Did you know that power outages are twice as common today as they were 10 years ago?

Aging transmission grids and power plants – combined with more intense weather events and a greater-than-ever demand for electricity – has left our homes and businesses vulnerable to a loss of power that can be inconvenient at best and dangerous (and costly) at worst.

That’s why now, more than ever, we think a propane standby generator is one of the best investments you can make in your Pennsylvania home.

Near-Instant Power Retrieval

Unlike a gas-powered portable generator, which needs to be connected and started before each use, a backup generator integrates permanently with your home’s electrical system and – if it has enough capacity – with your home HVAC system. When the grid goes down, the generator engages almost instantly – usually within 30 seconds – to power up your appliances.

Generators Are No Longer A Luxury

In the past, having backup power on-hand was a luxury for most homeowners. But today – especially with all the changes the pandemic has brought into our lives – having a reliable source of power has become a necessity. By starting up instantly when power from the grid is interrupted, a propane backup generator will enable you to:

• Keep working or studying from home – With so many of us earning our livelihood – or our degree – from home, an interruption in electric service can set us back for weeks.
• Keep your family protected – With many of our loved ones at home during the pandemic, using at-home medical equipment to treat conditions that keep them healthy, backup power can literally be a life saver.
• Keep your property protected – Electricity doesn’t just keep the lights on – it keeps protective devices like sump pumps working. Lose those invaluable pieces of equipment and you could suffer thousands of dollars in property damage from severe weather.
• Keep your food fresh – A back-up generator will keep your refrigerators and freezers on to keep hundreds of dollars of food from spoiling.

Propane whole house generator installations in PA

If you’re considering adding a propane backup generator, our technicians can help you install and connect it to your home HVAC and electrical systems. To learn more, or to get a no-obligation estimate on propane emergency generator installations in Pennsylvania, contact us today.

Protect your home and family with an emergency propane generator, professionally installed by Ace-Robbins. Contact us today for a FREE estimate on a propane whole house generator installations in Wyoming County, PA.

Looking for an easy way to save up to 10 percent on your heating and cooling bills? The answer could be right on your wall.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, that’s how much money you can save if you install and properly use a programmable thermostat. If you don’t have one already, investing in one is a smart move: by making it easy to set your indoor climate to suit your lifestyle , it could pay for itself in energy savings alone the first year you own it.

Programmable Thermostat Perks

But saving money isn’t the only advantage that a programmable thermostat provides. Consider these benefits:

• You’ll use less energy – About half of your home’s total energy use stems from heating and cooling. By programming your thermostat to keep reasonable temperatures (68 in the warming months, 78 in the cooling months when people are home) and reducing use when people are away or asleep, you’ll dramatically improve your home energy efficiency.
• You’ll be more comfortable – Programmable thermostats can be set to different temperatures according to your preference; drop temperatures to sleep cooler, or raise them on a Sunday when you know the whole family will be home. Programmable thermostats use digital technology to keep temperatures exactly where you want them.
• Your equipment will last longer – Installing a programmable thermostat can help reduce wear and tear on older heating and cooling equipment, improving its function and efficiency while prolonging its life span.
• You could control your climate remotely – Many of today’s programmable thermostats offer Wi-Fi technology that allows you to control your thermostat from a smartphone or tablet. Adjust temperatures while you are at work or away on vacation, or keep track of temperatures in your vacation home during the cold winter months.

A programmable thermostat may not cost much, but it will make a big impact on your family’s comfort – and your wallet. To learn more about programmable thermostat installations in Wyoming County, PA, contact Ace-Robbins today!

We’ve got a lot on our mind these days – even more than usual, with COVID complications. The busier life gets, the easier it is to forget the little things, like checking the fuel gauge on your home heating system.

The problem is that running out of heating oil or propane isn’t a “little” problem.

Besides the inconvenience and dangers of being in a cold house on a frigid day, run-outs can cause other problems. In an oil-fired system, thickened fuel from the bottom of your oil storage tank can clog filters and fuel lines – and with no heat, you could easily end up with frozen, or even bursting, water pipes that can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

If you have a propane-fired system, you’ll have other issues: if you run out of the gas, your system automatically shuts down and must be professionally restarted and pressure tested at your expense. Sudden changes in pressure caused by shutting down your system can also increase the likelihood of a propane leak.

The bottom line: a fuel run-out is something you really want to avoid.

How To Prevent Running Out Of Fuel

The good news is there are some simple things you can do to avoid a heating oil or propane run-out in your Vermont home:

• Choose automatic delivery – With automatic fuel delivery, we’ll estimate the delivery date of your fuel based on your past usage and the current weather. If you’re a propane customer and want to take away the guess work, install a tank monitor and we’ll both know exactly how much gas you have on hand at any moment. If you choose Will Call service, monitor your fuel gauge regularly, especially during a cold snap.
• Order when your tank is no less than 25 percent full (sooner if it is really cold). Don’t wait until the last minute – instant deliveries are not always possible.

If you do run out of fuel:

• Don’t panic!
• Take immediate steps to retain whatever heat you have in your house: close curtains, block under-door drafts, hang blankets over doorways, etc.
• If you have other ways to heat your space, such as fireplace, propane space heater, or electric heater, use them.
• NEVER use outdoor equipment (barbecues, outdoor stoves, etc.) indoors – carbon monoxide build up can be extremely dangerous or even deadly.
• Contact us for an emergency heating oil or propane delivery.

Getting low on heating oil or propane? Don’t panic, but don’t wait: contact Ace-Robbins today for a heating oil or propane delivery in Wyoming County, PA!

If you do choose to manage your own heating oil or propane deliveries, one of your most important jobs is to keep an eye on your fuel levels. If you’re new to your heating system and haven’t had to check your fuel gauge yet, don’t worry – It’s easy to do. Here are the basics.

Checking A Propane Tank Gauge

• A full-sized residential propane tanks typically has a built-in fuel gauge, usually located under the tank dome or cover.
• The gauge looks like the gas gauge in your car, with numbers that show how full the tank is as a percentage. Most gauges read from 0 to about 90 percent; tanks are never filled to 100 percent capacity because propane gas expands as temperatures rise (space must be provided to allow for the expansion).
• Please don’t wait until the last minute to order fuel! As a rule of thumb, order propane when your tank is no less than one-quarter full.

Checking A Heating Oil Tank Gauge

• Your heating oil tank gauge is usually a clear glass or plastic cylinder located at or near the top of the tank.
• The gauge is marked with numbers that look a lot like a car’s fuel gauge: F, ¾, ½, ¼. A yellow or red marker or float tells you how much fuel you have left; if the marker is at the bottom of the gauge or not visible, your tank is empty (or close to it).
• 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 for a heating system repair.
• A common heating oil tank size is 275 gallons, but that’s a little misleading, since a 275-gallon tank actually only holds about 240 gallons of fuel (the remaining volume is left for air and debris). That means that if your tank 275-gallon heating oil tank is half-full, you really only have about 120 gallons left.
• As with propane, please don’t wait until the last minute to order fuel! Order your heating oil when your tank is no less than one-quarter full.

Please keep in mind: many factors will affect the speed at which you will use up your heating oil – the efficiency of your heating equipment and the air tightness of your home, to name two. The one factor that will have the greatest impact on your fuel usage, however – at least in terms of the speed of your fuel use –  is the weather. In fact you could use 50 percent more fuel on a day that reaches single digits than you do if the temperature hovers around the freezing mark.

The takeaway here: Keep a close eye on your fuel use, especially as temperatures drop. You are probably using propane or heating oil faster than you think!

Automatic Fuel Delivery: Hassle Free Tank Watching

Of course, if you don’t want to hassle with reading gauges or calling for fuel deliveries, there’s an easy way to do that: sign up for FREE Automatic Delivery from Ace-Robbins.

We’ll estimate your delivery based on computer modeling and your past usage, getting your heating oil or propane to you when your tank is about one-quarter full.

Have any other questions about your propane or heating oil tank? Just ask – we’re happy to help. And remember: for reliable heating oil delivery and propane delivery in Wyoming County, PA, trust the pros at Ace-Robbins!

A water heater accounts for just under 20 percent of the energy used in a typical American home, which means the kind of water heater you choose can make a big difference in your monthly bill – not to mention your home’s resale value, carbon footprint and safety profile.

Propane Water Heating Advantages

For these reasons and more, we highly recommend choosing a propane water heater over an electric model. Compared to an electric heat pump water heater, a propane powered water heater is:

• A better long-term investment – When you consider the total cost of owning a propane water heater – including installation fees, the longer lifespan of the equipment (about 20 vs. 13 years on average), and the amount of water you can heat per energy dollar spent – propane equipment ends up being about 30 percent cheaper than electricity over the course of the equipment’s lifetime.
• A better performer – A propane water heater heats water nearly twice as quickly as an electric heater, which means faster recovery times (and therefor less time without hot water….with a propane tankless water heater, that downtime shrinks to zero). Propane water heaters are also extremely durable, lasting up to a decade longer than electric heat pump models.
• Safer – Propane enjoys one of the best records among home energy sources, thanks in large part to the strict regulations placed on its handling and use.
• Greener – Propane is cleaner-burning than coal and delivers energy directly to your home rather than transmitting it to your home via an inefficient distribution system, reducing harmful carbon emissions in two important ways.

In short, compared with electric models, propane water heaters cost less to operate, last longer, and are less harmful to the planet. If you make a further investment in a propane tankless water heating system, you’ll also save space, get unlimited hot water, and gain more accurate temperature control and longer equipment life.

When you add it all up, propane and water heating are a perfect match. To learn more about propane water heater installation in Wyoming County, PA, contact Ace-Robbins today!

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!