What is the difference between butane and propane?

If you don’t currently use LPG and would like to know more about how you could reduce your carbon emissions by switching from oil to LPG or BioLPG, find out more here.

• What is LPG?
• What is propane?
• What is butane?  
• How do they compare? 
• What is the effect on your carbon emissions?
• The benefits of propane vs butane
• FAQs

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is a colourless, low carbon, and highly efficient fuel which is supplied in two main forms – propane and butane. Although both propane and butane power appliances in the same way, the properties that make up the gases (and the different ways that they are extracted and stored) means that which gas you choose will depend on your needs.

Propane is a form of LPG which comes from natural gas processing and oil refining – the gas is liquified through pressurisation. With a low boiling point of -42°C*, propane isn’t affected by the cold conditions here in the U.K, making it ideal for outdoor use. It is stored in gas bottles or bulk LPG tanks depending on your usage requirements and preferred storage solution.

Propane is widely used for both domestic and commercial appliances. It is typically used for BBQ’s, patio heaters, LPG gas cooking, heating water, and heating your home, as well as operating tools, ovens, or forklift trucks.

Butane is also a form of LPG. It has a higher boiling point at -2°C, so is better suited to indoor use, and fuelling appliances like portable gas heaters and single-burner cooking stoves. Like propane, butane takes the form of a gas, so needs to be liquefied for storage. It’s typically stored in smaller canisters; for residential properties, you can store up to 30kg of butane (2 x 15kg gas bottles) indoors. Butane gas bottles are great for caravanning and camping trips when a portable and reliable gas supply is needed.

The key difference between propane and butane is their boiling point. Propane can handle much lower temperatures, which is why it’s used in homes with outdoor storage. Butane, on the other hand, is better stored indoors as it doesn’t function as effectively in colder climates.

For example, here in the UK, January 2021 was the coldest January we‘d had in over a decade.***. In these conditions butane, which has a boiling point of -2°C, would not work effectively outdoors, whereas propane would.

In terms of storage, both fuels can be stored in a range of ways. You can learn more about the many storage options here, or find which gas bottle you need here.

When it comes to carbon emissions, both propane and butane are clean burning fuels that are better for the environment than alternatives such as oil. If you are using propane in BioLPG form (where it is still chemically identical to LPG and compatible with all LPG products) you can reduce your carbon emissions by up to 38% when compared to oil**.

BioLPG, an eco-propane, is a renewable, sustainable energy source made from a blend of waste, residues, and sustainably sourced materials. It’s chemically identical to LPG and is compatible with all LPG products - BioLPG has no compromise on performance, so it's as energy efficient as LPG, whilst supporting us all to achieve a more sustainable future.

BioLPG can be supplied to your home as part of Calor’s Green Energy Plan, whereby 40% of your home energy is renewable (40% BioLPG / 60% LPG mix). By opting for this plan, you’re buying into a sustainable mix and a more sustainable future. The entire LPG supply industry has committed to supplying 100% renewable energy by 2040, and we’re proud to be leading the way towards meeting this ambitious target.

Below you can find the key characteristics and benefits of propane and butane broken down into a table, so you can directly compare your energy usage needs and decide which fuel is better for you:

Sources

* https://www.calor.co.uk/propane

** https://www.calor.co.uk/biolpg 

***https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2021/2021-a-year-in-weather-a-review