Many Pennsylvania homeowners turn to either propane gas or heating oil furnaces and boilers heat their homes. Both fuels will keep your house warm, and both will do the job better than electricity-based system in virtually every way.
However, if it’s time to replace an older heating system – or to install one in a newly-built house – it pays to consider the pros and cons of each.
Here is a quick guide to some of the bigger ones:
If you’re a heating oil customer with an aging heating system thinking about making the switch to propane, there are many reasons to do it – but it’s going to take careful consideration to make the right call.
If you want to explore whether converting your home system to propane makes sense, give us a call – we’ve had years of experience making the switch for PA homeowners and can walk you through your options so you can make the best call for you. If you’re considering either of these fuel options for a newly-built home, we can help you make that decision, too.
Thinking about switching the heating fuel in your Wyoming County home, or choosing one for your new home? We can help you make the right choice! Contact us today to learn more.
It’s been a unique summer this year, with most of us home more than usual and turning to our home and outdoor space for sanity and staycation time.
But soon summer 2020 will be over – unless you extend it with the power of propane.
Propane outdoor living appliances can stretch your summer by a month or more – good news as the days get shorter and the nights get cooler here in Wyoming County. Here are just some of the possibilities for using propane in your outdoor entertainment area:
Extend your summer with outdoor living equipment! Contact Ace-Robbins today for a FREE estimate on propane equipment installations in Wyoming County, PA.
Already have propane outdoor living equipment? Don’t forget to schedule a propane delivery in Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Sullivan, and Wyoming Counties, PA!
Whole house backup generators can provide an emergency power supply, enabling you to keep important equipment running during a power outage. But are they safe to own and operate?
Absolutely – if they are properly chosen and installed by professionals!
Today’s whole house propane backup generators do much more than simply keep you out of the dark. Depending on the size and power of the unit, a propane whole house generator could prevent damage to your property by powering your sump pump, protect your family by keeping the heat on and emergency medical equipment powered up, and more.
But how do you choose a whole house backup generator, and what safety issues should you keep in mind when operating it? Here are some basics.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to installing a propane whole house generator safely is that it is NOT a DIY job! ALWAYS have your generator installed by a professional with the proper credentials for handling the electric and HVAC requirements of the work.
Sizing a propane whole house generator comes down to considering two important factors: the size of your home, and the number of appliances / systems you want to operate during an outage. This checklist should give you a starting point of what equipment you may want to power:
Work with a generator installation specialist to determine how large a unit you will need to meet the backup power requirements of your home.
A whole house backup generator should run safely for many years – as long as it is properly installed and maintained.
Follow these basics to enjoy peace of mind for years to come:
Thinking about investing in a whole house propane generator? We can help. Contact Ace-Robbins today to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a propane backup generator installation in Wyoming County, PA.
Power outages caused by severe weather are becoming more common these days, and their consequences are greater than ever – especially with everyone home for school and work the way they are right now.
The best way to avoid the problems of a power outage is to install a whole house generator – a permanent addition to your home that powers up automatically the moment it detects a cutoff of power from the grid. Powered by propane, a backup generator can not only keep the lights on – it can keep your sump pump working, your security systems online, and life-saving medical equipment functioning.
But how do you choose a backup generator? Here are three considerations that will factor into your buying decision.
Factor 1: Capacity – The capacity of generator you need depends primarily on the size of your home and what equipment you want to power during an outage.
Generators come in a wide range of capacities. A small, easy-to-place 8 kilowatt (kW) unit, for example, can operate power essentials such as lights, refrigerator, TV, and other small appliances. A large 25 kW commercial-grade generator, on the other hand, can easily run a home HVAC system in addition to those items.
A good place to start in determining the capacity of generator you need is to break your usage down into two categories: Essentials (lights, refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan, security system, TV/computers, and microwave), and high-wattage items, such as your A/C or heat pump, clothes dryer, water heater, and oven or stove. Once you make that determination, you can decide what you’re willing to spend to protect those functions during an outage.
Factor 2: Size/placement – Whole house generators can be as large or even slightly larger than the outdoor unit of your central A/C, depending on the power output – so you’ll room outside your home. Whole house generators also need to be near electricity, and they must be placed to comply with flood, noise and electrical codes – big reasons why a whole house generator must be installed by a professional.
Factor 3: Cost – Stand-by propane generators range in price between $3,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the size and capacity of the unit. The greater the capacity, the higher the price.
Thinking about investing in a whole house propane generator? We can help. Contact Ace-Robbins today to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a propane generator for your Wyoming County, PA home.
If you’re a Will Call customer, it’s a good idea to start getting back in the habit of monitoring your fuel gauge as we head into September.
Or, you could Ace-Robbins take care of that for you by signing up for automatic delivery for your propane or heating oil.
If you’re not familiar with automatic delivery, here’s how it works:
Automatic delivery is definitely a step up from Will Call in the peace of mind department, but since it is based on an estimate of your past usage rather than your actual usage, there is always a chance for an unexpected surprise that leaves you calling us for an emergency propane or heating oil fill-up.
Unless you use our new Tank Utility remote monitoring system, that is.
Tank Utility’s remote monitoring system – available for a nominal monthly fee – tracks your actual usage and alerts us when it’s time to fill your tank. You’ll even get an email or text to let you know your fuel level is getting low. The monitor is quick to install and virtually maintenance free – you don’t even need to be around when we install it!
Don’t risk a fuel run-out – sign up for FREE automatic propane or heating oil delivery or convenient Tank Utility service from Ace-Robbins. Contact us today to learn more!
If you’re using it to power space heaters, water heaters, fireplaces, and other appliances in your Wyoming County home, you already know that propane gas one of the most versatile sources of home energy around.
But did you know it’s also one of the greenest?
Here are four big ways that using propane benefits the environment:
If you’re looking for a way to lessen your environmental impact while lowering your bills and keeping your family comfortable all year long – propane is a great choice. If you need a reliable propane supplier anywhere in Tunhannock, PA service area, Ace-Robbins is the choice.
Propane – the clean, green fuel alternative! Contact us today to learn more about making the switch to propane – or arranging reliable propane deliveries in Wyoming County, PA.
If you have an appliance that burns fuel to produce energy – whether it is a water heater, furnace, boiler, fireplace, or cooking range – it emits at least some carbon monoxide (CO) as it runs.
If properly vented with functioning equipment, these emissions are harmless – but if CO accumulates in your home, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning – a dangerous and possibly deadly threat.
Here’s what you need to know about carbon monoxide, its dangers, and how to prevent them.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel, including heating oil, gasoline, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, propane, or natural gas.
A buildup of CO typically occurs due to improper ventilation or broken equipment. Some causes of CO buildup include operating unvented appliances for too long, a broken or improperly maintained heating system, a backdraft near the heating appliance, or a blocked flue or vent.
Symptoms of CO poisoning vary depending on the amount of exposure to the gas. Mild symptoms include flu-like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness; moderate symptoms include severe headaches, drowsiness, confusion, and disorientation; extreme case symptoms include unconsciousness, convulsions, heart failure, and in rare cases death.
If you are experiencing CO poisoning symptoms,
Always assume your CO alarm is operating correctly! If it sounds,
At Ace-Robbins, your safety is always our priority! If you have any questions about carbon monoxide safety, or believe that any of your equipment requires expert heating repair in southeastern PA, contact us today.
Like you, I cannot remember a time quite like the one we are living in. Social distancing. Quarantine. Flattening the curve. These are phrases we are all familiar with now. As glimmers of hope appear on the horizon, my deepest hope is that you are weathering the storm and that you and your family are well.
Our employees have really stepped up in response to the current challenge, once again demonstrating their commitment to your comfort and safety. We have adopted strict safeguards when dealing with our customers; our technicians will wear a mask and gloves at all times when inside your home, and they will adhere to strict social distancing guidelines.
When you are spending so much more time at home, you are ‘using’ your house more, and the cracks can begin to show. Heating and AC systems that run more than usual during the day can break down. Little annoyances can become problems — like an old water heater that starts running out of hot water.
No matter what issue you may encounter while you are at home, Ace-Robbins is here for you and ready to help. While we have changed the way we handle some things in response to the pandemic, we are more than up to the challenge, and our commitment to servicing your home comfort needs is stronger than ever.
Stay safe and be well.
Sincerely,
Abe Kukuchka
Director of Distribution
Karen Bishop joined us in January, bringing with her many years of customer service experience. She’s on the phone all day with customers who need a service appointment, a tune-up or a fuel delivery. Sometimes folks call Karen to tell her they have run out of fuel (something that can be avoided by signing up for automatic delivery). Karen wants to remind propane customers who prefer to call for their deliveries that they should always do so before the gauge on their tank reaches the 30% mark.
The warmer winter gave homeowners a break on heating costs. Overall, our customers spent a lot less on fuel than they did last winter.
Ace-Robbins has been looking after the energy needs of our neighbors for more than 75 years, and we are constantly looking for ways to lower your costs. One way to save is with a service plan, which not only keeps your system in good working order but keeps your fuel costs down.
Whether you use heating oil or propane, it pays to enroll in EZ Pay, which levels out your monthly payments and gives you a 15¢-per-gallon discount (We also offer senior citizen discounts, by the gallon.) Set up automatic payments with electronic funds transfer (EFT) and we’ll also give you a $25 fuel credit.
We’ve got lots of ideas about how you can lower the cost of your home comfort, so please contact us today if you’d like to learn more.
