Propane Fire Pits: A Great Option for Your Home

As outdoor living spaces become a popular home feature, more and more homeowners are seeking out elements that can make their outdoor extensions more comfortable and enjoyable. In addition to your choice of furniture and hardscaping, another way to add character and enhance the ambiance of your outdoor living space is the addition of a propane fire pit. From a Mendota fireplace inside your home to an outdoor fire pit, fire features create great focal points to any space because they add a unique and practical feature that will allow you to better enjoy the comfort of indoor and outdoor spaces as you gather with your family or perhaps a company of friends. Not only do fire pits and fireplaces add a nice decorative feature to your living space, they also add warmth and function.

One of the main considerations you should make when deciding to mount a Mendota fireplace or install a fire pit in your property is the type of fuel source for the appliance. Typically, fire pits and fireplaces can be categorized into wood-burning and gas-powered types. Wood-burning fire pits make use of coal, wood, and other organic fuels for heating, while gas fire pits use natural gas or LPG/propane. There are many benefits to choosing gas fire pits, particularly propane-powered ones, not the least of which is the greater availability of propane services and suppliers everywhere in the country.

When choosing gas power, make sure that you have a propane service close by so you can have a constant supply of gas and easy access to maintenance as needed. Other benefits to choosing gas-powered fire pits include greater safety, as gas power is a lot easier to manage and regulate with a turn of a knob as opposed to feeding the right amount of wood or coal to a wood-burning pit. Gas fire pits and fireplaces also leaves far less residue than wood-burning alternatives, requiring less cleanup and maintenance.

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.

Learn the Top 5 Benefits of Converting from Oil to Propane

Are you still using oil for heating? Converting from oil to propane should be considered if you want to save money, experience convenience, keep your home safe, and enjoy a consistent and evenly heated household. Here is an overview of the top five benefits of switching from oil to propane:

• Cost-effective – The Department of Energy found that you could be paying twice the amount you would be paying for with propane by operating your heating systems with electricity. You could save about 30 percent each year by heating water with propane, too. On an average, propane-powered heaters last around 20 years, which is longer compared to the 14-year life span of most electric heat pumps.
• Efficient heating – They produce consistent heat that radiates throughout a room, too, so you do not have to rely anymore on supplemental heat sources, which could increase your energy consumption.
• Easily available – The US produces enough supply of propane to meet the increasing demand, and as long as you buy from a reputable supplier, you should never run out of fuel and count on reliable services, too, such as 24/7 emergency and repairs. Some LPG providers can help in converting from oil to propane, too.|
• Safe – Propane is a safe alternative fuel to gasoline and coal. While it is colorless and odorless, manufacturers add a distinct smell to the formulation for easy detection in case of leaks. The fuel is non-toxic and will not contaminate water or soil, too, and as long as you buy propane from a trusted supplier, you can be sure that the tank is highly regulated with safety mechanisms for preventing ruptures.
• Environmentally friendly – Propane is one of the cleanest burning fossil fuels approved in the 1990 Clean Air Act. Tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency showed that vehicles running on propane produce less carbon monoxide, smog, and toxins compared to gasoline-powered cars.

Find A Trustworthy and Secure LP Gas Supplier for Your Services

Propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a good option for running your heating, cooking, and clothes drying systems, equipment, or vehicles. The fuel is cost-effective to use in the long run, environmentally friendly, and efficient in powering your equipment and heating systems. The quality of the LPG delivery service you will choose can greatly affect your experience. Hence, it makes sense to choose only the best LPG gas suppliers that can guarantee excellent services and reasonable LP gas prices. Here are a few tips to help you find a secure and trustworthy LP gas supplier for your business:

• Find out their standing with the BBB – The Better Business Bureau is a good source for the LPG supplier’s history and reputation as a business. Choose an LPG delivery service that is rated A+.
• Look for a guarantee on their services – Make sure the LPG delivery service comes with a ‘never-run-out’ guarantee. Leading LPG gas suppliers provides incentives and bonuses if you run out of propane and they failed to deliver.
• Consider a one-stop shop for all your propane needs – You should not have to worry about looking for other service providers and LP gas prices pertaining to repairs and maintenance when go for LPG gas suppliers who provider repair services. Make sure they have qualified technicians who can conduct maintenance and repairs, too.
• Make sure they are available 24/7 – You can never tell when something will go wrong with your tank or if your propane equipment breaks down. Round-the-clock services ensure that you can count on their LPG delivery and repair services at any time, any day.

Read reviews – Find out what other customers are saying about the LPG gas suppliers and LP gas prices of a particular retailer. That way, you can verify the supplier’s claims.

How to Choose the Best Propane Gas Supplier Near You

To save money and time, it is recommended that you buy propane only from a single supplier. Once you find the right propane gas supplier near you, you can stop worrying about running out of fuel when you need it most, and you can save money in the long run with reasonably priced fuel. It is recommended that you buy propane from a provider nearest to you to avoid high delivery fees and to make sure that they can easily reach you when you need their help. Certain factors should help you decide which propane supplier is best for you. Here are some of them:

• The reputation of the propane gas supplier – Find out how long the company has been supplying propane in your area and identify its customers. Established suppliers are more than two decades old, and both residential and commercial clients alike trust them. Be sure to verify that reputation by looking up reviews and testimonials, and by going over their company history at the Better Business Bureau.
• The company’s safety records and programs – The propane gas supplier should be able to provide references, like regulatory agencies, which can prove their safety programs and record. Keep in mind that every state has a regulatory agency, which is responsible for regulating and overseeing the activities in the local propane industry. Verify the supplier’s safety programs and records with that agency.
• Payment and billing options – The best propane gas supplier understands that every customer will have unique requirements. Hence, they offer flexible billing and payment programs to suit every customer’s individual requirements. Go over their offers, such as budget plan that ensures equal monthly payments to eliminate market spikes, and an adjustable monthly payment plan that is based on your actual usage and the prices of propane.
• 24/7 emergency service – Make sure that the propane supplier is someone you can count on for any LPG-related matter, including repairs and emergencies. That way, you do not have to look further for another service provider in case your propane appliances break down or you suspect a leak.

Find Some Important Factors Which Effect Current Propane Prices

Propane is the byproduct of natural gas and crude oil production, and it is used by millions of Americans every day for household, commercial, and industrial purposes. It may sound simple and easy to figure out, but its pricing structure tends to be complicated, as there are certain factors that can affect and change them from time to time. You might be surprised the propane prices for residential customers are different from the prices meant for businesses. Hence, it makes good sense to compare the prices and services at least between two propane suppliers before settling for the cheapest and reliable provider. It helps to be familiar with the factors that affect current propane prices, too. Here are some of them:

• Crude oil prices – Propane’s prices may rise or go down depending on the price of crude oil, as the fuel is a byproduct of its production.
• The services and extra fees from the propane supplier – Some of the most common services and factors that can make the propane prices vary among different providers include automatic delivery, the budget payment plan, and fixed prices for a given period of time. For instance, some companies may charge per gallon if automatic delivery is part of your plan, but you order propane when your tank level has reached below 20 to 30 percent of the minimum. In that case, you should ask the provider the price per gallon for the delivery, while making sure that it is reasonable compared to national or state averages.

  The price of propane may be affected by factors like regulatory fees, tank rent, restocking fees, forklift minimum delivery, installation or diagnostic fees, late charges, and special delivery or emergency fees, too.

• Region, season, and climate – Propane prices tend to be higher in the cold season, particularly winter when more customers need propane for heating. LPG may be expensive in the summer or during special holidays like Independence Day or Thanksgiving when more people are cooking. You need to consider how far you are from the propane provider, too. The further you are from the source the higher the price of delivery will be. Hence, it is advisable to buy propane from a local or a nearby provider.

What Are the Major Factors That Affects Residential Propane Prices?

Ever wondered why residential propane prices fluctuate at times? You might be surprised with sudden price spikes that can endanger your budget for a month. Hence, it is important to know and understand the major factors that can affect the prices of residential propane and consider buying LP gas only from a reliable provider that can provide the most cost-effective custom monthly payment plan. Here are the factors that can affect residential propane prices:

• Supply and demand – Weather, inventory levels, production, and timing can affect the price of residential propane. More households need propane in the winter, resulting in a level of scarcity that can cause surges in prices. Likewise, if the fuel is in high demand in another state, it will affect the prices in other areas, too.

• Fees from the propane provider – Sometimes, residential propane prices can be surprisingly higher or lower depending on the provider due to the costs that are part of the service. Hence, it is important to buy propane only from a provider who can be transparent with all the fees that are included in your monthly bill. Some of these fees may include automatic delivery, tank rent, delivery fee, regulatory fees, installation, and late charges. There could be fees related with diagnostics, early termination, emergency services, and returned checks, too.

• The prices of crude oil – Keep in mind that propane comes from the production of crude oil. Hence, it makes sense for residential propane prices to spike when crude oil prices increase. However, the increase will not be equal to the price of crude oil.

• Your proximity to the source – The closer you are to the distribution point the lower residential propane prices will be. More than 90 percent of the propane used in the US is domestically produced, and the rest comes from Canada.

The Top 5 Benefits Of Propane Home Heating

Heating your home with propane is both environmentally and economically practical. In fact, if you are looking to save money in the long run, propane may help reduce your heating costs while enabling you to go green. The Department of Energy revealed that you could be paying twice the amount if you operate your furnace with electricity instead of LPG. Apart from obvious savings, here are five other benefits of propane home heating:

• It is environmentally friendly – Propane is a clean burning fossil fuel approved by the 1990 Clean Air Act. The US Environmental Protection Agency tested it and found that vehicles that use propane produce 30 to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and 50 percent less smog-producing emissions and toxins compared to gasoline. By running your home heating with propane, you are reducing your carbon footprint. LPG is nontoxic, too, so it will not harm water or soil.

• Propane can heat water faster – On average, propane lets you reheat an entire tank of water in just 20 minutes, which is very fast compared to an electric tank that could take up to an hour to accomplish the same task. Propane can save you money on heating based on BTU as well.

• Propane home heating is more comfortable and consistent – Running your heating systems with propane will provide a consistent air supply that will not make your room feel stuffy. They are capable of heating an entire room quickly, so you do not have to worry about drafty areas. You can be sure to still have heat in the event of a power outage.

• Propane heating appliances last longer – Appliance Magazine stated that a propane gas furnace can have a two-decade lifespan on average, compared to electric heat pumps that can last only about 14 years. It costs less to have a propane furnace repaired compared to an electric heater as well.

• Energy efficient – You can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs by up to 68 percent when you heat your home with propane appliances. A propane furnace that has an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) of 95 and above can produce warmer air.

 

Know The Factors That Affect Current Propane Prices

Running your appliances on propane may help you save money in the long run since they are known to be more energy efficient compared to electric-powered appliances. However, certain factors may cause you to doubt the savings aspect of using propane. For this reason, it is crucial to identify the factors that may affect current propane prices. Knowing these factors should help you choose the right propane provider and choose the right payment plan:

• Prices of crude oil and natural gas – Propane is a byproduct of crude oil and natural gas manufacturing, so its price is likely to fluctuate based on the changes in the prices of those fuels.

• The weather – Propane prices will increase when it is cold as more people will be ordering the fuel. Likewise, weather may affect production, which tends to slow down during the colder months.

• Supply and demand – Propane tends to be pricier when it is cold or in the winter months, since more people need it for heating. Inventory and production levels will affect the pricing, too. However, as long as you buy propane from the right provider, you should not have to worry about a LP gas shortage and high propane prices.

• Your proximity to the supply – Prices will be lower if you live near the source, so be sure to buy propane only from local providers. You may want to consider automatic delivery as well.

• The services of the supplier – Certain services from your propane supplier may cause the price of LPG to become higher. These include fees like tank rental, regulatory dues, systems leak testing costs, installation fees, emergency service fees, and late charges. When requesting a quote from a propane supplier, be sure that they are able to provide a breakdown of the expenses and services, so you know exactly what you are paying for.

 

What To Know About Buying Propane Gas

When buying propane, it makes sense to be a smart and savvy shopper, ensuring you are paying the right price for the product and service. Doing your homework and researching all options are recommended if you want to know which propane company is best for your needs and your budget. Avoid companies that are likely to scam you out of your hard-earned money. Refer to this list of “dos and don’ts” when buying propane gas to learn what to avoid and what you should do:

• Do find out about the company – Before anything else, be sure to look up the company and learn their background. Find out how long they have been providing propane in your area, what type of company it is, and the types of customers it serves. Consider a family-owned and operated business that has been delivering propane services to your area for at least a decade. Some of the best companies have been serving the US for more than 60 years.
• Do not buy propane based on the price alone – When buying propane gas, be sure to look into other factors like the quality and reliability of the service.

• Do compare at least two propane service providers in your area – Compare companies based on what other customers have to say about their services and prices, as well as their reliability. Verify their safety records and programs, and make sure they are accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

• Do not ignore what other customers have to say about the propane gas provider – Look up customer feedback and testimonials to see if it is worth buying propane gas from a particular provider. That way, you can avoid unreliable delivery services and scams.
• Do look for other value-added services – Consider buying propane gas from a company that offers 24/7 emergency services, maintenance, and repair. That way, you do not have to look further when you need other services that are related to propane.

• Do not forget to ask for a breakdown of costs – Signing up for a monthly payment plan can be practical when buying propane gas for an entire year, but be sure that the provider is transparent with its costs. That way, you know exactly what you are paying for.