NEW PRODUCTS Smart green choices
placed anywhere. That versatility makes it a popular amenity nationwide. On the other hand, you’re most likely to see propane-fired indoor appliances in areas with no natural gas infrastructure. The biggest reason is price. While propane offers more BTUs per cubic foot than natural gas, the costs per BTU are usually higher. Growing demand also tends to keep costs high: the fact that propane is a derivative means that when demand for the fuel grows, the supply of it can’t be increased unless the demand for gas or oil also rises. In fact, the cost of propane is mostly
dependent on that of oil. Even though only half the supply of propane comes from crude oil processing, prices have historically risen and fallen in step with the price of crude. Propane’s derivative nature also
means that not everyone gives it the green label. Although it does burn cleaner than gasoline or coal, it’s still a fossil fuel, and the extraction of all fossil fuels from the ground pose environmental risks. The danger of oil spills, like that in the Gulf of Mexico, is clear to everyone, but gas also has problems. For example, newer processes of extracting natural gas, like fracking, have been linked to contaminated groundwater in many areas.
Of course fossil fuels aren’t going
away any time soon, so environmentally conscious builders and consumers will want to use it in the most responsible manner possible. That makes propane- fueled products like those on the following pages worth a serious look. GB
Dependable Heat Carrier Comfort 80 Gas Furnace’s efficient
furnace technology helps keep winter bills low, and temperatures consistent and warm. The product offers 80% AFUE energy efficiency, ComfortFan technology, a noise reduction system, pilot-free PowerHeat ignition, high-efficiency air filtration cabinet, 20-year heat exchanger limited warranty, and 10-year parts limited warranty when registered.
www.carrier.com
Cook’s Treasure KitchenAid’s 36” wide Architect Series II five-burner cooktop with stainless steel clear coat surface offers
a 20,000 BTU professional dual-tier burner and provides the highest power for a gas cooktop. Low-profile grates integrates with the countertop, and the design and durability of clear coat protection help keep the stainless steel surface looking clean and like new.
www.kitchenaid.com
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No Bull Now with internal lights, this grill
offers 600 square inches of primary cooking space, offers a 210” stainless steel warming rack, and is constructed of 16-guage brushed stainless steel. The product also offers an integral thermometer in the grill lid and four 15,000 BTU primary burners. Comes with a rotisserie spit and motor and runs on either propane or gas.
www.bullbbq.com
52
GreenBuilder September 2010
www.greenbuildermag.com
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