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Types of Natural Gas Heat

Natural gases are processed, producing byproducts that we use for heating. Processing removes all materials expect for the methane. Natural gas consists mainly of methane and is divided into two types of gas: biogenic and thermogenic. The names themselves give you an idea of where they can be found. Biogenic are located in landfills, sediments, bogs and marshes. Thermogenic gases are located deeper in our Earth's core, where temperature and pressure create the gases.

  1. Types of Natural Gas Heat

    • Natural gas, or simple gas, is 87 percent methane, and when burned it emits less carbon dioxide in comparison to fossil fuels, which means it burns cleaner. It's also cheaper in comparison to coal or oil. Environmental research is driving the shift to natural gas for heat to help ameliorate global warming. The shift may also impact the markets for coal and oil.

    Propane Gas

    • Propane gas is used for residential central heating. If you have a gas BBQ grill or a patio heater, they both may run on propane gas. The chemical mixture of propane is carbon and hydrogen, which is produced through refining the natural gas. Over two-thirds of the propane gas is produce domestically here the United States, with a small portion being imported from Canada or from overseas.

    Butane Gas

    • Butane gas is used for gas heaters and stoves. However, butane gas releases a toxic gas when burned, and inhaling it can cause serious side effects --- including frostbite when handling butane without the proper protection. Butane's trait ability to change from a gas to a liquid is makes it an ideal element as a refrigerant, which is used in household refrigerators and freezers.

    Pentane Gas

    • Pentane gas is used in the production of energy at geothermal power stations. Largely because it's safe, it's cheap to use and has a low boiling point. The low boiling point also makes this gas a natural additive for refrigerants. Geothermal is noted for being a clean renewable source of energy by taking the heat from the earth and converting it into electricity.

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