If you have a conventional water heater (one with a storage tank), you can expect it to last an average of 10 to twelve years. There are several factors that can influence that lifespan, including how well it was installed, where you place the water heater, and the chemistry of your municipal or well water.

But perhaps the most important factor in the longevity of your conventional water heater is how well it is maintained over the years.

Routine water heater maintenance will help purge your storage tank of sediment, which accumulates as minerals leach from your main water supply over time. At minimum, you should flush your tank at least once – and preferably twice – a year (flushing entails emptying your storage tank using a hose, then refilling it with clean water; it’s a relatively easy process that you can do yourself, or we can do it for you).

A second routine water heater maintenance task is to check the condition of your anode rod. Sometimes called a “sacrificial rod,” an anode rod is a steel core wire surrounded with either aluminum, magnesium or zinc draw that draws corrosive elements within the water in your tank to itself, keeping them away from the tank walls. A typical anode rod will last about five years – about half that long if you use a water softener. If your anode rod is spent, your tank will quickly corrode, which could eventually lead to a costly tank failure and flood.

When Is Professional Water Heater Maintenance Needed?

If you’re not able to flush your tank yourself, it’s a good idea have water heater maintenance performed by a professional every year. If you do your own tank flushing, every other year is enough to cover routine tasks like inspection and a deep cleaning of the water heater’s coils, rods, and other pieces.

4 Signs That You Need Professional Water Heater Repair

Of course, there are times when your water heater needs more than routine maintenance; when those times come, always call a water heater professional. Here are four warning signs that your equipment needs expert attention.

1. Leaks– Leaks are never a good sign for a water heater, since they often mean your tank is corroding from the inside. Check for leaks around your hot water heater at least once a month; look for drips, a damp carpet, or a musty smell surrounding the water heater.
2. Rusty water – Rusty water is a sign of corrosion – the question is from where? Corrosion can occur in the storage tank or in your plumbing pipes – a professional can help troubleshoot the problem.
3. Low water pressure – Low water pressure could be a sign of sediment build-up, a problem with your pipes, or a faulty installation.
4. Clicking sounds – Clicking, clanging, and popping sounds could indicate that your water heater is actually overheating, which will reduce efficiency and could become a hazard for your family.

Remember, when in doubt, always contact a water heater pro!

For professional water heater installations and water heater maintenance Wyoming County, PA, trust the pros at Ace-Robbins. Contact us today to learn more!

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), space heaters account for more than two out of every five house fires in the U.S. – second only to cooking accidents as a cause of household fires.

Does this mean you should avoid using a space heater in your Wyoming County home? Not at all: most of these incidents are caused by carelessly placed or malfunctioning portable heaters and can be avoided if you have your equipment installed by professionals.

Still, safety should always be the top consideration when using any type of space heater, including a propane hearth. Here are some safety reminders to consider as you continue to warm your Pennsylvania home in the weeks and months to come.

Using Space Heaters And Fireplaces Safely

• Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around space heaters; do not allow underage children to play in a room with a propane space heater.
• Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas; test them once per season, and replace them as instructed in your equipment’s owner’s manual. Strongly consider adding propane leak detectors, too.
• Make sure that space heaters are installed correctly and in the right place; keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
• Never use an outdoor heating device (an outdoor grill or outdoor space heater for example) inside your house! They are not equipped to safely ventilate in your indoor space.
• Get your space heater and other propane-powered equipment serviced and inspected by a professional every year.
• Always have your propane space heaters installed by a professional who understands how to properly connect and ventilate your system. Whether you have a propane wall heater, a propane fireplace, or a propane fireplace insert, direct-vent heating appliance installation is NOT a DIY job.

At Ace-Robbins, your safety is ALWAYS our #1 priority. If you have any questions about propane safety for your hearth, appliances, or anything else in your home, contact us today – and if you’re interested in installing a direct vent propane hearth in your home, ask us for a FREE, no obligation estimate!

If you’re a will-call heating oil delivery customer, one of the most important tasks you have is keeping a close eye on your heating oil tank gauge. The good news, if you haven’t done it before, is that it’s a pretty easy skill to master.

Oil Gauge Reading Basics

Usually located on top of the tank, your heating oil tank gauge is a clear glass or plastic tube marked with the same kind of numbers you’d find on the gas gauge of your car (F, ¾, ½, ¼, etc.). A red marker or float indicates the amount of fuel left in your tank – if it is at the bottom of the gauge or not visible at all, your tank is empty or near-empty.

A typical heating oil tank has a stated capacity of 275 gallons (340- and 420-gallon tanks are also common). But beware: the capacity of the tank doesn’t reveal how much heating oil it actually holds. A 275-gallon tank actually holds about 240 gallons or so; the rest of the space is left to allow for air or debris that accumulates at the bottom of your tank. So, if your gauge reads “½” in a 275-gallon tank, you actually have about 120 gallons left – not 135-140.

To make sure the gauge is working, carefully remove the outer case and gently press the float down. If it bobs back up to the original position, the gauge is working. If the gauge is not working, contact us –we’ll check it out.

A rule of thumb: If outdoor temperatures average about 32° over a 24-hour period, a typical 2,500 square foot house will burn about six or seven gallons of heating oil per day. So, for example, if temperatures are right around the freezing mark and you have a quarter of a tank of oil left in your 275-gallon tank (which, remember, holds 240 gallons), you’ll have enough oil to last about a week (which is why we urge you to call for your heating oil delivery when your tank gets no lower than one-quarter full, especially during cold weather.

Many factors influence how much fuel you’ll burn, of course – the outside temperature, the efficiency of your heating equipment, and the efficiency of your home, to name a few. Remember: it’s always better to be conservative and order your heating oil early rather than getting stuck in a no-heat emergency.

The best way to avoid heating delivery hassles and drastically reduce the odds of a heating oil-run out? Sign up for automatic heating oil delivery from Ace-Robbins. With automatic delivery, we’ll estimate your delivery date based on your past use and the current weather, scheduling your delivery when your tank reaches about one-quarter full. The service is absolutely FREE – no service charges, no fees, no worries. Contact us today to learn more.

Well, 2020 is officially behind us – it’s officially time to move forward with our new pledges to the comfort and wellbeing of our families. Here are seven promises to make and keep that will save you money, keep you cozy and help you get more peace of mind in 2021:

1. Take care of the little things – Home energy efficiency and comfort are as much about small lifestyle changes as they are about equipment investments. Commit to taking care of the basics – change your air filters regularly, keep your vents and baseboards clear, close exterior doors, caulk cracks around windows, install low-flow aerators and showerheads – the little things add up!
2. Use your thermostat – About 9 out of 10 Americans don’t use their thermostat for anything more than adjusting temperature when they’re too hot or too cold – which is a shame considering that managing the temperature of your home with a programmable or smart thermostat is about the easiest way to save 10 percent on your heating and cooling bills. Take an afternoon and learn how your thermostat works – and if you don’t have one, strongly consider the investment: it will pay for itself the first year you do.
3. Commit to convenience – Take advantage of convenient services that can reduce stress about your bills and fuel deliveries and help you focus on something more interesting. Sign up for EZ Pay, for example, and you’ll get the same bill every month no matter how much heating oil or propane you use, while FREE automatic delivery service greatly reduces the risk of a fuel run-out.
4. Maintain your equipment – Probably the most important thing you can do for your home comfort is to get your heating and cooling system tuned up every year. Routine service pays for itself by keeping efficiency high and repair risk low. Want even more value for your heating system upkeep? Go for an Ace-Robbins Service Plan.
5. Clean out the clutter – Sick of being surrounded by stuff? Use our prohauling service to shed your sundries. Spring is less than two months away, and we can all use a little purge this year.
6. Upgrade wisely – Even if you maintain your equipment diligently, there will come a time when replacing your heating or cooling system makes more sense than repairing it. When that time comes, don’t hesistate – an upgrade will usually pay for itself in a few years in the form of lower energy bills, and will provide more reliable performance in the meantime.
7. On occasion, splurge – Sometimes you need to treat yourself (we’ve certainly earned a treat after last year)! Whether your pleasure is an upgraded appliance, a propane hearth, or a propane powered outdoor kitchen, we’re here to make it happen.

Wave goodbye to 2020 and start 2021 out right with expert service and equipment and appliance upgrades from Ace-Robbins. Contact us today to learn about home comfort equipment installations in Wyoming County, PA!

It’s been a challenging year so far, with what looks like a long and stressful winter ahead of us here in Pennsylvania (and, well, everywhere else). In other words, it’s the perfect time to spend a big chunk of the next few months relaxing in front of a warm, healing hearth.

The problem with that scenario is that gathering wood, starting and maintaining a fire, and cleaning up afterwards takes a lot of effort – sometimes too much effort to justify a few short hours of relaxation. If that’s the case, and you still want to enjoy a winter full of cozy fires, a propane gas log set could be perfect for you.

Propane gas logs offer an efficient, convenient alternative to burning wood if you have an existing brick or concrete mantle. Choose propane gas logs and you’ll:

1. Enjoy one-button convenience – Push a button and voila – instant fire. Push it again and the fire’s out, with no waiting for embers to die down.
2. Reduce your heating bills – A new propane fireplace insert is about four times more efficient than one that burns wood, so you’ll spend less money to keep it running. A direct-vent propane fireplace is also an efficient source of supplemental heat that can take some of the load off your central heating system, allowing you to drop the thermostat in your house a few degrees.
3. Stay safer – Open fires pose many dangers, from falling wood to flying embers and blown-back smoke – not to mention creosote buildup in your chimney, which is a major fire hazard (and a costly expense to keep on top of). All of these problems are eliminated with gas logs – just get them professionally maintained once a year and you’ll be good to go.
4. Decrease your impact on the environment – Less fuel needed means a smaller carbon footprint for your home. Propane also burns cleaner than wood, so there are fewer carbon emissions – especially particulates – with a propane fireplace insert.

Want to learn more about propane gas log sets – or propane fireplaces – for your southeastern Pennsylvania home? Contact Ace-Robbins today for a FREE estimate on propane hearth installations in Wyoming County, PA!

If you use propane gas appliances in your Pennsylvania home, you can rest easy knowing that you’re using one of the safest fuels around.

A big reason why propane is so safe is because its fuel’s use, delivery and handling are very tightly regulated by federal, state, local, and industry rules; several of those regulations are related to propane leak tests.

Propane Leak Tests: Why Do You Need Them?

To understand why leak tests are needed for your propane system, you first have to understand some basics about how propane equipment works.

Propane systems use plumbing pipes to connect the main supply of propane (your propane tank) to appliances in your home. Propane gas is forced through these pipes, creating pressure on pipe fittings and the hardening compounds that seal them. As gas pressure varies, pipes joints and seals weaken; over time, this could lead to a gas leak. A leak test checks the integrity of these joints and seals.

When Do I Need A Propane Leak Test?

Federal law requires propane leak tests to be performed any time there is an interruption of service – that is, any time the flow of gas has stopped for any reason.

As NFPA 54 (2006), 8.2.3 states,

Immediately after the gas is turned on into a new system or into a system that has been initially restored after an interruption of service, the piping system shall be tested for leakage. If leakage is indicated, the gas supply shall be shut off until the necessary repairs have been made.

In other words, this means that a leak test must be performed:

• Any time you install propane equipment
• Any time you begin new propane service or change residence
• After an interruption of service for repairs, equipment shut-off/disconnect, etc.
• After a fuel runout
• If a leak is suspected
• If service has been suspended due to an unpaid account balance

If any of the above applies, then a leak/pressure test – performed by a licensed, qualified professional – is required before a propane delivery can be attempted.

Avoiding Unnecessary Propane Leak Tests

The most common reason customers why customers need a leak test is because they run out of gas. For this reason, we recommend taking the following steps to reduce the likelihood of a propane run-out:

• If you are a will call customer, keep a close eye on fuel levels; contact us for a propane delivery when the tank is no less than one-quarter full, especially during cold weather.
• Strongly consider enrolling in automatic propane delivery from Ace-Robbins. With automatic delivery, we will estimate your delivery time based on past usage and the current weather. levels and schedule deliveries to make sure you never run out of propane.
• Install a propane tank monitor. If you want a fool-proof way to avoid propane run-outs, let Ace-Robbins install a propane tank monitor, which alerts us automatically when you’re nearing the end of your propane supply.

Need a propane equipment inspection in northeastern Pennsylvania? We can help. Contact Ace-Robbins today for licensed propane service and propane deliveries in Wyoming County PA!

A propane fireplace can be a great source of cozy comfort during a Pennsylvania winter– and with most of us spending more time than usual at home this year, a little comfort can go a long way.

But before you start firing up your hearth on the daily, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s running safely and reliably. Here are some tips for doing that.

1. Re-visit the manual – If it’s been a while since you used your fireplace or propane gas log set, give the user’s manual a once-over – just in case.
2. Clear your exhaust vents – Leaves, branches, and other debris can get into your fireplace vent during the offseason; be sure to clear it to avoid having a fire or carbon monoxide hazard in your home.
3. Inspect the glass of your insert – If you have an enclosed fireplace insert, check the casing for cracks or chips; the enclosure helps keep harmful gases out of your living space. Make sure the glass closes securely and operates properly.
4. Clean the logs – The ceramic decorative logs in your propane gas log set can get dusty in the offseason, which could cause an unpleasant burning smell when you start a fire. When cleaning a propane gas log set,
• Make sure your propane gas valve is closed before performing any work or cleaning
• Photograph your logs so you can return them to their exact positions
• Use a handheld vacuum and/or microfiber cloth to remove dust
• Return logs to their original position.
5. Clean the blower – If your fireplace insert or propane fireplace has a fan or blower, use a vacuum or duster to clear away any excess dust.
6. Check the pilot Light – If your fireplace has a pilot light (rather than an electronic ignition), inspect it visually; if the flame burns yellow, you could have a leak; contact us for service.
7. Schedule professional maintenance – Like any fuel-burning appliance, a propane gas fireplace should be maintained by a professional every year to keep it running safely and efficiently.

The best way to do that? Add propane fireplace coverage to your Ace-Robbins Propane Preventative Maintenance Plan. Coverage includes equipment inspection and cleaning, efficiency and leak checks, and more – contact us for details.

Make your home a place of peace and comfort this fall with a propane gas fireplace –installed and maintained by the pros at Ace-Robbins. Contact us today to learn more! about propane fireplace installations and propane fireplace maintenance in southeastern PA!

When people ask us why they should choose Ace-Robbins for their propane deliveries or heating oil deliveries, to service heating equipment and cooling equipment, or to install appliances in their home, the answer is simple: because we are committed to providing the best customer experience available in our Pennsylvania service area.

We know that part of that a big part of that experience happens online – especially these days – which is why we’ve launched our beautiful new website!

We’ve made our new site cleaner, faster-loading, easier to use, and even more filled with content about great services like Prohauling, our air conditioning service plans, and more. With tools like our online My Account page, it’s now easier than to do business with us – and to benefit from our help and expertise.

Of course, our blog is still cranking out money saving tips and tricks, so please bookmark this page to find new ways to save money, stay comfortable, and keep your business on the move all year round.

Enjoy our new website, and thanks again for choosing Ace-Robbins!

Dear Friends,

No one knows what this winter will serve up. Heck, I still do not know what to call this year. Leap Over This Year?

Anyway, in studying trends in our business, is there actually any upside to this COVID-19 crisis? Did the federal government just revert from 40 years of global capitalism? Were we not able to see it through all the negative messaging from the media? (Most of them are in business to make money, not deliver news.)

In less than three months, the United States government was able to accomplish what American Express has been trying for years during the holiday season — that is, “shop local.”

Without our even realizing the benefits of shopping locally, there has been an incredibly positive effect on our environment. Products made or produced locally use fewer fossil fuels to bring to the table. We drive fewer miles, and we spend more time focusing on one another. Small businesses are not a price tag on your garment. Your neighbors, friends and small business owners understand better than anybody else. Every customer is a great customer. Every one.

The third thing I think happened was something that may be slowly taking place under a Republican administration, having continued from a Democratic administration. That’s the growth of United States jobs. The focus is to bring manufacturing jobs and our agriculture production back to the United States.

All in one year and during a pandemic, we went from working very long hours to something more normal. Retail businesses close at a reasonable hour, and if you need something on a Sunday, you might just have to wait till Monday.

Cheers,

Abe Kukuchka
Director of Distribution

While few people could have predicted the massive disruption we have faced since the spring, in some ways we have been preparing our business for this for years.

After several destructive storms, our company decided that we needed to invest in technology to make it possible to service customers even if our physical office was shut down. That has really paid off for our customers and our team.

Our technicians all have handheld computers. Technicians can be dispatched from home, and they have access to all customer records and service histories.

Our drivers have onboard computers that allow us to give them their delivery stops and routes electronically.

Our customers can look up account information online, pay bills with credit cards or a bank draft, choose paperless billing, and more.

Our fuel storage terminal gives us unequaled access to supply in the event of shortages.

Feel confident that we are better positioned to meet the current challenge than virtually any other fuel company in the area.