Questions to Ask Prior To Hiring A New Propane Gas Company

The process of choosing a new propane gas company can be overwhelming, since you need to compare experience, dependability, and the cost of their service. As much as possible, you want to hire only the best propane companies in your area. Asking the right questions can help you discern which service provider is right for you. The answers can reveal certain details that will help you make an informed decision. Here are the things that you should ask:

• Do you have incentives or fees for new customers? – Learn about tank rental, installation, and delivery fees. An LPG supplier may provide some services for free, which can help you save money. Some propane companies offer incentives that may offset on-boarding costs. So, be sure to ask about them, especially if you are switching from one company to another. They may be willing to beat the price of your old provider and give you a lower payment plan for each month.
• What are your budget and payment plans? – LPG is price-based, but it is not practical to hire propane companies based solely on that factor. You could end up buying cheap fuel from a low-quality provider. So, instead of asking for the prices, ask what the company can do to make payments easier in the long run. Some companies offer a good monthly payment plan that can be adjusted based on your actual usage and propane prices.
• Do you offer other services – Propane companies will not only deliver propane. The best ones offer 24/7 emergency services, repair, and maintenance. That way, you don’t have to look further for other service providers when it comes to issues related to your LPG appliances and tanks. Consider a propane company that can help monitor your usage as well.

Top 5 Reasons for Propane Inspections

Propane gas distributors perform regular gas safety inspections to ensure that your propane tanks and system are working properly. These tests are basic precautionary measures for the proper maintenance of your gas system. In a propane inspection, professionals make arrangements to look at your propane tank’s meter, emergency control valve, and all other system components to make sure they are in good working condition. All points where gas leaves and enters are also inspected to make sure they are free from damage and do not pose any danger to users.

It is important that you choose propane gas distributors that provide comprehensive inspection services on a regular basis. This is especially true for customers that use underground tanks. Leased tanks that constantly go in and out of propane gas distributor facilities are regularly checked for quality and safety. But, customer owned tanks and underground installations, keeping a close eye on the quality of these facilities will not be possible without regular inspections. Propane tank inspections are important not only to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations that require to have propane tanks checked and periodically re-qualified by certified professionals, but also to ensure the general safety of the system. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should subscribe to regular propane inspections by propane gas distributors:

1. To check for leaks and damages that may cause dangerous propane leakage.
2. To check for corrosion along with electrical conductivity on the propane tank surface, valves, regulator, and other tank fittings. Left unchecked, tank corrosion may cause your tank to fail, which can lead to more safety concerns.
3. To check for gouges and dents that may compromise the tank’s structural integrity.
4. To perform pressure checks to maintain appropriate gauge levels.
5. To replace relief valve and other components like the regulator to ensure top performance and safety.

What to Ask a Propane Gas Dealer Before Buying Gas

Shopping for the right propane dealer to provide you with regular service is something that should be done with great thought. With propane ads all promising the best quality service, how do you know which supplier is right for your needs and will give you the greatest bang for your buck? While price per gallon is a good yardstick to compare suppliers through, it doesn’t offer a very accurate picture of what service will be like, especially since propane prices tend to fluctuate over time. If you intend to start a long-term partnership with a propane dealer, here are some critical questions you should be asking your prospect suppliers:

• Do you provide automatic delivery? Propane delivery is often based on two systems, a fixed delivery schedule to keep clients from ever running out of gas, or a “wait for your call” approach, where it is your responsibility to keep up with your supply and call for delivery when you need a refill. A propane dealer will give you either options and let you decide which will be more convenient for your usage cycle. If you want the best value and the assurance of never running out of propane when you most need it, an automatic delivery system is recommended.

• Do you charge for tank rental? Some companies will charge minimal rental charge or fee for propane tanks. This is to cover service and maintenance of equipment. Others incorporate the cost into the price of the propane itself. Regardless of the pricing scheme that your prospect propane dealer uses, these extra charges are a good indication of how much they care about providing you with the best service and the safest equipment possible.

• What payment options do you offer? Ask about payment schemes that can help you keep your costs manageable. Most companies offer credit or cash on delivery options.