7 DIY Home Insulation Ideas

As the winter season approaches, it’s time to protect your home from the harsh, cold elements. Insulating the home is something many homeowners struggle with, but it doesn’t need to be difficult. Follow these simple DIY ideas to keep your home insulated during the winter season.

1. Inspect the Home

Many homes (especially older ones) have spots where air leaks. Open spaces are prone to allow unwanted air to enter the home. Find some time to walk throughout the home and look for drafty areas. Common drafty areas can include the attic, basement, and crawlspace.

2. Maintain Your HVAC System

The health of your HVAC system is essential for keeping warm air from escaping the home. Check your air filters and clean them regularly. This will help to control the air flow in the home, and it will improve the air quality.

3. Seal Drafty Doorways

Place foam weather-stripping on the bottom and sides of your doors. If the gap underneath the door is especially large, put a double draft stopper to close the gap. You can buy these double draft stoppers from a hardware store near you, or you can create a homemade stopper using fabric, kitty litter, or even a pair of old jeans that you no longer wear.

4. Seal Drafty Windows

Add an extra layer of insulation to your windows with the help of plastic sheeting. This is a cheap DIY option that can stop outside air in its tracks. You only need plastic sheeting, double-sided tape, and a hairdryer. Apply the sheeting to the window sill with the tape, and apply hot air using the hairdryer. This is an easy way to ensure that your windows are insulated.

5. Seal Vents and Ducts

A great deal of air is lost through the vent and duct system due to poorly sealed openings and connections. Your duct system is often overlooked, and it can be hard to spot the leaks. To seal your ductwork, purchase some HVAC tape from a hardware store. HVAC tape is strong and doesn’t dry out (unlike duct tape). Apply the tape to any leaky opening on your ductwork.

6. Install Thick Curtains

If you have drafty windows, a set of thick curtains can really help to keep warm air in and cold air out. While they don’t serve a purpose in the summer months, thick curtains can make a difference in the winter seasons.

7. Swap Out the Screen Door

In the winter, we tend to forget about the screen door, as we have the main door to shield the home from the outside air. But even with the main door, outside air can still sneak inside the home. To stop this from happening, swap out that screen door for a solid pane of glass. This is an incredibly simple way to keep your home insulated during the winter months.

For more helpful tips on home insulation or to order your propane delivery, contact Keystone Propane today!

Prevent Your Heating Bill From Haunting You: Energy Efficiency Tricks and Treats

For many people, there’s nothing spookier than receiving a steep energy bill. To help keep your energy bill in-check this Halloween season, we have compiled a series of useful, actionable energy efficiency tricks you can easily implement.

Energy Efficiency Tricks and Treats

Protect Your Airflow

Those air leaks in your windows and doors allow unwanted, cold air to creep into the home. This air disrupts the internal temperature of the home, causing your energy system to work harder, and for your energy bill to skyrocket. By plugging these air leaks with caulk, you won’t have cold air sneaking into your home. Bonus: you also keep scary, ghostly spirits at bay.

Turn the Lights Off

It’s difficult to keep a spooky vibe if all your indoor lights are on. Save energy by turning off the lights. If there are areas of the home that need to be illuminated, use candles. Candles also vibe perfectly with the Halloween season by creating a spooky atmosphere.

Use LED Lights

If you’re adorning your home with spooky decorations this Halloween, use LED lights. These conserve far less energy than normal lightbulbs. Regular lighting can be like an energy vampire—slowly sucking away your energy, causing your electric bill to rise.

Unplug Unused Electronics

Those electronics and appliances can be another energy vampire. Even if they aren’t being used, they still consume energy. This is called “phantom energy loads,” and it can be stopped by simply unplugging those unused devices and appliances.

Maintain the Chimney

The warmth and comfort of a fireplace can be so welcoming in the fall season, but a chimney that’s always opened will cause warm air to escape during the winter and fall seasons. When it’s not in use, close your chimney flue. Doing so will keep warm air inside, while keeping scary witches out.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are extremely useful for energy conservation. You can program it to raise or lower the temperature when you aren’t home, and you can also program it to adjust during set times.

Protect Your Home with Insulation

Your crawlspace and attic areas are practically outside your house, and they have a high amount of penetrations for water pipes, sewer lines, vent stacks, etc. These are often small penetrations, but they can make a huge difference in how you consume energy. Properly insulating these areas will help to keep warm air where it’s supposed to be—inside the home.

Seeing an expensive energy bill can be a scary sight. Instead, follow the tips in this blog post or contact Keystone Propane today to find out how to keep your energy bill manageable. Happy Halloween!

Energy Efficiency Tips for Back-To-School

School season is back, and it’s a time of the year with high energy consumption. To help you conserve energy during this time of year, we’ve compiled a series of actionable energy efficiency tips you can follow.

Easy Energy Efficiency Tips

1. Install a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats are quite useful. During the warmer months, you should put the temperature as high as you can; during the winter, program the temperature as low as you can comfortably handle. The programmable thermostat can heat and cool your home around your schedule, making it a powerful tool to help you save energy.

2. Optimize your lighting

While the kids are at school, you should be consuming less energy throughout the day. Take advantage of this by ensuring that all unused lights are turned off. It’s also a good idea to replace inefficient lightbulbs. Replace all your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs. These bulbs tend to use less energy, while also lasting longer. Optimizing your lighting surprisingly simple tip that will help you consume less power throughout the course of the year.

3. Unplug your devices

Most kids have an arsenal of gadgets and devices throughout the house, but while they’re away, it’s wise to unplug them to conserve energy. Even though the electronics will be idle, they still consume “vampire energy”, which is energy that leaks out from plugs and chargers while they are connected to a power outlet.

4. Use the fridge wisely

While you’re preparing your kid’s meals for school, you’ll be using your refrigerator while you take out certain items. The more you open and close your fridge, the more energy you consume, so it’s better to take out everything you need to use at once. While this is a small adjustment, it can help you conserve energy in the long run. Also, be sure to inspect your fridge’s seals. If the seals are broken, cold air will leak out, wasting a great deal of energy and money.

5. Use propane

Propane is a great energy source, and if used properly, can be more efficient than other energy sources. Compared to conventional gas and electric systems, propane can be much cheaper, especially when you factor in low installation and maintenance costs. Propane is extremely versatile, as it can heat your home, water, appliances (stove, dryer, etc.), and it can provide back-up power. Propane can also be purchased in bulk with affordable pre-buy contracts.

The school year is a great time to optimize how your household consumes energy. Follow the energy efficiency tips listed in this post to conserve more power and to save money throughout the school season and contact us today for more information!

The Benefits of Propane Pre-Buy Contracts

Why a propane pre-buy contract with Keystone? Because propane prices can fluctuate on a weekly basis and a pre-buy can lock in the savings.

Read more

Best Uses for Propane in the Summer

Propane can do far more than simply keep you warm during the winter months. Propane can be used to fuel your summer fun. In today’s post, we’re going to discuss a few ways you can use propane to help with the summer’s festivities.

Grilling

There’s nothing quite like a summer barbeque. A gathering of friends and family can be great, and the food can be delicious, making for a perfect summer activity. We recommend using a propane grill for a few reasons:

  • Ease of use: Charcoal grills can take a bit of practice to use properly. A propane grill ignites with the turn of the knob, which makes it very easy to use.
  • Temperature control: Charcoal grills tend to be very unpredictable, while propane grills will distribute constant and even heat throughout the grill.
  • Cleanliness: Propane grills are very easy to clean and maintain, while charcoal grills can be extremely messy.

Pool Heating

The summer months are hot, but that doesn’t mean that your pool can’t get a bit chilly at night. Use propane as a power source for your pool heater. This is a terrific way to save money on electricity, and it can ensure that your pool is comfortable throughout the summer months.

Patio Lighting

There’s something charming about lounging on the patio during summer nights and using a propane-powered fire torch can help add to the charm. Outdoor fire torches are safe, aesthetically pleasing, and help to create a certain ambiance. Visitors will be impressed, and if you have festivities at your home, you can continue the party outside.

Fire Pit

Backyard fire pits are more popular than ever, and there’s a good reason why. You no longer need chopped wood to start a fire. You can simply flick a switch and enjoy the ambiance. A fire pit can be the centerpiece for outdoor gatherings, cookouts, and campfires. Want to toast some marshmallows and trade spooky stories over a campfire? Propane makes it incredibly easy to fuel your backyard fire pit.

Backup Power

If the power goes out during the summer months, it’s good to know that you have backup power. Propane can be an excellent source of power for your generator. In some regions, summer storms can be rough, and having a backup generator is an absolute must. Propane has some benefits over the traditional gasoline-powered generators:

  • Propane fuel is often available even when gas pumps aren’t running. This is because it’s stored in individual gas cylinders. You can store multiple cylinders in your home for preparation.
  • Propane has a limitless shelf life. Over an extended period of time, gasoline can start to degrade.

Propane is extremely versatile, and it can help you make the most of the summer season. Contact us today for some more ideas on how you use propane during the summer months!

How to Clean Your Propane Grill

Summer is upon us, and that means it’s time to invite your friends and family to the house and heat up the grill. A poorly maintained grill, however, can put a damper on the festivities. Your grill needs to be fully cleaned and prepared before you start grilling. By not preparing your propane grill, you could not only contaminate any food that you grill but it could affect the use of the grill.

To clean your propane grill the right way, keep these simple tips in mind.

Step 1: Make sure the dials are in the off position

This is for your personal safety. Starting the cleaning process while the dials are on can be a recipe for disaster. You also want to turn off and disconnect the propane tank before you begin cleaning.

Step 2: Remove the cooking grates

The grates are where you place your food, so it’s important that they are fully clean before you start grilling. Soak them in warm water and scrub them with a scouring pad or grill stone.

Step 3: Remove and wash the flame tamers

The flame tamers act as burner protectors. They shield the burners from sauces and grease which can damage the burners. They also help to evenly distribute heat across the cooking surface. They can get quite dirty over time, so it’s important that you fully remove any lingering residue before you start cooking. Apply warm water and soap and scrub them with a brush or scouring pad for maximum cleaning.

Step 4: Clean and unclog the burners

The burners are directly responsible for how heat is delivered to the cooking surface. If it’s clogged, your grill won’t cook properly. Remove the burners from the grill and remove the grime with warm water and soap.

Step 5: Clean the metal plates

The metal plates underneath the burners are typically loaded with gunk and grime. To fully clean them, pull them out, and use a brush to scrap off the grime and debris. A brush with hard bristles will work better than a sponge or scouring pad.

Step 6: Inspect the fuel line

While you’re cleaning, it won’t hurt to check the fuel line for any cracks or leaks. A leaky fuel line can waste your propane, and it could present a significant health hazard. Brush soapy water along the gas line and connections. If you see bubbles forming while the gas is running, you likely need to tighten the connections or replace the fuel line.

Step 7: Clean and maintain on a regular basis

You should always scrub down your propane grill at the start of the season to make sure everything is in proper order. If the weather is warm, and the grill is being used often, you should regularly clean and inspect the grill. This will help to extend the longevity of your grill, and it will make for better grilling sessions.

If you’re in the market for a new propane grill this season, then Keystone Propane is here to help! Visit our showroom to see what we have in stock today!

Top 5 Reasons for Adding an Outdoor Fireplace to Your Yard

The fireplace is a symbol of elegance and comfort, and it is often the centerpiece that can tie a room together. Now, more than ever before, we are seeing fireplaces outside the confines of the home. The yard is becoming a popular place to hold a fireplace, and there are many reasons why. In today’s post, we have 5 great reasons why you should add an outdoor fireplace to your yard.

1. Entertainment

A well-placed outdoor fireplace can extend the party space from inside to outside. Imagine having a gathering of friends by the fireplace where you can converse, laugh, eat, and drink. Your friends and family will flock to your events and parties. The possibilities for entertainment are incredible with an outdoor fireplace. Don’t be surprised if your yard becomes ground zero for holiday-related gatherings.

2. Warmth

During the colder months, it can become monotonous to stay indoors. An outdoor fireplace enables you to relax outside while heat emanates from the fire. With a fireplace, your yard can be properly enjoyed year-round. On chilly days and evenings, there is no better feeling than being close to a cozy, warm fireplace.

3. Cooking

With the proper equipment, a fireplace or fire pit can be used for cooking. Install a cooking grate with the fireplace, and you’ll be able to cook a large variety of items. Or, you could opt with the fireplace staple of roasted marshmallows. The ability to cook makes the outdoor fireplace extremely versatile. The fire grate makes it similar to using a grill, although its temperature won’t be as accurate.

4. Increased Property Value

An outdoor fireplace is a stylish, useful addition to any home, and it can easily increase your property value if you sell your home in the future. Potential buyers will love an attention-grabbing fireplace. If you do plan on selling the home in the future, ensure that you keep the fireplace well maintained.

5. Ambiance

A fireplace has an aura of sophistication. It creates a cozy, inviting ambiance. Expect your friends and family to visit more. Expect to spend more of your evenings outside. Expect more lively gatherings as the fireplace acts as a catalyst for conversations. You will marvel at the sheer beauty of the fireplace as its flames roar through the night. An outdoor fireplace will be an excellent addition to your home, and the overall ambiance is a big reason for that.

10 Pro Grilling Tips

Summer is quickly approaching, and it’s time to dust off the grill. To get the most out of your grilling experience, we have a few grilling tips to take your skills from amateur to pro.

Keep It Hot

As a rule, you should preheat your grill for 15-25 minutes before using it. This ensures that the grill reaches the right temperature and that it kills off any remaining bacteria on the grill’s surface. For high heat, the grill should be 400-450°F, 350-400°F for medium heat, and 250-300°F for low heat. By properly preheating the grill, the food should sear on contact, which helps prevent the food from sticking.

Cook from Room Temperature

Instead of cooking food straight from the freezer, it’s better to thaw your meat ahead of time and begin cooking when it’s room temperature. You want to cook your meat evenly, which won’t happen if your meat is frozen when you place it on the grill.

Oil the Grates

Before heating the grill, apply vegetable oil on the grates with a brush or paper towel. Without lubricated grates, meat will be almost guaranteed to stick. Applying oil will make removing meat from the grill an effortless process.

Marinate Your Meat

Those succulent barbecue ribs don’t become delicious on their own. The cook needs to fully marinate the meat for the flavor to fully set in. Find a marinade recipe online, prepare it, and let the meat sit for a few hours. Doing this will help your meat explode with flavor.

Be Fully Prepped

A cook is nothing without his tools, so it’s important to have everything prepared before you start grilling. That includes having your propane tank, tongs, spatula, thermometer, and whatever else you need.

Don’t Overcrowd the Grill

Don’t put too much meat on the grill at one time. You need sufficient airflow for the meat to grill properly, and if the grates are overcrowded meat will take longer to cook, and it may not cook evenly.

Use a Grill Basket

For foods that are small or too cumbersome to place directly on a grill (vegetables, small cuts of meat, etc.), use a grill basket.

Don’t Overcook the Meat

If you had to choose, it’s best to undercook the meat than to overcook it. If it’s undercooked, you can simply put it back on the grill for it to reach the right temperature; if it’s overcooked, the meat may be inedible.

Use a Thermometer

A thermometer will tell you the exact temperature of the meat. While you can cook without it, it can be useful for thick cuts of meat.

Let It Rest

Once the meat is done cooking, let the meat rest before you start eating. This allows the juices to redistribute and settle inside the meat.

Now that you’re ready to knock this grilling season out of the park, contact Keystone Propane for the fuel you need to get the party started!

 

Spring Propane Safety Tips

Spring is here, and more outdoor activities arrive with it. With warmer weather, propane is used more often. It fuels grilling parties, camping trips, and road trips. With these activities, you want to ensure that you’re using propane safely. Here are some simple Spring propane safety tips that demonstrate how you use propane cautiously during the season.

1. Never store propane tanks indoors. Indoor propane appliances can be fine, but it’s unsafe to have the tanks indoors. When storing the tanks keep them outside and in a vertical position.

2. Know how to shut off the gas supply from your tank or cylinder. Ensure that everyone in the household knows how to do it as well.

3. If you’re using propane to grill, turn off the burner control and the release valve when you finish cooking.

4. Ensure that everyone in your household knows the smell of propane, so that they could recognize it in the event of a leak.

5. If you smell a strange gas-like odor, treat it seriously. Check if the release valve is closed tight. If you cannot detect the exact source of the smell, evacuate the home and find professional assistance to help you fix the problem.

6. If an odor persists and you need to evacuate, do not operate electronic switches or appliances. Try to leave as many windows open as you can. Don’t light any matches.

7. When transporting a tank for a refill, keep it in an upright position in your car and away from direct sunlight. Before you place the tank in your car, ensure that the valve is closed tight. Secure the tank with a rope to prevent it from moving freely inside the vehicle. Keep the windows open as an extra safety measure.

8. When transporting a tank, remember to never leave the tank in the car unattended because the temperature can quickly rise.

9. Acquire a gas detector to detect carbon monoxide and propane leaks. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is a result of incomplete combustion of some other fuel or gas.

10. Keep flammable items (e.g. paper, clothing, etc.) away from your propane appliances at all times. This is very simple, but a surprising number of fires occur by neglecting this easy safety measure.

Follow these tips to stay prepared and safe during the spring and summer seasons. Remember that propane usage is not dangerous if you follow simple guidelines to ensure your safety.

5 Reason to Convert Your Home to Propane

Heating is a central function responsible for keeping your home comfortable and efficient, which is why it’s so important to choose the best fit for your family. If your heat currently runs on oil or electric, it may be time to consider upgrading to a clean energy fuel like propane. The popularity of propane is growing quickly, and for many reasons. Want to know why propane gas is the first choice for savvy homeowners everywhere? Here are five reasons to convert your home to propane:

Efficiency

Efficiency is at the top of the list, and propane definitely delivers. Compared to other fuel sources, propane offers a level of value and comfort that sets it apart from other heating options. Efficiency is one of the key differentiators that makes propane such an attractive option, allowing you to save hundreds of dollars a year because it burns so cleanly.

Flexibility

Propane does it all and is powerful enough to meet your home’s wide variety of needs. It’s used for home heating, home appliances, space heating, generators, and much more. Not only does it allow you to simplify your life by using propane appliances that lost longer and require less maintenance, it offers flexibility you just can’t get with other fuels.

Safety

When handled properly, propane is one of the safest options for heating and running your home. It’s also extremely handy in an emergency if you happen to be in need of a backup generator.

Reliability

Speaking of emergencies, propane wins hands down over electric heating. When you use propane there’s no need to worry about power outages caused by fallen branches or ice storms interfering with your power lines. Propane is already ready, every day, no matter what type of weather you’re facing.

Green

One of the most popular characteristics of propane is that it’s nontoxic, posing no threat to your groundwater or soil. As an option that burns a lot cleaner than other fuels, propane helps you to shrink your home’s carbon footprint while you do your part to keep your community green.

Your Propane Expert

Keystone Propane is your expert propane provider, here to give you the guidance you need when you need it most. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is ready to discuss your home heating system options and answer any questions you may have about converting to propane any time of year!