What makes residential propane such an attractive fuel source? At Heller’s Gas, we know that answer is different for every homeowner. For some, it’s the safety. For some, it’s the savings. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to convert to propane, here’s some helpful information you should definitely consider:

Reasons to Choose Propane

It’s Safe

Many homeowners who are concerned about safety choose to convert from natural gas to propane. Why? Because while natural gas and other fuels are often volatile or toxic, propane is neither. For instance, natural gas is flammable and can cause explosions. Propane cannot. Natural gas is odorless and colorless, making it difficult to notice its presence. Propane, meanwhile, has a very distinct scent, so you always know if your gas line has a leak.

It’s Clean

Propane isn’t just safe for humans, it’s safe for the environment, too. Again, in stark contrast to many fuel sources that are toxic to the environment and produce greenhouse gases, propane is neither. Both the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 recognize propane as a clean energy source, one that doesn’t release harmful substances into the atmosphere.

It’s Efficient

With BTU rating twice as high as electricity or natural gas, propane easily outclasses its competitors in terms of economy and efficiency. Furthermore, because you have complete control over how much or how little fuel you use, as well as how often you refill you tank, propane allows you to easily monitor and modify your home energy usage, reducing costs and eliminating energy waste.

It’s Versatile

Think propane is only used for fireplaces, water-heaters, and barbecue grills? Think again. A versatile fuel source, propane can power refrigerators and other household appliances, swimming pools and hot tubs, laundry machines, and much more. It can even do things your local electrical grid can’t, such as power a back-up generator in the middle of a blackout. For homeowners who value independence, there’s no reason to not convert from electric to propane today.

Choose Heller’s Gas for Your Home Heating Needs

Whether it’s to the environment or to your own bank account, propane offers many benefits over other forms of home heating and energy. No fuel source is quite like propane, and no propane supplier is quite like Heller’s Gas.

Family-owned for more than 80 years, Heller’s Gas is proud to serve communities throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. Our customers aren’t just clients; they’re friends and neighbors. That’s why we make every effort to provide them with flexible payment plans, 24/7/365 emergency support, and convenient services such as remote tank monitoring and automated refill deliveries.

To learn more about what Heller’s Gas and propane can do for you, call us at 1-800-422-0560 now.

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When wintertime rolls around and your heating system is working overtime, these are all important factors to consider. Most important of all, however, is how well propane performs in cold weather.

Simply put, does propane freeze?

At Heller’s Gas, we’ve made it our mission to know every aspect of the propane business inside and out, from tank monitoring and equipment functionality to energy yield and, yes, even the propane freezing point. Below, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about how chilly temperatures impact propane performance and what you can do to keep your system in working order.

How Cold Weather Affects Propane

Because propane is stored in liquid form, only converting to gas when your heating system is in use, questions like “Can propane freeze?” are certainly valid. The answer to that question is “Yes, but…”

Yes, propane can freeze solid, just like water, but only at a temperature of -306 Fahrenheit. That’s 200 degrees colder than the lowest temperature ever recorded, which means you won’t be carving propane ice sculptures anytime soon. That said, when the temperature falls below -44, propane is unable to reach its boiling point and change from liquid to gas.

Since Pennsylvania’s all-time record low temperature sits at -44 (and that was in 1904) it is unlikely that Heller’s Gas customers have to worry about their tanks reaching the propane freezing point. Still, it is possible. Also possible, and much more probable, is the propane contracting in response to cold. This can cause a drop in tank pressure, which in turn results in poor performance.

How to Prevent Propane Freezing

Fortunately, there are a number of easy ways to protect your propane tanks from the effects of freezing temperatures.

First, it’s a good idea to keep your tank filled to at least 30% during the winter. Heller’s Gas makes it easy with a handy tank monitoring app that allows you to view your propane levels right on your phone. Additionally, customers who sign up for our automatic refill program can rest easy, as our employees can monitor your levels remotely and schedule convenient deliveries that you don’t even have to be home to allow.

Another good wintertime tip: remove any obstructions that block your tank from direct sunlight. Finally, your heating system’s vents, valves, piping, and regulators are all susceptible to cold damage. Thus, it’s important to clear away any snow or ice that accumulates around your propane tank.

Stay Warm in Winter with Heller’s Gas

Family owned since 1941, Heller’s Gas has proudly served the residential and commercial heating needs of customers throughout Pennsylvania for nearly 80 years. We’ve always strived to provide the best service possible, which is why we’ve stayed at the forefront of the industry with convenient, cutting-edge offerings like our automatic refill program, remote tank monitoring apps, and 24/7/365 emergency support.

With winter looming and temperatures falling, you need a propane supplier you can trust to keep your loved ones warm.

Whatever your needs, from residential to commercial to industrial to agricultural, Heller’s Gas can help. Call us today to discover how clean, safe, efficient, and affordable propane can change your life.

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How do you check your propane tank level, though? And what do you do when those levels get low?

At Heller’s Gas, we know there are multiple ways for the average homeowner to check their own propane tank levels. Below, we’ve outlined four of the simplest and most reliable methods for how to check the propane level in a large tank or a small one.

As for what you should do when you need a refill, we can help with that as well. With our flexible payment options and the freedom to schedule propane deliveries only when you need them—you don’t even have to be at home!—Heller’s Gas makes home heating easy, affordable, and stress-free.

3 Ways to Check Your Home’s Propane Tank Level

Download Our App!

Not everyone wants to mess around with bathroom scales and cups of water, and even those who have indicator gauges on their tanks may not want or be able to go outside to check them directly, especially during these cold, winter months Luckily, today’s technology means you don’t have to!Heller’s Gas is proud to offer its own innovative propane tank monitor app to customers with either iOS or Android devices. Simply download and install our app, and you’ll be able to view your tank’s current level from anywhere at any time. Even better, the app can also transmit level readings to our technicians, allowing you to sign up for automatic refills whenever your tanks run low.

Consult Your Tank’s Gauge

If you’re using a tank from Heller’s Gas, the quickest and most convenient way to check your propane tank level is to go outside and check the gauge. If your gauge is reading 80%, your tank is full leaving room for expansion and vaporization in the tank. If your gauge shows a tank level of 30% or lower, you should schedule a refill. 

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but not all tanks come with easy-to-read gauges. While tank rental from Heller’s Gas is always free, some customers prefer to use their own tanks.

The “Warm Water” Method

If precision isn’t a major concern for you, another way to check your propane tank level is the “warm water” method. This clever trick involves heating up a glass of water, dousing your tank with it, then running your hand up and down the length of the tank.

Because of the physical reaction between the warm water on the tank’s surface and the gas inside, you’ll actually be able to feel a cold spot at the tank’s fill level, providing you with a rough idea of just how long you have left before the next refill.

Heller’s Gas is Here to Serve All Your Propane Needs

Since 1941, we at Heller’s Gas have strived to provide our community with the very best home heating services, ensuring that you and your loved ones can stay warm and comfy on even the coldest nights.

Those services don’t begin and end at propane tank level monitoring and scheduling refills, either. We also provide home heating system installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement. And with emergency services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, you can rest assured that you’ll never be without heat or help when you need it most.Contact us today to learn more and get a free quote!

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Propane gas is safer, more cost-efficient, and better for the environment than natural gas.  At Heller’s Gas, we can help show you the benefits of using propane to fuel your home appliances instead of using natural gasses. With the assistance of our technicians, we can show you why Heller’s Gas has been the best place to buy a propane tank since 1941.

Read more to find out the top reasons why you should fuel your home appliances with propane instead of natural gas.

What’s The Difference Between Propane and Natural Gas?

Propane is part of natural gas. Raw natural gas is made up of a multitude of different gases such as propane, butane, ethane, and methane. To separate propane from the rest of the gases, natural gas is treated at gas-processing facilities.

When separated, the propane is stored and sold to propane gas dealers for use by consumers. With propane originating from natural gas, why should you choose one type of gas over the other?

Efficiency

Purchasing natural gas vs. purchasing propane comes with some major differences between the two. Natural gas is measured for delivery in terms of price per cubic foot, while propane cost is measured in price per gallon due to its liquid state. Propane can sometimes be a bit more expensive than natural gas. However, the overall price depends on where your house is located and how much you use your furnace. 

Propane and natural gas burn differently. Propane produces around two times the amount of heat than natural gas can produce. This means that you will be using two times as much natural gas to heat your home as you would use propane. Propane’s efficiency can offset its more expensive price, making it a leading candidate in how you should fuel your home furnace. 

If you are thinking about installing a propane tank onto your property, contact us here at Heller’s Gas. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with quality products at an affordable price.

Emissions

With environmental concern being such an important subject these days, you should be using the cleanest form of energy available to you. When natural gas is burned off, it emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases can damage the environment and contribute to the growing issue of global warming.

Propane, when burned, does not release any toxic or damaging gases of any kind. Propane is an environmentally friendly fuel before and after it is burned, making it the better choice for a fuel source.

The Best Place to Buy Propane

At Heller’s Gas, we offer both residential and commercial propane tank installations services. Our expertly trained and certified service technicians will help you with any propane and propane tank installation issues you have.

Heller’s customer support services are unmatched with 24/7/365 emergency service, flexible payment options, and auto-fill delivery services.

Find your local Heller’s Gas store today for the best place to buy a propane tank.

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