Between building systems and industrial equipment, you have options when it comes to the type of energy you use. While many manufacturers would have you believe that electric-powered equipment is more dependable than natural gas, there are a number of factors that affect its overall efficiency rating. Discover how natural gas continues to stay in the lead when compared to other fuel sources.
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What is Efficiency Exactly?
When comparing natural gas and electric sources of energy, the efficiency of an energy source involves various aspects. To measure the efficiency of anything, the goal is to use the least amount of resources for the highest performance output. In power generation, resources may include price, amount of fuel consumed, storage capabilities, performance, and long term reliability. Take a deeper look into these factors and how natural gas in its liquidated or compressed form continues to reign above electric energy sources.
- Price
- Performance
- Reliability
1) Price
Electricity is produced from a number of different sources, including coal, petroleum, solar, and wind. Moreover, electricity prices can vary significantly based on the source and location in the United States, affecting the overall utility costs for both residential and commercial costumers.
Natural gas, on the other hand, is available domestically and can be transported to virtually any location by truck, rail, or underground gas lines. In addition, natural gas prices have stayed generally consistent across the country, helping ensure long-term cost savings for facilities needing daily power generation, heating, or cooling.
2) Performance
When fossil fuels or renewable energy (such as wind turbines or solar panels) is converted into electricity, there is a vast amount of energy that is lost between extraction, transportation, generation, and final distribution. According to the American Gas Association, 75% of energy loss is found for electricity whereas natural gas experiences as little as 8%. Because natural gas energy is transported through a system of pipelines and there is no secondary conversion needed, the performance is much greater than electric power.
3) Reliability
When evaluating efficiency, it’s important to have a fuel source that is always available. Depending on the energy source, electricity can be difficult to obtain and store for locations that are missing power lines. Renewable sources such as wind and solar, in particular, lose effectiveness when the weather changes. If the sun isn’t sunny enough or the wind doesn’t blow enough wind, the amount of electricity generated could unfortunately be at stake.
Natural gas, on the other hand, isn’t affected by outside factors and continues to be available regardless of the extraction process. Notably, CNG and LNG solutions are designed for locations that don’t have access to gas pipelines. For customers who need continual access to an energy source, sustainable infrastructures can be built to ensure long term access to natural gas.
Choosing the Best Energy Source
Finding the best fuel source for your equipment like air conditioners, water heaters, or industrial generators requires energy you can count on. Between sustainable energy costs and reliable performance, natural gas continues to reign supreme.
Get in touch with our team for a customized natural gas solution to keep your equipment or manufacturing process running at optimal efficiency.