Try out these five ways to save energy costs this winter.

Update Your Insulation

One common problem many homes have that causes homeowners to use more energy to heat their homes is poor insulation. If your home isn’t well-insulated, you could be throwing money away on heating your home every winter. Some areas of your home where you might need more insulation include the attic, basement, and garage if it’s connected to the rest of your home. However, you may also want to look into insulating all of the exterior walls in your home as well. Depending on what and how many areas of your home you’re insulating, this can be a big investment, but it’s worth it and will help you save money every year. 

Fix Drafty Spots

Even if you’ve already invested in new insulation in your home, you still might be losing heat in smaller areas. Many homes have drafty spots all over that let the cold air in, especially older homes. Windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed can let in a lot of cold air, which will only waste the energy you’re using to keep those rooms warm. Fortunately, you can quickly and inexpensively fix this problem without having to buy all new windows and doors. There are many ways you can insulate windows yourself, like applying caulking, insulation, or even buying heavier curtains for the winter. For drafty doors, try using draught snakes that keep the cold from getting in but still make it easy for you to open and close the doors. 

Lower Your Thermostat

Some like to keep their homes toasty warm over the winter, but if you want to lower your energy bill, this is something you’ll need to stop doing. If you want to save money, you should try lowering your thermostat. Keeping your home a little cooler and wearing warmer clothes inside instead can make a big difference. You should also start lowering your thermostat while you’re sleeping or out of the house when you don’t need it to be as high as normal.

Maintain Your Heating System

Anyone who wants to save money on energy costs needs to ensure that their heating system is well-maintained. If you have any problems with your heating system that you aren’t aware of, you could be paying a lot more to heat your home without realizing it. This can cause your heating system to work harder than it would normally have to, just to give you the same results. Getting regular maintenance for your heating system ensures that it’s in good condition and is running as efficiently as possible. This can also help it last longer, so you can get your money’s worth out of what you already have.

Switch to a More Energy-Efficient Heat Source

If you really want to lower your energy costs while heating your home, switching to a more energy-efficient heat source could be the solution you need. Some heating systems require a lot of energy to heat your home, while others can give you the same outcome without using as much energy. Propane is an energy-efficient way of heating your home that could help your cut costs over time. At Heller’s Gas, we can help you with everything you need to switch over to propane, like home deliveries and propane tank monitoring. 

Contact us to learn more about how you can save energy with propane and how Heller’s Gas can help.

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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.

The post Can Propane Freeze? appeared first on Heller's Gas.

Since 1941, Heller’s Gas has served customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond and is proud to offer automatic delivery, tank monitoring, live customer service agents, online portal, and much much more! We know that questions often arise about propane safety when snow starts to fall, so we’ve prepared some simple advice that will help protect you and your loved ones when winter’s worst hits.

4 Winter Safety Tips for Propane Users

1. Mark Your Tank

Depending on where your propane tank is located, it’s not uncommon it to become partially or fully covered by snow during a winter storm. Even if not completely buried, it can be surprisingly easy to lose track of where exactly your tank is.

This can be a real problem when you need to remove accumulated ice, make an adjustment, or schedule a fill. That’s why Heller’s Gas recommends customers mark the location of their tanks with a tall, brightly colored flag, stake, or pole ahead of the storm.

2. Inform Plow Operators

Although propane is one of the safest fuel sources available, it can still pose a danger when treated irresponsibly. That’s part of why marking the location of tanks is key to propane safety.

It’s also why it’s a good idea to inform local snowplow operators and any contractor you employ to clear snow from your property that you use propane and note where your tank is located. 

3. Shovel a Path to Your Tank

If you are scheduled to get a fill during or after a snowfall, kindly shovel a path to the tank for our delivery drivers. If you are not able, please inform our office before the driver arrives. 

4. Remove Ice & Snow with Care

It’s important to keep your tank free of ice and snow to ensure deliveries can be made, but there are also scientific reasons that make this a top priority. 

Since propane tanks are pressurized containers, a collision with one can be hazardous, as described above. Also, leaving tanks covered can cause the propane inside to contract, resulting in pressure loss and poor performance. Finally, ice and snow can damage the valves, vents, piping, and regulators. After heavy snowfall, carefully remove any accumulations on or around your tank. Beware of snow and ice falling onto your tanks from your roof. Use care around your tank to prevent damage.

Heller’s Gas Helps You Heat Your Home

As a family-owned business, Heller’s Gas has always prioritized the care and well-being of our customers. You can rest assured that our experienced and professional employees take propane safety seriously. Whether you’re switching to propane or are a long-time propane user, Heller’s Gas has you covered!

Call us today to learn about our flexible payment options, automatic refill program, tank monitoring, fireplace installations, and much much more!

The post Propane Safety and Preparing for Winter Snowfall appeared first on Heller's Gas.

For nearly 80 years, Heller’s Gas has been the premier go-to company for residential propane delivery, commercial supplies, and propane-fueled fireplaces throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. With decades of experience under our belts, no one understands the relationship between propane tanks and cold weather better.

Here are some essential propane safety tips we at Heller’s Gas recommend during these chilly winter months.

Keep Your Gas Supply Up to Date

It’s hard to imagine a worse time of year to realize your propane tank is running low or, worse yet, is empty than in the dead of winter. An unheated home isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also cause serious complications, such as frozen and burst water pipes.

Fortunately, Heller’s Gas has options to help ensure you have gas when you need it most! We recommend customers enroll in automatic delivery or remote tank monitoring so we can track your usage trends and schedule fills based on that information. Because no system is perfect, it’s important that customers continually monitor their tank levels and call if they find that they are at a critically low level.

Create an Emergency Plan

Work with your family to create a plan in the event of a winter storm. It’s important to post contact information for emergency services and utility companies. Keep our emergency number handy: 1-800-422-0560.

You should also post instructions for turning off your propane, electricity, and water. Please note that if you turn off your propane, you will need to contact our customer service team and they will dispatch one of our highly trained and qualified service technicians to inspect your system before turning it back on.

Install a UL-Listed Gas Detector

To better prepare for any potential damage, install a UL-listed gas detector in your home, which will notify you if a leak ever occurs. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to installation, location, and maintenance.

Plan for Communications

Keep a battery-powered radio handy, so you always have a way to receive updates on weather conditions. As storms approach, it’s also smart to charge up your smartphones, so you have an additional tool for communication through a long power outage. You can even consider purchasing a propane generator so you always have reliable power, even during blackouts.

Clear Ice & Snow from All Equipment

Heavy snowfall can result in propane tanks becoming all but buried. For this reason, it’s a good idea to mark the area where your tank is located to make it easier for our team to find later. More importantly, one of the most crucial propane safety measures of all is to clear your propane tank of ice and snow regularly and create a clear path to the tank.

Ice and snow can prevent adequate ventilation–leading to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide–as well as damage regulators, gauges, valves, pipes, and tubing.

When in Doubt, Call the Experts

If you sense danger, your utility company, fire department, and propane supplier have expert training, and should handle any potentially dangerous situations with your home’s systems. Additionally, if a storm damages your property, it’s a good idea to have one of our qualified service technicians perform a complete inspection of your propane system, to ensure no harmful damage was done.

Stay Warm this Winter with Heller’s Gas

Whether you need to refill your tank or you’re looking for someone to repair your system after suffering winter wear and tear, there’s no one better equipped to help you with all your home heating needs than Heller’s Gas. Sharing our knowledge of propane safety is just one of many ways we hope to make your experience with us the absolute best you’ll ever have.

Heller’s Gas offers quick, convenient, and flexible residential and commercial propane delivery, installation, and maintenance services designed to fit your schedule and your budget. Contact us today and let us keep you warm on those cold winter nights.

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