Don’t Ignore These Symptoms of a Gas Leak in Your Home

Winter has arrived, and with it comes freezing temperatures and snowy forecasts. You may see an increase in your propane consumption during this time of the year and with it, the danger of gas leaks.

Although propane gas leaks can occur at any time of the year, the severe winter weather we experience here in Northeast Pennsylvania can cause more to occur. And it’s important to know what symptoms to look for when you think a leak has happened in your home.

 

The Symptoms of a Gas Leak

A Bad Odor: The most obvious sign of a propane gas leak is the odor. Although propane itself has no odor, many propane manufacturers add a chemical to the gas that produces a “rotten egg” smell.

A Hissing Noise: Another sign of a gas leak is a distinct hissing or whistling sound near the gas line. You may also see a cloud of dust near the whistling noise.

Dead Plants: Not only will your shrubs and grass suddenly turn brown, but your houseplants could be dying due to lack of oxygen in the air.

Flame Color: If you have a gas stove or fireplace, keep an eye on the flames’ color. Typically, the flames should be blue; but if they’re orange or yellow, the cause may be leaking gas.

Physical Symptoms: With a reduction of oxygen in the air, you’ll begin to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The most common symptoms include nausea, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, breathing difficulties, and much more.

 

Checking the Tank for Leaks: The Soap Test

The easiest way to find out if you have a leak is by checking the propane tank. Although it’s best to have a professional check for leaks, you can try the soap test on your propane tank if you’re still unsure. Here’s what you need to do: First, apply soapy water to where the propane tank’s cylinder valve and regular outlet connect. Then, slowly open the cylinder valve. If bubbles begin to form, then you have a leak.

 

What Do You Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak?

The first thing you need to do is put out any open flames immediately. Also, you don’t want to operate any appliances, lights, or even use your phone. Leave the area immediately, and remember to shut off the gas if it’s safe to do so. As soon as you’re secure, contact your propane retailer or emergency services right away. Do not return to the area until a technician checks your system to ensure all leaks are taken care of.

 

Keystone Propane is Here to Help

Keystone Propane, Inc. is available 24/7 to protect our customers in the event of a gas leak. We will check your system, correct any problems, and will let you know when it’s safe to return to your home. To us, our customers are much more than numbers — they’re family.

If you have any questions about our propane products or service, contact us today. We here to help.

Benefits of Propane Gas Logs For Your Home

Nights and mornings are becoming much cooler and a nice sit by the fireplace is what many look forward to this time of year. If you’re avoiding lighting the fireplace due to the cleanup, we have a solution and the benefits for you! Using propane gas is not only safer, but it’s also better for the environment. Continue reading for more benefits of propane gas fireplaces.

 

Propane Fireplaces Are Better For The Environment

Since there is less fuel needed to ignite, this means there is less of an environmental impact. Propane also burns much cleaner than wood. This allows for fewer carbon emissions with a propane fireplace insert. Ultimately, you’re saving the environment and your family in one simple switch!

 

A Safer Option

As you may know, open fires often have risks and dangers. Wood can collapse, embers can fly through your home causing a bigger fire in an unwelcomed area, and blown-back smoke. Creosote buildup in poorly kept chimneys can also cause larger fires. All of these problems can be eliminated with a propane gas log.

 

More Cost-Efficient

A propane fireplace insert is roughly 30% more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces. This means by switching to propane you’ll spend nearly 30% less to experience the same time by the fire. Propane gas logs can be used in your current fireplace, so no additional construction is even needed!

 

Extremely Convenient

Start enjoying the warmth of your fireplace without ever needing to gather wood or clean up ashes again! Easily turn on a switch and you can start enjoying your fire.

 

If we have convinced you of all the pros of propane fireplaces contact us today so we can get your fireplace switched to propane heat! We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Happy Fall and stay warm from Keystone Propane!

Extend Outdoor Fun With Propane

Nights will become cooler, and soon will the days, but your summer fun doesn’t need to come to an end just yet! There are many propane gas accessories to enhance your outdoor season way beyond when temperatures start to fall at the end of the summer and early fall months. Luckily, Keystone Propane can help provide you with the gear your home needs and quality propane to keep your outdoor fun lasting far past the autumn months and even into early winter.

A family favorite for cool summer nights and early fall is sitting around an outdoor propane fire pit. Propane fire pits can keep the chill away without the worry about creating a mess. Fires are also much easier to contain and safer to have for near your home. Easy to install and can be transported anywhere you go, it will be a great addition to both your backyard and your next camping trip! Keystone Propane can provide you with the perfect outdoor fire pit for your backyard and the tank of propane you’ll need to fire it up!

Enjoy cooking with fire no matter what time of year it is? Then a propane grill is for you! Propane grills are great to use any time of the year. Stay warm while you’re cooking up your favorites on the grill which instantly gives you the taste of summer! Propane grills are easier to maintain and clean especially when using grilling plates or using our easy-to-clean propane grilling accessories. The perfect way to keep those summer months going long after August.

Perhaps your patio is your favorite oasis. Don’t let the cold air keep you away! Outdoor propane patio heaters can keep you cozy, warm, and relax while enjoying the outdoors with loved ones. Perfect for your home patio or outside of your business. Keystone Propane can help you get the propane you need.

So whether it’s a crisp summer night or cool fall day, propane can enhance your outdoor experience to keeps your love of the outdoors continuing throughout the cooler seasons. Give Keystone Propane a call today to learn more about how we can help with your propane needs. And if you’re interested in seeing what propane products we have available, remember to stop by our showroom today!

Propane Contactless Delivery with Keystone Propane

Contactless delivery is a term that has grown with popularity during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Other terms have also become more popular such as social distancing, lockdown, quarantine, etc. Luckily, we do and always have provided contactless propane delivery for our customers. Here are the few easy steps you can take to receive contactless propane refills or delivery.

 

Sign into Keystone Propane Customer Portal

First, as you would with any refill or delivery, sign in to the customer portal to schedule your delivery. You can do this from your computer or using our Keystone Propane app!

 

Keystone Propane Prepares for Delivery

Our dedicated staff receives your contactless propane delivery request and is ready to deliver your propane delivery or refill. We will call if we have any questions with your request.

 

Contactless Propane Delivery

Next, our team comes to your home or business and delivers your propane. You can pay online or on the Keystone Propane app. We fill your tank without contact, keeping both you and our team safe!

 

Leave a Review

If you’ve enjoyed your experience with us or want to let us know how we can improve our contactless propane delivery, leave us a review on Google or Facebook!

 

It’s really that simple! Our top priority is the safety of our customers. That’s why you should call us if you ever smell a leak, have questions, or would like us to deliver propane without contact. This pandemic is a learning curve for everyone and we pride ourselves in putting the needs of our customers first. For more information on how Keystone Propane can help you, visit our FAQs and safety pages on our website. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Lower Home Expenses While Working Remote

Now that some of us have been been working from home for a few months, it’s likely you’ve seen your water or energy bills start to creep up in price. You’re now cooking lunches at home, using more water for coffee, cooking, washing hands, etc. Additionally, you’re computer, lights, and tv’s are getting more use than normal. There are several ways you can cut back on expenses while working remotely. Here are five tips from Keystone Propane:

 

  1. When your phone, tablet, or laptop is fully charged, unplug it from the wall. Most chargers will continue to use energy even when they aren’t connected or charging your devices.
  2. Cooking more at home? Propane-fuelled cooktops and ovens offer instant and complete heat control. This makes cooking faster and more precise compared to other conventional cooking appliances. Due to quicker heat-up times, a gas stove can save you 10% to 30% to operate over an electric stove. Propane gas stoves will also allow you to cook in the event of an emergency power outing.
  3. Use sleep mode on your devices! Using your computer’s sleep mode or power management features can ultimately save you up to $50 a year. Even more, if you will not be using your computer or device for more than two hours, energy.gov suggests turning it off completely.
  4. You’re using more water. Whether it seems like it or not, your water consumption is rising while working remotely. Plus with the added precautions being taken in washing hands more often, the hot water will be running more often. Did you know a propane water heater can save you a significant amount of money on your bills each month? The average propane heater lasts about a decade longer than your electric water heating pumps as well. You won’t have to worry about maintaining and replacing your tank for many years!
  5. When your heating or cooling system is running, close the windows. Don’t waste your money or energy by literally throwing it out the window! If the temperature is nice outside, turn off your heating or cooling and open windows to save even more money!

 

Switching to propane in your home can save you money whether you’re currently working from home or not! While saving money, propane is also eco-friendly. Since propane is a light and simple hydrocarbon, it is easily one of the cleanest burning fossil fuels.  Additionally, propane is non-toxic. This means it will not harm soil or water or endanger the environment. If you have questions about switching to propane for your home contact Keystone Propane today!

 

5 Safety Tips for Propane Grilling

As June quickly approaches, you’ve likely already started your grilling season. Most safety tips for propane grilling may just need some common sense, but there are some safety precautions you may not have considered. Keystone Propane wants you to stay safe this summer with few tips to protect you and your family.

Never turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed.

Turning on the gas while the lid is closed causes the gas to build up inside your grill. This can cause a fireball to ignite and explode right in your face. It’s important to open the lid of the grill check for anything on the grill as well before igniting, so this should be a normal part of your grilling routine.

Do not overload the grill with food.

If too much fat drips down on the flames at once, it will cause flames to increase and can ultimately light nearby objects on fire. It’s especially important to not overload with particularly fatty meats that will cause more grease drippings.

Check your grill’s gas line for leaks.

There’s a simple at-home solution you can try to find gas leaks in your gas grill’s line. Make a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rub it on the hoses and connections. Next, turn your gas on with your grill lid open! If you spot large bubbles on the line or connections, that’s a sign that your hoses have tiny holes in it or that your connections are not secure. If you need assistance or help with your leaks contact Keystone Propane immediately.

Keep items to fight fires nearby.

It’s important to keep a fire extinguisher and spray bottle of water nearby while cooking. For smaller fires, a spray bottle can lower the flames without ruining your food. For flames that become out of control, use the fire extinguisher. Make sure you know how to use the fire extinguisher. Trying to figure out how to use it in an emergency can cause worse damage to your grill and put you and your loved ones in danger of bodily harm. If you’re unsure how to use it or are having an issue. Call 911 right away for assistance.

Never leave a lit grill unattended.

An out-of-control fire can double in size every minute. Be sure to plan the rest of your meal ahead of time so that you can focus your attention on grilling. Even if you can see your grill from inside your kitchen a grill fire can ignite fast and you need to handle it quickly.

As you can see, not being prepared for safety when grilling can lead to a multitude of problems. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer.

Need a new grill? Take advantage of our $250 off Napoleon Grills this month only!

5 Family Activities to Do During Quarantine

During this difficult time of social distancing and staying home in quarantine with family it can be difficult to think of new activities to share with one another. While this time is hard, it’s an opportunity to bring families closer together as well. Here are some of our favorite activities you can do at home with family while quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic or anytime!

  1. Sitting around your propane fireplace and reading a book together. Find a book everyone can enjoy and take turns reading and enjoying some screen-free moments together while staying warm and enjoying your propane fireplace’s glow.
  2. Gather your family for a different type of fireside chat. Sit around your propane firepit outside and roast marshmallows and play a card game. Enjoy laughs and delicious treats while spending quality time with your family.
  3. Build your own kabobs to grill on your propane gas grill. Get all the fixings cut up. Include steak, chicken, seafood, peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, pineapple, and more! The possibilities are endless. They’ll love building their own delicious creation and you’ll love grilling on your propane grill.
  4. Use your Big Green Egg to create your family’s own pizza. Set out all the toppings and let everyone decorate the pizza with their favorite meats and veggies. Use your Big Green Egg deep dish pizza stone to create the tastiest pizza to share with your family.
  5. Have an electric free night. Turn off all the lights and electronics, light your propane fireplace and light some candles. Tell scary or funny stories depending on your preference. A great way to interact with family and bond.

If you’re looking for any of these awesome propane items to help enhance your time at home with family. Contact the propane experts at Keystone Propane! We are here to help during this difficult time.

Preparing Your Grill for Spring Grilling

If you weren’t one of the few who braved the colder temperatures to grill your meals during the winter months, it may be time to pull the grill out of hibernation and prepare it for the season ahead! Even if you have used the grill a few times throughout the winter, it’s a good practice to clean and do a few safety checks to prepare for the spring and summer grilling seasons. Here are a few tips on how to best prep your grill!

 

Prep Your Cleaning Supplies

Start this process by gathering all the supplies you may need. A pail of soap and warm water, a sponge, paper towels, and a good grill scrub brush are all cleaning necessities. Be sure to have tools on hand for taking a part grill for easy cleaning. Some other things to have on hand just in case are a spatula, stainless steel cleaner, degreaser, and some fine sandpaper.

 

Clean and Scrub Your Grill

Start by taking grates off of your grill and cleaning them well with soap and water. We don’t recommend doing this frequently, a good clean start to your grilling season is always important. If it’s been a year or more since the last clean you may need to soak them. A proper clean will keep food from sticking when you fire up the grill.

Another easy cleaning trick can help reduce your elbow grease. By spraying the grates with equal parts of vinegar and water and waiting for about an hour, all grease and gunk will easily scrub away.

 

Inspect Parts On Your Grill

First, take apart as much of your grill as you can and clean both the inside and outside with soap and warm water using a strong bristled brush. Pay special attention to areas with a lot of grease build-up. It may even be helpful to use a citrus-based degreaser for the toughest greasy spots and don’t forget the grease tray.

Inspect your grill’s burners for any holes. Any burners with holes should be replaced immediately. Also, examine any tubes for spiders that may have found a home during cooler weather! It’s important to not forget to check around the air vents on your grill as well. Remove any debris to ensure free airflow and limit any fire hazards.

 

Check And Test Grill Ignition

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your grill, reinstall the burners. Replace any batteries if you have battery-powered ignition. For battery ignitions, it is always a good practice to replace old batteries with new ones. If you have a Napoleon Grill with the JETFIRE™ Ignition System, it’s also very important to doublecheck all electrode leads and ensure the tips of the electrodes are clean. Thoroughly check and make sure that they do not have grease or rust buildup on them if they do, you can use fine-grit sandpaper to gently buff them.

 

Fill Your Grill’s Propane Tank

Lastly, make sure your propane tank is full and ready to start grilling. It’s always best to have an extra tank on hand in case one runs out mid-grill! Contact Keystone Propane to learn more about how we can assist in all your home or business propane needs!

Have you completed all these tips and realized it’s just time for a new grill? Keystone Propane can help with that too! Check out our selection of propane gas grills!

Which Space Heater Is Right For Me?

Transform any space in your home into a warm and cozy oasis for all to enjoy! Whether it’s your garage, basement, closed-in porch, or even your living room, a space heater helps enhance the comfortable feeling you’ve been searching for.

Vent-Free Space Heaters

Vent-free propane space heaters do not need venting or ductwork to run and operate. They are the more cost-efficient of the space heaters and allow for greater flexibility with the installation since they do not need access to an external wall or outdoor venting.

While this is a great bonus of the vent-free space heaters, the downside is the combustion fumes are then vented inside your home or space. While this sounds intense, it is safe, but may affect individuals who are sensitive to smell or have certain allergies.

There are two types of vent-free propane gas heaters: infrared and blue flame. Both models are very efficient (usually 99 percent or more) and use about the same amount of gas to produce the same amount of overall heat.

  • Infrared vent-free space heaters use propane gas to heat up ceramic panels which in turn radiate the heat. These panels radiate heat to the room rather than heating the air. This makes the heat very targeted, so if standing in front of the radiated heat waves you’ll get warm very quickly.
  • Blue flame space heaters warm the air in the room by convection. The blue flame heater can take longer to heat an entire room as it’s heating the air rather than reflecting heat directly, but it will produce a more consistent temperature throughout the room. If your space is insulated, a blue flame heater is probably what you should go with!

Direct Vent Space Heaters

Direct vent propane space heaters are ductless systems that provide an economical and modest alternative to installing a traditional furnace or boiler. These heaters use outdoor air to heat an area or room. Any fumes from combustion are then vented to the outside by way of a small tube.

Some pros to direct vent space heaters include:

  • Its easy installation includes a simple one-hole venting system and no ductwork. Most installation services can be done in one day.
  • They are easy to operate. Direct vent heaters have programmable thermostats that allow you to adjust actions based on usage.
  • Precision heating offers the ability to vary heat intensity and fan speed and can make temperature changes as little as 1°F
  • The duct-free operation makes these heaters less expensive to install and conserve than a traditional furnace or boiler.

Both options are great to heat your home or cool area. Currently, Keystone Propane is offering 29% off all Empire vent-free space heaters in stock! Hurry up and take advantage before this offer ends on February 29, 2020!

Contact Keystone Propane for more information on how we can help you choose the perfect space heater and to learn more about the products in stock for our Leap Year Sale! Our team of experts will help you find the perfect propane solutions for your home or business.

Save Money at Home In The New Year

It’s a new year, a new decade, a fresh start. Most of us are starting to put together our resolutions and goals into action for the new year. A popular one among most people is cutting back on expenses in their home. Here are 5 suggestions on how you can cut back the monthly bills this year.

5 Ways to Save Money at Home In The New Year

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Did you know that turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees while you’re at work or away can save you as much as 10% a year on cooling and heating for your home! If a programmable thermostat is not available or in the budget, start making it part of your morning routine to turn back the thermostat. When you get home you can feel out the temperature and adjust it back to what is most comfortable. With the programmable thermostat, you can set the temp to change about 30 min before you arrive home so you’re welcomed with a comfortable temperature.

Turn off the Lights

It’s easy to leave lights on when moving about your home. Start getting in the habit of turning lights out when leaving each room. Leaving a lamp on all day every day will add up over time. Also, try to get in the routine of checking all lights are off before leaving your home. A quick sweep of the house will end up saving you money in the long run!

Switch to Propane Gas

Heating a home in the U.S. with propane has cost far less than heating with electricity according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Propane water heaters can cost one-third less to use and recover water twice as quickly as electric water heaters over time. Also, on average, propane furnaces normally last 5-10 years longer than electric heating pumps.

A propane gas furnace normally heats air to about 130°F – 140°F and runs in short intervals to minimize utility costs. Electric heating units produce heat below body temperature or 98.6°F. This is why the air coming from the heating vent actually feels cool to the human touch if you place your hand in front of it.

Check Home Insulation

When is the last time you have checked the insulation in your home? You know, all that fun fluffy stuff in your walls? Save up to 15% of your annual utility bills by making sure your home is air sealed tight and insulated! A home that isn’t insulated well is essentially heating the neighborhood and their home, as heating and cooling will find ways to escape in the outdoors. Also, cooling or heating units in your home may be working harder to service your home when the air is escaping.

Unplug Unused Devices

Who else leaves countless electrical devices plugged in at all times, but rarely use them? Personally, we are guilty of this one. Most electronic devices constantly draw a small amount of electricity which can add up over time if you take into consideration how many appliances you leave plugged in at all times! To minimize power usage, be sure to unplug cords or power strips you don’t use regularly!

 

Contact Keystone Propane today for more information on how we can help you save money in the new year and beyond! Our team of experts will help you find the perfect cost-saving propane solutions for your home or business. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and warm new year!