How to Reduce Propane Gas Consumption During the Winter

During the winter, propane gas is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to keep your home warm. However, it can also be expensive. On average, households consume between 400 and 1,000 gallons of propane annually. Fortunately, you can take some simple steps to reduce propane usage during the winter and save money on your bill. Read on for five propane heat cost savings tips during the winter.

Using Propane For Patio Heating

Propane is a great and safe source of energy and heating for your home. Now that we are in the spring season, we know it’s time to start using your outdoor living area for different activities such as grilling and get-togethers with friends and family. With some cooler days and nights still occurring, you may be wondering what the best way is to heat your patio or outdoor living area. Maybe you’re torn between using a traditional wood fire pit or trying out a propane gas fire pit. Keystone Propane can help you decide which is the right fit for you.

Before We Dive Into The Pros and Cons of Propane Vs. Wood…

Remember to check with your municipality’s open burning regulations prior to getting any type of outdoor fire pit or fireplace. You want to make sure it’s legal to have one first.

 

Propane Vs. Wood Fire Pits: Which Is Better?

The first thought that comes to mind when thinking of a fire pit is probably a wood-burning one, with a roaring fire contained in a stone or metal ring. You can probably picture gathering around it to spend quality time with friends and loved ones.

However, similar to how wood-burning fireplaces have some imperfections, so do wood fire pits. Here’s a few of them:

  • Poor Lighting: Imagine trying to light a fire on a mildly windy night. This is a challenge with wood fire pits. They can either be difficult or take too long to light, causing an annoyance for everyone. If you use a propane gas fire pit, you can enjoy a warm and well lit night at the push of a button.
  • Keeping the fire (and party) going: Aside from being a challenge to light, it can also be difficult to keep a fire going consistently. Using wood requires you to continuously feed the flames to keep the fire going. However with propane, as long as you have gas, you will have a fire constantly going in your fire pit with minimal maintenance, if any at all.
  • Smoke Hazards: We know that one of the most appealing aspects of a wood burning fire pit is the smell of the wood. However with that smell comes smoke – which could cause eye irritation and other issues. No one wants to end up dealing with red or irritated eyes and smelly clothing all night. Using propane eliminates all of this.
  • Safety and Peace of Mind: It’s no secret that gas fire pits are usually more safe than wood-burning ones. Wood fire pits can emit sparks or embers that could pose a big threat. Meanwhile, gas fire pits don’t do that. Gas fire pits are also easier to extinguish. With a click of a button, the fire can die away just as easily and quickly as it started. 

 

Ready to Try a Propane Fire Pit? 

If you’re sure you want to add an outdoor fire pit or fireplace to your home this season, take a look at what Keystone Propane has to offer. Contact us today or visit our showroom to find the right fire pit for your needs. We look forward to helping you enjoy the great outdoors!

2022 New Year’s Outdoor Party Planning

2022 is right around the corner. How are you going to bring in the new year? If you’re torn between staying in or going out, why not do both? Hosting an outdoor New Year’s Eve party is a great way to get together with family and friends to celebrate goals, accomplishments, new beginnings, and everything in between. As you plan your outdoor get-together, here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure everyone is warm and having a great time:

 

2022 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

  1. Transform your outdoor living area. If your home has a pool, why not use it as the visual centerpiece of your party? Now that we’re in the colder part of the year, you may think that your pool can’t be used. However, by adding a few lights and a balloon arrangement, you can put it to work visually. A cost-efficient way to accomplish this is to put a glow stick in each balloon. Then add in a small amount of water, and inflate the balloons to your preferred size. Getting balloons that spell out Happy New Year or 2022 is a great touch as well.
  2. Make sure you have enough seating. Keeping your guests comfortable is key to successfully hosting a party. One of the main components of this is providing comfortable seating. Set-up your patio furniture to mimic the comfort of your indoor living room. This will help facilitate conversation. Remember to power up your fire pit or outdoor fireplace to keep the good times going.
  3. Keep your guests warm. Whether your backyard is large or small, strategically placing several fire features around it has several benefits:
    • It ensures that your guests remain warm no matter where they sit or stand.
    • It keeps areas well lit, making sure that all or most of your backyard can be utilized. 
    • It adds another opportunity to create a beautiful visual centerpiece or conversation starter.

Once you add in refreshments, games, and music, you’re all set. Just remember – comfort is key when planning your get-together. So make sure you’re set to provide a warm atmosphere for your guests by getting set up for propane auto refills or having your equipment checked.

 

CONTACT KEYSTONE PROPANE TODAY

If you’re looking to make sure your home is party-ready using propane, Keystone Propane is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a check-up, service appointment, or for additional information about our propane services and products.

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home Heating

Believe it or not, 2018 is already over and 2019 is here to stay – which means it’s also time to start making some New Year’s resolutions! Why not start by making a few that will make you more comfortable at home – while being easy on your wallet?

Here are five ways to kick off the New Year in your propane-powered home:

Enroll in Automatic Delivery

Running low or out of propane is not only frustrating, but it can also be dangerous. By signing up for Autofill with Keystone Propane, not only will you never run out of propane but you completely eliminate the hassle of checking your meter again!

Register for Budget Billing

An unexpectedly high heating bill can be stressful around the holidays. What if your bill was predictable all year round? Signing up for Keystone’s Budget Billing Program can save you the shock on a big sticker heating bill by spreading out your payments over the course of the year. We’ll just estimate your billing based on your past usage then you make 12 easy payments. Simple and convenient!

Upgrade Older Equipment

When was the last time you replace your space heater or water heater? Chances are that it may be out of date and actually costing you more money by keeping it running due to extensive repair bills or inefficiency. By upgrading to the right-sized, high-efficiency propane heater, it often pays for itself in the first few years – so no need to feel guilty about discarding your older one.

Change Up Outdoor Space

Is your indoors becoming a bit tight (or boring) for entertaining? With today’s propane-powered outdoor living equipment you can easily create another great experience for guests with an outdoor kitchen and seating area that is warm, spacious, and has an amazing view.

Spruce Up Indoor Experience

Love the thought of a fireplace but not the hassle of upkeep – then consider a propane hearth! Or prefer endless, hot showers – switch to a tankless propane water heater to have the shower of your dreams with an unlimited hot-water supply.

Kick-off 2019 right with products and services from Keystone Propane. Contact us today to learn more about our Budget Billing Program or for a FREE estimate on some of our high-efficiency propane-powered equipment for your home!

5 Best Home Heating Tips for Fall

Now that it finally feels like Fall, cooler temperatures may be tempting you to turn on the heat if you haven’t done so already. Here are a few useful home heating tips for fall to help keep your energy bills reasonable by preventing waste.

Seal Up Drafts

If you walk past a window and feel a sudden burst of cold air, it’s likely a place you’re losing energy. But it’s important to recognize that this is a perfect opportunity to conserve. Doors and windows are common culprits of energy loss and a great place to start your conservation efforts.

Stop your heating system from working harder by purchasing some inexpensive caulking or weatherstripping. These are easy, affordable ways to help keep the cold air out and the warm air in. By properly sealing your doors and windows, you can quickly save up to 15% on your home’s energy bill!

Air Filter Clean Up

A dirty air filter can also make your heating system work double-time, increasing your energy costs and putting unnecessary wear and tear on your unit. By changing your air filter on a monthly basis, you can drastically decrease the amount of wasted energy.

Another major benefit of cleaning your air filter is improving the air quality in your home, especially if you have family members with asthma or allergies. Removing pollen, dust, and other contaminants efficiently is key to helping your loved ones keep their system at bay and maintaining overall health.

Thermostat Adjustments

You don’t need a programmable thermostat to take advantage of this method, although it does help to have one! As long as you remember to lower the temperature at night or any other time your family is away from the house, you can enjoy savings.

Thermostat Locations

It’s also important to take your thermostat’s location into consideration. Remember to keep it away from hot or cold areas, including sunlit walls and drafty windows, as this can have a negative impact on your heating system’s performance.

Time for a Tune-Up

Having a professional give your heating unit a check-up is a great way to make sure you’re starting off the season on the right foot. It can save you money in the long run and also help keep your heating system running efficiently into the future.

If you have any questions on home heating tips for Fall or would like to talk with us about how we can help keep your heating system in good working order, contact us today!

How to Prep Your Propane Home for Fall

Now that fall is here, it’s time to think about what you can do to get your home and propane appliances ready for colder weather. There’s often more to it than simply refilling your propane tank, and Keystone Propane is here to give you some great tips on how to prep your propane home for fall. Below are just a few suggestions to get your home and appliances winter-ready.

Propane Tank Refills

If your propane tank is at 20% or less, it’s definitely time to call for a refill. Waiting for late October to fill your tank can leave you unprepared in the event we have an early cold snap as we often do here in Northeastern PA. Check your gauge and give us a call today so you and your family are ready for whatever comes your way.

Furnace Maintenance

Don’t assume your furnace is in good working order. Give your heating system a good once over to make sure everything will run properly when you need it to.

Gas Stove Review

Did you know that the color of your propane gas stove’s flame can indicate whether or not it may need to be serviced? It’s true! The color you want is blue, and if your flame is yellow (or any other color) it’s a sign that the burners may need to be adjusted or that your air inlets are clogged.

Water Heater Tank Maintenance

Sediments can easily build up inside your water heater tank and cause all sorts of problems. One of the best ways to avoid this is by draining your tank regularly. After releasing just a few gallons, the water should run clear as a sign that your tank is sediment-free.

Propane Grill Storage

It’s important to protect your grill during the winter months, but don’t forget to make sure you clean it before putting it away for this season. Burn off any remaining residue, wash it with soapy warm water and you’re good to go.

If you have any questions about how to prep your propane home for fall, feel free to give us a call today. Keystone Propane is here to help!

Preparing for Winter

If you thought last winter was tough, just wait until this winter. The foreboding forecast from the latest Farmer’s Almanac predicts that the upcoming winter will be equally as bitter as the last, and possibly worse.

Not exactly the news we’re looking for. And how reliable is the Almanac really? Can one speculate solely based on the rings around the moon, sunspots, the hair on the back of a cow’s neck, and wooly caterpillars?

Whether you choose to put credence in these predictions or not, it’s best to err on the side of caution and do everything you can to ensure your heating system is winter-ready.

Check Out Your Heating System Before Winter

Consider hiring a professional to come into your home to inspect and service your heating system to make sure everything is operating properly before you begin using it. Don’t wait to schedule your appointment … qualified professionals could potentially be booked up this time of year. A standard check-up will give you peace of mind that your heating system is much less likely to falter during this harsh winter.

Standard inspection and maintenance normally include:

  • Changing or cleaning your filter after a thorough inspection
  • Closely inspecting your home’s thermostat
  • Inspecting your heating unit’s electrical controls and components
  • Checking airflow
  • Applying oil to the motor if necessary

A Winter Preparation Checklist

There are also a wide variety of actions you can take to get prepared including:

  • Be sure to remove all flammable materials stored near your furnace or hot water heater. Give it an appropriate room to perform optimally.
  • Improve airflow by cleaning filters yourself. Dirty filters typically reduce your airflow and your furnace’s efficiency.
  • Clean away any build-up sediment around the base of your water heater tank to prevent damage to the interior lining.
  • Be aware when you turn your heating system on for the first time, and monitor for any unusual sounds and smells.
  • If you have difficulty with your heater initially, look first for the most obvious cause and solution.

By following these helpful tips, your home can be winter-ready in no time, regardless of whether the Farmer’s Almanac prediction is right!