Did you know that major power outages occur 10 TIMES more frequently today than they did in the 1980s, and more than twice as often as they did less than 20 years ago?

Those are some scary statistics – and with many states (including Pennsylvania) pushing for increased electric use for home eating (something that will cost you in a big way – more on that in a future blog), those outage numbers are sure to rise even more in the coming years.

The problem with power outages, of course, is that they are more than an inconvenience – they can be costly or even dangerous for a homeowner in PA. Without power, your sump pump and even home emergency medical equipment won’t work – not to mention your heating system, refrigerator, and other critical appliances.

The good news is that a backup generator can help keep the power on and keep your family safe during an outage. But not all power generators are created equal: when shopping for a generator, you need to choose one with a wattage output equal to what you need to power.

Let’s take a closer look at generator choices for your Pennsylvania home.

Portable vs. Standby Generators: Pros and Cons

Portable Generators

Portable generators are standalone units that are typically powered by gasoline – although they can also be powered by diesel or propane. They connect manually to your circuit breaker, and you have to start them yourself.

Pros

• Less expensive – Smaller portable generators cost between $500 and $1,500 – far less than standby generators. They also don’t need professional installation to work effectively. Low up-front costs are the primary reason why many homeowners choose a portable generator. But as we’ll see, up-front costs aren’t the only factor to consider when choosing a generator.
• Smaller – Portable generators aren’t connected to your home, so they don’t need to take up space unless they’re in use.

Cons

• Manual operation – Portable generators are easy to use, but require manual operation and close monitoring. This is an important difference to consider: if you leave for vacation the day before a power outage, for example, you could return to headaches ranging from a flooded basement (due to a failed sump pump) to a refrigerator full of rotten food. This won’t happen with a standby generator, which turns on automatically when grid power shuts down.
• Less power – Portable generators provide enough energy to back up a few appliances (think microwave, lighting, TV, etc.) for a shorter period of time. But its power is limited: if you want a generator that will keep your home heating and cooling system running, you’ll need a standby generator.
• Noisy – A portable generator sounds a bit like a slightly quieter lawn mower, so if you’re sensitive to loud noises, it may not be the choice for you.

Standby Generators

Standby generators (also called backup or whole-house generators) are permanently-installed units that can be powered by gasoline, diesel or propane. They must be professionally installed and integrated with your home HVAC and electrical systems. A generator unit is about the size of your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser unit.

Pros

• Whole-house power – A standby generator can power just about any appliance your family wants to use, including your home HVAC equipment, home security system, emergency medical equipment, and more (as long as the generator is sized correctly – one big reason to have your generator installed by a pro).
• Extreme convenience – Standby generators turn on immediately as soon as power from the grid is interrupted, whether or not you’re home. They operate quietly and consistently, as long as they’re properly maintained and filled with propane. Once power is restored, your standby generator shuts down.
• Durable value – Standby generators last about 15 years, and they typically add enough to the resale value of your home to recoup much of the cost of installation if you intend to sell. Refrigerator

Cons

• Costly to install – You don’t have to lift a finger to operate your standby generator, but that convenience doesn’t come cheap. Including professional consultation—critical to sizing your generator – and installation, a standby generator can cost $10,000 or more. However, when you consider that the average amount of damage from a flood is about $4,000, it can quickly make itself a great value for your family – especially if you intend to sell your home in the next 10 years.

Whatever You Choose, Power It With Propane

Whether you choose a portable or stationary standby whole house generator, be sure to power it with propane gas. Propane provides consistent, clean-burning power that works reliably in any weather, including the low temperatures we often see in Pennsylvania in January and February. It’s also cheaper per gallon than gasoline or diesel, which can really add up during a lengthy outage.

Considering installing a propane standby generator? We can help! Contact Ace-Robbins today to learn more about propane generator installations in Wyoming County, PA. Need a propane delivery for your current generator? We can help there, too – contact us today for propane deliveries in eastern Pennsylvania!

If you have a propane grill or propane patio heater, chances are you power it from a 20-pound propane cylinder. Since propane is a flammable gas, it needs to be stored safely outdoors; by using the proper storage techniques, you can keep your cylinder working well for years to come.

Here are six things to keep in mind if you want to store your propane cylinder safely.

1. Don’t leave your tank in an enclosed space. If a propane gas leaks indoors, it could make the area dangerous to be near, let alone in. The spark of a light switch could be enough to cause a terrible accident. Always store propane tanks outside. Mark the area where your tanks are with flags during snow season so you can easily find them in the event of accumulation. Consider storing them with a waterproof cover, or inside a tank box certified for that purpose, to minimize rust and tank damage.
2. Store the tank upright on a flat surface. Always store a tank upright, since the over-pressure vent must be in contact with the propane vapor, not the liquid, to work effectively. Make sure that the area is flat so the tank doesn’t tip over or roll away.
3. Avoid temperature extremes. Keep your tank above −40 °F (−40 °C) in cold months. As the temperature drops, the pressure in your tank will decrease. During cold months, make sure the propane tank is in a sunlit area so that it can absorb radiant heat every day. During summer, avoid exposing your tank to temperatures above 120 °F (49 °C). As the temperature rises, the pressure inside your tank rises, too. Never leave your tank in the sunlight during the hottest months! Look for a shady spot instead.
4. Keep your tank away from flammable materials. This includes open flames or any appliance that generates heat, including space heaters. Keep it away from your grill, too – if a fire breaks out, you’ll have two problems on your hands.
5. Keep your tank away from the vents and windows. Propane gas is heavier than air, so it will sink closer to the ground and may go into vents or basement windows. In the event of a leak, you don’t want to place tanks in an area where propane gas can enter you home. Never store your propane tank near air conditioners or heat vents, which could draw the gas into your home. If propane leaks into your home, evacuate the area immediately and call your local officials.
6. Attach your tank to your grill for an easy storage option. Turn the valve off (on top of your tank), and turn all grill valves to the “off” positions. Use a grill cover to protect it from the elements and direct sunlight. This makes it easier for you to use the grill at any time of the year.

Always practice safety in your propane-powered home! To learn more about propane safety, or to find out more about how we work hard every day to deliver your propane safely, contact the pros at Ace-Robbins today.

Your washer and dryer work hard to keep your clothes clean – but there are things that you can do to make them work a little less hard with the same great results.

Here are six things you can do to keep your washer and dryer running in top form:

Washing Machine Tips

1. Take steps to prevent mold and mildew – Mildew is the enemy of a clean wash! Take steps to prevent it: remove finished loads immediately after washing and leaving the washer door ajar when the machine is empty to avoid mildew and mold formation. Clean out the washer door’s rubber seal periodically with water and vinegar – trapped hair and fabric can also encourage mold and mildew build up.
2. Clean your machine – If your washer doesn’t have a self-cleaning cycle, pour distilled white vinegar instead of laundry detergent into the dispenser and add a cup of baking soda to the drum about once every month, running the machine on its hottest cycle. This will neutralize pH in the machine and scrub the interior.
3. Check your hoses – Regularly check your washing machine’s water hoses for signs of wear or weakness. If you find cracks or blistering, replace the hose; damaged hoses can leak or burst, causing flood damage. Replace hoses every five years or so.

Dryer Tips

1. Keep the vent hose as short as possible – Shortening your dryer’s vent hose can reduce drying times by 20 percent or more, cutting down energy use and saving you time and money.
2. Pre-dry loads – Drying clothes on an indoor drying rack can cut drying time by 25 percent or more.  If you don’t like air-dry stiffness, just put your clothes in the dryer for with a dryer sheet for 2-3 minutes to soften them. 
3. Use a dry towel – If you need to dry wet clothes fast, toss in a clean, dry cotton towel with your load. The towel will soak up moisture, speeding your dry time.

Time to upgrade your washer, dryer, or any other home appliance? We can help. Ace-Robbins features dozens of options from top brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid and more. To learn more, check out our appliances page, or visit us at our Tunkhannock. PA showroom!

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, getting one is a smart move: if you use it correctly, it will often pay for itself in the first year you own it.

If you plan to invest in a programmable thermostat, it’s helpful to know what kind of features are available. Let’s take a look at the basics.

Thermostat Programming Types

One feature that distinguishes one programmable thermostat from another is programming flexibility: some models allow a more sophisticated combination of settings, others a more limited one.

Typical models, ranked in order here from most to least flexible, offer:

• 7-day programming, which lets you program a different heating/cooling schedule for each day of the week;
• 5-1-1 programming, which allows one heating/cooling schedule for the week, plus separate ones for Saturday and Sunday;
• 5-2 programming, which lets you program on heating/cooling schedule for the week and one for the weekend; and
• 1-week programming, Daily program

Models with more features tend to have prices to match; choose the model that best fits with your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Re-Setting Your Programmable Thermostat

No matter which of these options you own, you’ll want to change the default or factory settings, since most programmable thermostats are pre-programmed for the “typical American family.” You want settings that work with your family in your home.

The settings you can control on virtually all types of programmable thermostats are:

• Wake time
• Sleep time
• Leave time
• Return time

The U.S Department of Energy suggests the following settings for an optimum balance of comfort and savings:

Summer months:

• When you’re home and awake, program air conditioning to 78°F.
• Program the AC to shut off during the hours you’re out of the house.

Winter months:

• When you’re home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°F.
• Lower temperatures by 10° for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.

In general,

• Program heat or A/C to shut off 20-30 minutes before you leave home each day; return them to normal comfort levels 20 to 30 minutes before you come home.
• Program reductions in heating or cooling to begin 60 minutes before you go to sleep; return them to normal comfort levels 30 minutes before you awaken.

Smart Thermostats

One type of programmable that has become increasingly popular in recent years is a WiFi, or smart thermostat.

With a WiFi thermostat, you have the same ability to change temperatures at certain times a day, but you can also control your HVAC equipment from a distance via your smart phone. This makes this WiFi thermostats an ideal solution for a second home, or for a busy family that spends a lot of time on the road.

Save 10 percent on your annual energy bill without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat and using it correctly. Contact Ace-Robbins today to learn more about programmable thermostat installations in Wyoming County, PA!

The propane tank is the heart of a propane-powered home, pumping gas to appliances that keep us warm, heat our water, cook our food, and more.

But choosing the tank size you need to power those appliances isn’t always easy to understand. How big a tank will you need to store propane for your furnace or outdoor living appliances? How much space will you need to place the tank? Do I need a horizontal tank or a vertical propane cylinder?

Propane Tanks 101

Here’s a short guide to propane tanks, including their capacity, dimensions, and typical uses for propane appliances around the home.

• 20-pound tank (portable) – If you have a portable propane grill, you’re probably familiar with the 20-pound propane tank. At about 1.5 feet tall and one foot wide, they hold about five gallons of propane – enough to work well for grills, patio heaters, and mosquito catchers. These tanks are typically brought in to a supplier to be exchanged rather than refilled.
• 100-pound tank (portable) – A step up in size from the common 20-pound tank, a 100-pound tank is great for use with a single appliance, such as a fireplace, stove, or clothes dryer. Like the 20-pound tank, these tanks are typically exchanged rather than refilled. A 100-pound tank must be placed at least three feet from doors or windows and five feet from an ignition source.
• 120-gallon and 250-gallon tanks (stationary) – Permanently installed at your home or work site, these intermediate propane tank sizes are good for most propane equipment applications except whole-house heating. Equipment may include stoves, clothes dryers, water heaters, space heaters, generators or fireplaces.
  Typical sizes are:
  • 120 gallon: 4’6″ high and 30″ in diameter (cylinder)
  • 250 gallon: 7’10” long and 30″ in diameter (“torpedo” type)
• 325-gallon or 500-gallon tanks (stationary) – Another permanently installed tank, these larger tanks are typically installed in households that use 100–200 gallons a month; a 500-gallon propane tank will be appropriate to heat most houses ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet.
  Typical sizes are:
  • 350 gallon: 9’11” long and 30″ in diameter
  • 500 gallon: 9’11” long and 37.5″ in diameter
• 1,000-gallon tanks (stationary) – These tanks are used for large residential applications (4,500+ square feet) or commercial and industrial applications.
  Typical size is:
  • 1,000 gallon: 16’1.5″ long and 41″ in diameter

Need propane tank installation in Wyoming County? We can help. Contact the pros at Ace-Robbins today to learn more!

If you use propane to power your boiler or furnace, you already know how efficient and clean burning it is. The question is why aren’t you using propane in other ways throughout your home?

We see it in our house calls all the time: a customer will have a propane furnace and an electric water heater, not realizing that switching to propane could save them 30 percent or more on their monthly bills – especially if they go tankless!

Why Choose Propane?

The benefits of propane as a power source for appliances aren’t limited to water heaters – or efficiency – either. Consider that:

• A propane cooking range gives you precision temperature that no electric cooktop can match (which is why 95 percent of pro chefs choose gas ranges).
• A propane pool heater can extend your swimming season by a month or more.
• A propane whole-house generator can give you peace of mind knowing you have instant backup power in the event of an outage.
• A built-in outdoor grill combines the convenience of cooking with gas with delicious flame-broiled flavor.
• An indoor or outdoor propane hearth will give you that amazing golden fireside glow without the set-up or clean-up hassles of a wood fire.
• A propane clothes dryer will dry faster and cause less wear and tear on your favorite clothes.
• Propane space and patio heaters deliver heat more effectively to a wider warming radius than even the most powerful electric space heaters can – and do it for less money, too.

The bottom line: every propane appliance you add to your home adds to your quality of life, helping you get better performance and more comfort for your hard-earned dollar. And best of all, all these appliances can be linked to a single propane tank. Talk about simplicity!

Thinking about adding propane appliances to your home? Let’s make a plan! Contact Ace-Robbins today to learn more about propane appliance installation in Wyoming County and get a FREE, no obligation estimate.

You probably know that about half the energy your home uses during the summer can be attributed to your central air conditioner. The good news, if you’re a conscientious energy user, is that there are easy and effective ways to chip away at that number.

How To Improve A/C Efficiency

Here are ten tips for maximizing your A/C efficiency in the hot months to come.

1. Check air filters regularly – Check your filters about once a month, cleaning or replacing them (depending on the model) as needed. A clogged air filter can reduce A/C efficiency by 10 to 15 percent, and will eventually lead to unnecessary wear and tear on your equipment.
2. Clean your vents – Remove anything that blocks your vents to maintain steady airflow through your system. Vacuum your vents periodically – especially if you have shedding pets – and keep away furniture, rugs, or drapes.
3. Mind your ductwork – Duct leaks can keep cool air from ever reaching your living space. Look for obvious air leaks in visible ducts, especially at duct joints. But remember: most of your ductwork is behind the walls, so consider a professional duct inspection about once every five years.
4. Program your thermostat – With a central air conditioner, every degree you drop your thermostat below 75 degrees results in a three to five percent uptick in energy use. For the best balance of comfort and economy, shoot for a summertime indoor temperature of about 78 degrees, says the U.S. Department of Energy.
5. Don’t forget your windows – Keep windows (and exterior doors) closed when your A/C is running. In the hot summer months, consider hanging window treatments that reflect rather than absorb light and heat (for more efficiency tips using window treatments, see the U.S. Department of Energy website.
6. Fix air leaks – Air leaks are a big contributor to lost efficiency all year long. Use caulk and weather stripping to reduce leaks around exterior doors and windows, and use doorsweeps to guard against drafts between conditioned and unconditioned spaces (your garage and entry hallway, for example).
7. Keep your condensing unit out of the sun – Keeping your outdoor condensing unit out of the sun can reduce A/C costs by about two percent. Shade with a high overhang – never cover or block the airflow of your condensing unit!
8. Use your ceiling fans – Moving air feels cooler when you’re in the room, so turn on those ceiling fans when people are around – you’ll be able to keep temperatures a little warmer with no loss in comfort.
9. Maintain your equipment – Your cooling equipment will lose about five percent efficiency every year that it’s not serviced – which means that professional cooling maintenance will basically pay for itself in lower cooling bills alone. It will also help keep your A/C running more reliably.
10. Choose an HVAC pro for upgrades – An expert air conditioning technician will do the little things that will help your system deliver value – and better performance – year after year. They’ll also know the ins and outs on tax credits, incentives, and manufacturer’s rebates, so they’ll be able to steer you in the direction of better deals on ENERGY STAR®-certified equipment. Choose an HVAC pro that offers in-person evaluations – not just formulas – if you want to get the most energy bang for your buck.

Summer’s coming – is your A/C ready? Let the pros at Ace Robbins check and make sure! Contact us today to learn more about A/C installations and central air conditioning maintenance in Wyoming County, PA!

National Barbecue Month is just weeks away – but that doesn’t mean you can’t fire up your propane grill right now!

As you prepare for the outdoor living season ahead, it’s smart to review some important safety reminders for your propane grill. Here are eight things to remember as you fire up for the coming season.

1. Keep your grill at least six feet away from your home on level ground.
2. Never leave your propane grill unattended.
3. Check hoses and connections for leaks before operating the grill.
4. Never light a gas grill with the lid closed – to light your grill, open the lid before turning on the gas at the tank. If the grill doesn’t light after a couple of clicks, turn off the burner, turn the gas off at the tank, and wait 5 or 10 minutes before attempting to light it again.
5. Make sure to keep your grill lid accessible to extinguish small flare-ups. It’s also a good idea to portable fire extinguisher on-hand.
6. Never attach or disconnect a propane cylinder or adjust fittings while the grill is operating. If you run out of gas while grilling, turn off all the burners, reconnect the new tank, and re-light. When you finish grilling, shut the gas valve and disconnect the LP couplings before storing the grill.
7. When transporting your 20-lb OPD tank for re-filling, always:
   • Transport it upright (with the valve on top) in a secure position to prevent rolling
   • Close and plug the cylinder valve
   • Place the cylinder in a well-vented area inside the vehicle
   • Refrain from leaving the cylinder alone in a hot vehicle; go straight to your propane dealer and straight home when you pick it up.
8. Always practice food safety:
   • If you can’t wash your hands, use antibacterial wipes before eating or handling food – especially raw meat, poultry, or fish.
   • Separate raw meats from cooked and prepared foods. Store raw meats in a separate cooler, place raw meat on its own plate, and use different utensils to handle uncooked and cooked food.
   • Always cook meats to temperatures that ensure your safety.

Still using a charcoal barbecue? Make the switch to propane today and enjoy instant start-ups, no chemical fumes, and precision temperature control! Contact Ace-Robbins today to learn more about propane grills, propane cylinders, and outdoor kitchen installations in PA today.

If you get your water from a well or from a local municipal water supply here in Pennsylvania, chances are it contains a fair amount of minerals (the more minerals, the “harder” your water is).

Eventually, those minerals are going to crystalize in your plumbing system, causing a grey or white chalky-looking texture called limescale on surfaces where water touches.

That, of course, includes your water heater.

In a conventional storage water heater, minerals can accumulate at the bottom of your storage tank as sediment, which, if not flushed regularly, can reduce efficiency and even lead to premature equipment breakdown.

Since a tankless water heater doesn’t have a storage tank, that’s not an issue. However, the scale can still be a big problem on your tankless water heater’s heat exchanger (unless, of course, you install a water softening system).

Limescale On A Tankless Water Heater

When limescale builds up on the heat exchanger of a tankless water heater, your efficiency could drop by as much as 30 percent – essentially negating the efficiency benefits of using a tankless vs tank system.

The good news is it’s relatively easy to avoid a build-up of scale in your tankless water heater with a small investment of time and equipment.

How To Flush Your Tankless Water Heater

Please note: Before you try it yourself, always read the instructions the manufacturer gave you first! While the procedure detailed below is fairly standard, there might be slight but important variations based on your particular model. If you’re not comfortable tackling this procedure, don’t worry – we can take care of it for you. Just give us a call!

What you’ll need

• A tankless water heater flush pump
• Rubber or washing machine hoses to attach to the valves
• A water collecting bucket
• Vinegar or a tankless water heater descaling solution
• A channel lock wrench

Typical steps to descale a tankless water heater

1. Before you begin, set your temperature to 150°F and let hot water run through the heater for about a minute.
2. Shut off all the power to the water heater.
3. Close the incoming and outgoing water isolation valves. If your unit doesn’t have isolation valves, then you can buy some and install them yourself.
4. Have a bucket ready to collect water as it drains. There will be about a liter of water or so in the pipes of the tankless heater.
5. Drain the unit and connect hoses to the drain ports of the isolation valves “A” and “B”.
6. Dump this bucket or have another bucket ready to go with a solution to be pumped through the heater.
7. Fill an empty bucket with a mix descaling solution and water. About half a bucket of water will do the trick.
8. Open the isolation valves A and B.
9. Turn on the circulation pump. Let the solution circulate through the tankless water heater for at least 30 minutes, but an hour is better.
10. Drain the descaling solution from the heater and flush freshwater through the heater by closing valve “B”.
11. Open up valve “A” with a hose leading to an empty bucket.
12. Open up the inlet water valve to let freshwater flow through the unit and empty it into the empty bucket to get all of the solution out of the heat exchanger.

Descaling is not the only maintenance your water heater needs! Be sure to contact a water heater maintenance professional a minimum of once every two years for a conventional water heater, and once a year for a tankless water heater, to keep it running at its safest and best. Contact Ace-Robbins today to learn more about water heater maintenance in Wyoming County, PA!

Spring is officially here, and temperatures are creeping up here in Pennsylvania. Soon it will be time to switch your thermostat from heat to cool mode and fire up your central air conditioner or ductless cooling system.

But before you do that, don’t forget to have your cooling system looked at by HVAC professionals!

Professional A/C maintenance is critical to protecting the investment you’ve made in your home cooling equipment: routine service keeps your A/C running better for longer and can help an expert technician spot small problems before they turn into potentially costly air conditioning repairs.

Getting Ready For An A/C Service Visit

Although A/C maintenance should never be a DIY job, there are things you can get ready for a visit from the air conditioning pros at Ace-Robbins. Here are five small steps you can take to prepare for your annual A/C maintenance visit in the coming weeks:

Outdoors

1. Remove condenser covers – Take off seasonal covers, blankets, or lids before turning on the unit; leaving covers on while operating the unit for even a short time could do costly damage to your system.
2. Remove debris from the condenser unit and coil – Remove any branches, leaves, or other wind-blown fall and winter debris from your outdoor condenser unit.

Indoors

1. Clean the supply vents and return grills – Remove dust, pet hair, and any other debris from the supply and return air grills of your internal A/C unit – preferably with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter.
2. Move objects away from vents – Look for areas where curtains, furniture, or other items could be blocking air flow and reducing cooling efficiency.
3. Run your A/C for 30 minutes to make sure it works – Turn on your A/C unit and check the air coming out of the indoor vents for a few minutes. Check the system every few throughout the day. 

Get your central air conditioner in shape for the hot weather workout to come. Contact the pros at Ace Robbins today to schedule annual air conditioning maintenance in Wyoming County today!