Spring Cleaning for Energy Savings

Now that the warm weather is finally here, it’s time to start working on your spring cleaning to whip your home back into shape. Most homeowners automatically put window washing and mulching at the top of the list, but they fail to realize the benefit of concentrating their efforts on other less obvious tasks like spring cleaning for energy savings.

Because of this, a lot of homeowners miss out on the many opportunities to save energy by completing a few easy tasks that can result in some significant savings. Many families don’t realize how much energy is actually wasted in their homes every day, but by adding just a few of the following energy efficiency improvements to your spring cleaning list you can start taking advantage of these savings immediately!

Clean Sliding Door Tracks

Don’t stop at glass cleaning when it comes to your sliding doors. Over the winter a lot of dirt, pebbles, and other build-ups can get into the tracks, making it impossible for your glass doors to seal properly. This leaves a lot of extra gaps that allow the cool air in your home to escape and the hot air to get it.

Replace Your Air Conditioning Filters

Many people forget to clean out or replace the filters more than once or twice during a season, and they rarely remember to clean them after their final use. Don’t turn your air conditioning on for the first time this year without checking your filters and making sure they’re clean and ready to run efficiently. Doing so will ensure that your system isn’t wasting energy and your air quality is as good as possible.

Ceiling Fan Redirection

Don’t forget to switch your ceiling fans back to counterclockwise in order to keep the cool air in longer to save on air conditioning.

Clean Refrigerator Coils

When was the last time you looked behind your refrigerator? If it’s been a while, don’t just sweep up whatever muck you find on the floor. Make sure you take the time to dust your refrigerator coils so your appliance doesn’t need to work as hard to keep your food cold.

Caulk Windows

If notice any leaks while you’re cleaning your windows, take the time to caulk them as you go. With just a little effort you’ll be sealing out the heat and locking in that cool air while using less energy.

5 Most Popular Propane Gas Appliances

Gas grills and furnaces may be one of the most popular propane appliances, but propane has a lot more to offer when it comes to powering your home. Millions of homeowners and business owners in the U.S. currently use propane, and with so many possible applications, it’s no wonder that more and more people are switching to propane every day. Here are the five most popular propane gas appliances that are drawing attention from both residential and business customers.

Propane Fireplaces

Not only are indoor fireplaces beautiful, but they also help to efficiently warm your home on even the coldest nights. Many people often don’t realize that the ceramic logs used aren’t just for decoration, they actually radiate heat long after your propane gas is turned off.

Propane Clothes Dryers

Substituting an electric model for a clothes dryer that runs on propane has a variety of benefits, and energy efficiency is often at the top of the list. Another important advantage is that the moist heat created by propane is generally safer for most fabrics compared to heat from electric dryers.

Propane Stoves

It’s no secret that propane gives you more control over the temperature, which allows for more even cooking. And not only are propane stoves and cooktops more efficient but there’s also no need to wait for them to heat up or cool down, which creates a safer cooking environment.

Propane Water Heaters

In most U.S. homes, hot water heaters consume the most energy, which is often around 30% of your total energy usage. This is why it’s so imperative that you choose an efficient hot water heating method like propane. Propane hot water heaters are known for heating water consistently and quickly.

Propane Fire Pits

Enjoy the warmth and coziness of an open fire in the privacy of your own backyard with one of many propane fire pit options available today. Not only do propane fire pits brighten up your summer nights …  they let you enjoy the outdoors any time of year.

For more information about the benefits of the most popular propane gas appliances, contact one of our qualified specialists today!

Living “Off the Grid” with Propane Gas

There are many benefits of using propane for your home heating. It’s safe, reliable, and very efficient, but the perks don’t end there. Did you know that propane is also a great alternative to relying on electricity for home heating and appliances? Not only is this energy source efficient … it’s also a standalone energy system you can use for a wide variety of purposes, including heat, cooking, appliances, hot water, and much more.

Many people use propane to augment their other energy sources, helping them to live even further “off the grid” than ever before. Reducing your reliance on electricity without the help of propane gas can be quite difficult, especially if you want to maintain the comfortable lifestyle you love. Choosing what fuel sources you use to power your home can have a direct effect on how you live your daily life.

Many homeowners who rely solely on electricity to power their homes are now considering switching to multiple energy sources, depending on their needs. Commonly referred to as energy or power diversification, and it provides you with one of the biggest benefits of all … a backup energy source that can power your home in the event you experience an outage or failure.

Propane has been playing a part in both power diversification and “off the grid” living for several great reasons:

  • it’s one of the cleanest fuels available
  • it’s safe for the environment
  • it’s affordable
  • it’s reliable in an emergency
  • it’s extremely versatile
  • it’s readily available

Best of all, propane gas gives you the power of choice. No longer tied to electricity, you can decide to diversify your energy sources by choosing propane and enjoy all of the “off the grid” benefits it has to offer.

Looking for more information on why propane is a great choice for your home heating? Feel free to contact one of our qualified representatives today!

6 Ways to Winterize Your Home on a Budget

As temperatures drop and the ice accumulates, you may find yourself or other members of your family inching up that thermostat. No one likes to be uncomfortable, but there are ways to battle the cold without cranking up the thermostat.

How To Winterize Your Home on a Budget

Keeping the cold out is the first step, and the good news is doing so doesn’t need to break the bank. Here are 6 ways to winterize your home on a budget:

Draft Snake

The Great Depression has taught us many things, including creative ways to keep out the cold. A draft snake is a towel our pouch filled with sand/kitty litter that you shove under a door to keep the cold air from rushing in or the warm air from rushing out. You can find a draft snake at the store or save even more by making one yourself.

Caulk

Start by checking the caulk outside your windows or doors to see if it needs to be repaired. You should also look for gaps inside your panes and fill any you find.

Storm Doors

Installing storm doors can reduce airflow by sealing the space outside your door. Believe it or not, a storm door can have a major impact on your home’s air efficiency, increasing by as much as 40%.

Add Insulation

Putting more insulation in your home is one of the most effective ways to prevent heat from going up and out. Don’t forget to bulk up your basement ceiling, attic floor, and walls to take full advantage of the efficiency insulation has to offer.

Ceiling Fans

You may be surprised to learn that ceiling fans aren’t just for cooling you off. Depending on the direction, they can actually produce warm air as well. For warm air, make sure your fans are turning clockwise.

Bubble Wrap

Avoid drafty windows by insulating them with bubble wrap. This is a great way to keep out the cold without breaking the bank. And besides … who doesn’t love bubble wrap? True, it may look a bit unusual, but it will allow for plenty light and help you winterize your home on a budget.

Merry Christmas

Early each December we slip into holiday mode. We rush here and there, trying to find the perfect gifts for our family members or dearest friends. We search high and low for just the right gift to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. With mounting anticipation as the big day approaches, we’re more excited to give gifts than we are to receive them. And finally, our gift-giving moment arrives, and just seeing their eyes light up makes all the craziness worthwhile. It truly is a wondrous time of the year.

Can you remember what it felt like as a child sitting in front of the tree, waiting for the designated gift giver to hand you your first present? It’s a beautiful memory many of us share. But more than that, we can also remember that feeling of fulfillment … of being with our families and feeling complete.

When I look back now at all of the Christmases I shared with my brothers and sisters, then in later years with my own children, the things I remember the most are those moments of being together — the laughter, the conversation, and, of course, who can forget the meals? To me, that was the greatest thing about the holidays — having family around me. My wish is that my fondness for the holidays and family time has been passed along to my children. I also hope that now, as they raise their families, they too will get to experience those same feelings and get that same satisfaction I did.

We at Keystone Propane hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season. We hope that your time together with loved ones or friends will be just as enjoyable as it was in your past. We sincerely appreciate your patronage and want you to know that we will do our very best to ensure that there will always be warmth in your home so you can sit back and enjoy. Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!!

How we can Work Together to Make the Holidays Great

I wanted to take this opportunity to outline just a few things to help us both enjoy our Holidays:

  • Check your gauge at least once per week. We do our best to ensure that you won’t run out of propane, but slight changes in the way you use your propane can affect when you will need your next delivery. If you have not seen us or received a bill recently check the tank and if you are at or below 30% on the gauge, please give us a call just to let us know. That way if something has changed and you are burning gas faster, we can adjust your delivery schedule and make sure that you get a delivery soon, as well as ensuring that future deliveries arrive in time.
  • Do your best to keep the access to your tank cleared. Keeping the driveway plowed and having a path shoveled to the tank helps us move along faster and helps to keep all customers satisfied. Every minute wasted slogging through deep snow could be a potential customer that doesn’t receive their delivery. Remember, that could be you. The Department of Transport only allows our operators to work a set number of hours each day and they also restrict the hours operators work each week. With these restrictions, it is imperative that we don’t waste time. We appreciate your assistance on this very much.
  • Stay alert to changes in your home. Often when a propane tank gets very low, you will begin to more readily smell propane. This is caused by the high concentrations of an additive put into the propane so it can be easily detected in case of a leak. If you notice an unusual smell or can determine that you are, in fact, smelling propane, notify us as soon as possible. This will give us time to get there to check it out and possibly keep you from running out of gas.

We appreciate your assistance on all of these items. The more you are aware of how your propane system works, and what you can do to keep it working properly, the better it is for all of us. Remember, when it comes to propane there are no silly questions, and should you ever have a question please feel free to call us to gain some insight on your issue.

Thank you all again for choosing Keystone Propane!!!
Merry Christmas

Five Benefits of Indoor Fireplaces

As one of the most sought after amenities, indoor fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. There are so many styles to choose from with an endless number of benefits. Here are some of the biggest reasons why indoor fireplaces have become such a huge hit.

Everyone Loves Fire

There’s nothing cozier than the warm glow of an indoor fireplace. It creates the perfect gathering spot for family and friends while providing a beautiful and relaxing ambiance. An indoor fireplace invites you to pull up a chair and get comfortable with a good book while you make lasting memories with the people you care about.

Green Heat

We already know that propane heat is one of the cleanest energy sources available today, and indoor fireplaces running on propane gas are no exception. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they’re also easy and safe to use.

Indoor Roasting

Want to enjoy some gooey marshmallows in the winter without building an outdoor fire and shivering under a blanket? With an indoor fireplace, you can have a smore anytime and maybe even roast a hot dog or two!

Light Without Electricity

When inclement weather strikes and the power goes out, we immediately head for our stockpile of half-burned candles. But with an indoor fireplace, light and some extra warmth are readily available despite any inconvenient power outages.

Independent Energy

With an indoor fireplace, you control when and how long you want your fuel to burn. You can enjoy the freedom of energy independence while having the power to light a welcoming fire in the privacy of your own home.

Would you like to find out more information about our indoor fireplaces? If so, stop by our Throop or Greentown showrooms to see what we have in store!

How to Winterize Your Propane Grill

In this world, there are two types of people. Those who grill all-year-round … and those who don’t. This post is for all you hibernators who’d rather cook inside than shiver in your boots while flipping your steaks. Find out how to winterize your propane grill the right way by following some of Keystone Propane’s helpful tips.

A Clean Grill is a Happy Grill

Do NOT put a dirty grill into storage. Ever. You may be thinking to yourself, “Ehhh … I’ll just scrape it off in the spring,” but trust us. Chiseling away at hardened grease and food debris is not the way you want to start off next year’s grilling season. Plus, these nasty little bits can attract critters like mice or rats. So do yourself a favor clean your grill now. Just turn it on and burn off the icky leftovers, then follow up with a quick wash of warm water and soap.

Rust Repellant

Easily avoid rust by spritzing a little bit of cooking spray on your grill’s exposed metal. This extra layer of protection will help to prevent rust by creating a barrier between moisture and steel. Best of all, the cooking spray will burn off quickly during your first use.

Wrap Up Your Burner

Cooking spray is great for your entire grill, but your burner does need special attention. Be sure to remove the burner and carefully wrap it in a plastic bag. This will prevent spiders or other creepy crawlies from nesting inside the various parts of the burner which often is the cause of uneven burning after you remove your grill from storage.

Storing Unused Propane

One of the biggest benefits of cooking with propane is that this particular type of grilling fuel doesn’t require special winterization. You don’t need to use any stabilizers when storing propane, which has become one the most popular choices fuel choices thanks to its indefinite shelf life.

All that’s left is to store your grill in a safe, out-of-the-way location and you’re all set. So here’s to the end of a great grilling season with many more to come!

Propane Now Fueling School Buses

Most people are familiar with propane’s everyday uses like home heating and outdoor cooking, but you may be surprised to learn that there are quite a few alternative uses for propane that are quickly gaining popularity. This is all thanks to the many benefits propane gas provides as an affordable, clean energy source which is now being used for:

  • Hot Tub and Pool Heaters
  • RV & Mobile Home Appliances
  • Cooktops and Ranges
  • Patio Heaters
  • Water Heaters
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Fireplaces
  • Lawnmowers
  • Hot Air Balloons and More

In addition to the above uses, people across the nation are discovering the cost-cutting benefits of transitioning their fleet vehicles to propane gas, and are now running propane-powered buses, police cruisers, taxi-cabs, construction trucks, and more. For example, the schools in Pinellas County are rolling into the new year with 58 propane buses in its fleet.

The new propane buses are less noisy and more comfortable than traditional school buses. The Director of Transportation for the Pinellas County School District, Rick McBride, recently explained:

“We made a decision several years ago to look for an alternate fuel source other than a diesel type bus, so we looked at the options out there and elected to go with propane.”

Although propane has been an important part of our country’s energy mix for over one hundred years, people continue to find new uses for this low-cost, environmentally friendly fuel. The U.S. proudly produces nearly 90% of the propane being consumed worldwide, and its production has employed over 150,000 workers in trade, wholesale, and sales.

This boost for our economy is just one more reason why propane is rapidly becoming the alternative fuel of choice for Americans. At Keystone Propane, we’re proud to offer you quality, clean, and affordable propane to power your life as efficiently as possible. To find out more about alternative uses for propane or how you can utilize propane for more than home heating and outdoor cooking, contact us today.

7 Energy Saving Tips for Summer

When summer temperatures a sweltering, it’s difficult to sit back and watch as your energy bill skyrockets. Here are some helpful tips to keep your costs down and your efficiency up.

Energy Saving Tips 1 – Decrease Pool Filtration

Did you know that decreasing your pool filtration by just 30 minutes each day is a great way you can save energy? You can continue making these slow, incremental reductions as long as your pool water stays clean. Many homeowners find they only need to run their pool filters for 8 hours a day or sometimes less!

Energy Saving Tip 2 – Decrease Indoor Heat

On days that are particularly hot, avoid running the dishwasher or clothes dryer during the day. You should also avoid using the oven whenever possible, and instead cook with the microwave, outdoor grill, or toaster oven.

Energy Saving Tip 3 – Clean Your Central Air

If you have central air in your home or business, be sure to clean or replace the filters on a monthly basis in order to keep your unit running as efficiently as possible.

Energy Saving Tip 4 – Keep an Eye on Your Thermostat

As the temperatures soar it can be tempting to crank the central air. Do your best to keep the thermostat temperature around 78 while your home and turn it up to 83 while you’re at work or away.

Energy Saving Tip 5 – Watch Your Windows

Try to keep your windows open at night to let the cool air in and keep our windows and blinds closed during the day to keep the sun from heating your rooms even more. By cycling your windows correctly you can keep your home temperatures regulated without turning on your air conditioning.

Energy Saving Tip 6 – Keep Laundry Cool

Use only cold water when washing your clothes and be sure to clean the lint trap in your dryer after every use to increase efficiency.

Energy Saving Tip 7 – Be a Fan of Fans

Whenever possible, it’s best to use ceiling and windows fans instead of cranking the air conditioning. It’s a way more cost-effective solution for keeping your home cool.

Do you have any other energy-saving tips for summer on how to keep energy bills down when the temperatures are through the roof? If so, please leave your ideas in the comments!

Grill Safety and Propane Tank Storage

Now that your summer fun has officially begun, grilling season is in full swing for families who can’t get enough of their flame-broiled favorites. Although some people enjoy grilling any time of year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are nearly 9,000 fires caused by grills, most of which happen during the months of June, July, and August.

Do you know everything you should about grill safety and propane tank storage? Test your knowledge by watching this great video posted by the NFPA that demonstrates the proper way to use your grill safely!

Fortunately, there’s a lot your family can do to avoid any potential problems that may arise from improper propane tank usage and storage to ensure the fun lasts through the summer and beyond:

  • Whenever you’re transporting propane tanks for grilling, always handle with care. Never lay the propane tank on its side and never put a propane tank in the front seat on the way home from a fill-up.
  • Never leave your propane tank in a car or store it indoors. The temperature, sunlight, and even motion of the vehicle can make the pressure in the tank rise, creating a possible explosive situation.
  • Inspect your connection hoses and make sure they are free of build-up and debris before use. Debris in the hose could create a blockage which, again, can result in an explosion.
  • Always keep your tank away from heat or any possible ignition source.
  • Store your tank in a designated location that is safe and away from small children. Make sure the area is properly ventilated. Also make sure to check the valve before putting it in storage.
  • Don’t place your tank on the floor. The moisture on the floor can transfer into your tank, leading to rust and a possible leak. Instead, store the tanks on an elevated, flat surface.

Looking for additional grill safety and propane tank storage tips? Feel free to contact Keystone Propane today and talk with one of our qualified professionals!