Irrigation Engines — Propane-powered irrigation engines emit 20 percent fewer GHGs than those using gasoline, and 11 percent fewer GHGs than by using diesel. Pickup Trucks — Farmers already using propane on the farm can increase their overall efficiency and reduce GHG emissions by adopting propane-autogas-powered work trucks like the Ford F-350, by Roush CleanTech. Light-duty propane autogas trucks produce 11 percent fewer GHGs than gasoline without sacrificing torque, horsepower or payload. Forklifts — Propane forklifts are available for both light- and heavy-duty use, and are approved for use both indoors and outdoors. Compared with those using gasoline, propane-powered forklifts produce 12 percent fewer GHGs. Space Heating — Propane powers efficient heating options, helping rural homeowners cut energy costs and emissions. According to Nexight, propane-powered furnaces emit 73 percent fewer GHGs than electric-powered models. Systems powered with a heat pump emit 30 percent fewer GHGs than electric. Water Heating — Propane-fueled water heating options feature energy-efficient technologies. Tankless models offer a supply of on-demand hot water, while propane storage models deliver the same amount of hot water as electric models while taking up less space. When compared with electric products, propane-powered water heaters emit between 36 percent and 39 percent fewer GHGs than electric storage and tankless water heaters. Generators — Propane-powered standby and portable generators allow for easier access during outages. Propane-powered backup generators emit 25 percent fewer GHG emissions than those powered by electricity.
PERC offers incentive programs to help offset the up-front costs of new propane equipment and home upgrades in exchange for performance data and customer feedback. The Propane Farm Incentive Program offers up to $5,000 on eligible irrigation engines, ag heaters, grain dryers, and portable generators. In addition, the Propane Heat & Power Incentive Program offers financial incentives up to $10,000 for eligible propane-powered products, such as standby generators and combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
