Recently, there’s been a misguided effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making homes and businesses in New Jersey to convert their homes to electric-powered heating systems. The state’s Energy Master Plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050 is laudable. But we question the method and the cost to New Jersey homeowners and businesses.
The plan will require whole-house conversions to electric heat. But that requirement will cost most families $20,000 or more.
We’re all in favor of combatting climate change. The problem is, electricity isn’t as clean as it’s made out to be. One of the selling points of electricity is that it has “zero” emissions. Did you know that the generation of electricity is the second-largest creator of greenhouse gases in the United States? That’s because most of our electricity supply is generated by coal-fired power plants. Only the transportation sector creates more greenhouse gases. More than 63% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.*
Why switch to a less efficient heating fuel when there are safe and clean-burning fuels to help keep your home and family comfortable, even on the coldest nights?
Heating oil generates a very high number of BTUs of heat energy per gallon, so it will warm your home reliably—and more evenly. Modern, efficient heating-oil systems in well-insulated homes can help homeowners achieve the same amount of warmth while using much less fuel!
Likewise, when you compare propane and electricity, burning a single gallon of propane produces the equivalent energy of 27 KW hours of electricity. When you consider the cost to extract, produce, process, and transport each fuel to the point of use, propane is 87 efficient. Electricity? Only about 32 percent efficient.
Propane is much more clean-burning than electricity, with nearly zero emissions created. Propane is a non-toxic, non-poisonous fuel that burns cleaner than other fuels. Additionally, propane will not create an environmental hazard if spilled.
Heating oil gets a bad rap. But thanks to advancements in recent years, the biofuel heating oil we deliver is a much cleaner product than in the past. One of the biggest changes in heating oil in recent years has been the development of ultra-low sulfur heating oil that’s blended with biofuels. The result is a cleaner-burning heating fuel that emits up to 80% less sulfur dioxide as well as 20% less carbon dioxide than traditional heating oils. Fewer greenhouse gases mean cleaner air and a more sustainable future for everyone!
Making the switch to all-electric will put serious strain on New Jersey’s already strained electric grid. Increased demand during extreme cold will lead to higher prices and more outages.
If you agree that this is the wrong way to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, tell your legislators to oppose carbon taxes.
Dixon Energy is committed to delivering cleaner-burning, efficient heating oil and propane all year-round. Become a customer today and experience the difference we can make for your northern New Jersey home or business!