If you’re like most people, the heating oil you buy is stored until it’s ready to be used – sometimes several months after you purchase it. But are there any consequences to burning it once it has sat in your tank for that long?
The short answer is probably not. No. 2 heating oil (the heating oil you probably use in your home) has an average shelf life of about 18-24 months – which leaves some wiggle room if you have heating oil left over from the prior winter.
If your heating oil is nearing that 18-24 month period (if you own a second home that you don’t use every year, for example), you can still use it – although it will more than likely be less combustible (meaning that it won’t produce as much heat when it’s burned); if the heating oil can’t reach your furnace’s minimum temperature range when it’s burned, the furnace will automatically shut off, and you’ll need to call for service. If you’re unsure if the heating oil is still good – or if you’re sure it has been sitting in the tank for more than two years – it’s probably better to err on the side of caution and have your tank professionally drained and refilled.
Now it’s important to keep in mind is that 18-24 months is an average shelf life for No. 2 heating oil. Several factors can influence that number, including:

• The amount of bacteria (the foremost cause of fuel breakdown) in your heating oil;
• The amount of corrosion in your tank; and
• Life-extending additives in your heating oil.

Starting out with quality oil helps, too – a big reason to get your heating oil from us rather than a fly-by-night supplier.
The bottom line: if you get your heating oil from a qualified supplier, maintain your heating oil tank, and haven’t left your heating oil sitting unused for two years or more, you should be in good shape when it comes time to run your heating system next winter.
For dependable delivery of quality heating oil anywhere in Northeastern Pennyslvania, trust the pros at Ace-Robbins. Contact us to join our family of customers today! Serving Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Sullivan, and Wyoming Counties.

Now that spring has finally sprung here in Pennsylvania, it’s time to start looking forward to the warm days and nights ahead (they’re coming…we promise!). The question is, will your central air conditioner or ductless system be ready for the challenge when those days and nights arrive?
It will be if you schedule your annual Precision Cooling Tune-Up today.
A little TLC for your A/C goes a long way: here are four great reasons to get routine maintenance for your home cooling system:

• Lower bills – Without annual maintenance, a home cooling system will lost five percent or more of its efficiency every year it runs. Annual maintenance will pay for itself in a single season, while also helping to reduce long-term wear and tear on your equipment.
• Fewer repairs – Neglecting your air conditioner will eventually catch up with you – usually on the hottest day of the year, when you need it most. It’s estimated that about 80 percent of the most costly repairs are avoidable with proper maintenance; a small investment now can save you serious cash down the line.
• Warrantee support – Many manufacturers require annual maintenance as a condition of their warranty. Without routine maintenance, you might have to pay for needed repairs out of pocket – even if your air conditioner is still under warranty!
• Greater peace of mind – If you want to make sure you stay cool and stress free this summer, there is no substitute for routine maintenance. With a small investment in service, your cooling system will run better, cost less, and be more reliable.

Contact Ace-Robbins today to sign up for our high value Cooling Maintenance Plan – you’ll get an annual tune-up plus a 20 percent discount on any needed repairs!
If you’re ready for an A/C upgrade, we can help, too – contact us for a FREE, no obligation estimate!

If you hear a hissing sound coming from your propane tank, don’t immediately presume you have a propane leak (unless you smell a leak’s telltale rotten egg odor – in which case follow propane safety procedures immediately).
That fact is, that hissing sound may not be a propane leak at all. As our friends at propane101.com explain, several other culprits could be to blame, including:

• An open bleeder valve – The bleeder valve – also called a liquid level gauge – is a small device that enables your delivery technician to accurately monitor how much propane is in the tank during a refill. To deliver your propane, your driver must open the bleeder valve; occasionally, it doesn’t close properly. If this is the case, simply turn the bleeder valve clockwise to stop the flow of gas.
• An open relief valve – A pressure relief valve is a required feature on all propane tanks and cylinders, because propane expands when it’s heated. On a hot, sunny day, you may find that the relief valve is open (and hissing); that is because it is doing what it is designed to do on hot days – slowly release pressure built up by the propane, which expands when subjected to heat. Never try to close, look into, or tap an open relief valve! Instead, you can relieve some pressure in your tank by spraying cool water from a garden hose on the tank’s surface.
  If the hissing noise persists, you may have a propane gas leak – contact us immediately for service.

Keep your family safe in your propane-powered home by using your eyes, nose and ears! Learn more about propane safety here – or contact us with questions any time.

Spring is finally here (according to the calendar AND the thermometer), which means it’s a good time to start thinking about a plan for your outdoor space – you know, the one you keep saying you want to use but never get around to fixing up.
With a little creativity, you can turn that space into your family’s favorite spot to kick back and relax.
Just imagine sitting around a propane fire pit while you serve a meal prepared in your outdoor kitchen…or swimming in your propane-heated pool deep into a chilly the evening in late spring or early fall before retreating under your heated patio awning. It’s all possible with a little planning, a little help from us, and an assist from clean, green propane.

Ace-Robbins: your Outdoor Living source

Ace-Robbins is your source for all things Outdoor Living here in North Pennsylvania, including:

• Patio equipment – Propane tiki torches, pool heaters, and fire pits will quickly convert your outdoor space into a family hotspot – literally! You could even keep mosquitos with an oh-so-cool Propane Mosquito Magnet® Trap.
• Awnings and shades – We feature the full line of Aristocratic awnings, canopies, and solar shades for home and business – works of mechanical art that provide just the cover you need to keep things dry and shady when you need them to be.
• Grills – Nothing says summer entertainment quite like the sounds and smells of an outdoor grill – and nothing grills better than propane. From portable freestanding units to full-featured built-in models, we’ll find the grill to match your needs and budget.

Imagine what you could do with another room that’s open to the air but equipped with all the amenities you know and love. It’s possible – and it’s more affordable than you think.
Contact us today to get a FREE estimate and learn how you can take your outdoor entertaining up a notch this spring – with a little help from Ace-Robbins!

Are you happy with the service you’re getting from Ace-Robbins? Why not refer a friend to us and get a $25 in credit for your account?
For each qualified* new customer you send our way, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your account. Refer as many friends as you want – there’s no limit to how much credit you can earn.
Friends anywhere in or near our service area can become Ace-Robbins customers, including people living in:

• Scranton
• Tunkhannock
• Laceyville
• Montrose
• Clarks Summit
• Dallas

If you’re not sure if we serve the area where your friend lives, contact us.
Refer a friend today and save on your next bill. Contact us today to learn more!
* Need conditions for qualification

We recently came across two facts in a report from the Environmental Protection Agency that, in combination, really helped us understand why the agency considers indoor air quality to be one of the most important public health issues of our time:

• The average American spends 87 percent of his or her time indoors, consuming more than 15,000 gallons of air each day.
• Indoor levels of pollutants might be as much as 100 times the levels found outdoors.

In our book (and the EPA’s), that’s not a good combination.
The good news is that you can greatly improve the quality of the air inside your home simply by making better choices about what you buy and how you live. Here are six easy changes you can make to help your family breathe a little easier in the years ahead.

1. Switch to less toxic cleaners. Many of the cleaners available in today’s big box stores are loaded with toxins. Do a little hunting to find more people-friendly options. Better yet, make your own: homemade vinegar and baking soda cleaners will clean or disinfect just any material or surface.
2. Choose better building materials. Invest a little extra money up front to get mold resistant fiberglass-covered drywall or gypsum board and low-VOC paint for your home improvement projects. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) can cause respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. Although these materials will add some expense to your project, they’ll pay off in the long run with better health and no need to redo your handiwork due to a mold problem.
3. Add more plants. Adding plants throughout your house creates a natural filter for toxic chemicals and vapors trapped in your indoor air. They look great, too!
4. Keep the air moving in hobby rooms. Hobbies are wonderful, but they often require you to use some pretty nasty materials. If you plan to do any paint stripping, soldering, gluing, painting, or other toxic activities, make sure your hobby room is well-vented – or better yet, do the work outdoors.
5. Get annual HVAC maintenance. HVAC tune-ups keep your heating and cooling systems running properly, which helps maintain proper air quality (hint: for an even better value, sign up for an Ace-Robbins Service Plan.
6. Consider installing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) equipment. If budget allows, install indoor air quality equipment, which can clean your air and prevent the conditions that create mold in the first place.

Need service for your HVAC system, or help improving your indoor air quality? Contact Ace-Robbins today to talk about options for your Pennsylvania home!

Spring is a time of renewal – a time to shed the old for something new.
You can find some of that “new” at our Tunkhannock showroom!
Whether you’re looking for a refrigerator upgrade, an icemaker for your outdoor bar, a compact laundry center, or just about any other appliance for your Pennsylvania home, Ace-Robbins has the equipment and accessories you need from quality brands like Maytag, Kitchen Aide, Whirlpool and more.
Visit our showroom this week and you’ll find options for just about any type of home appliance, including:

• Cooktops
• Wall ovens
• Washers & dryers
• Freezers
• Outdoor grills
• Wine coolers
• Trash compactors
• Warming drawers

Of course once you pick your appliance, our expert technicians will install and service it so you can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
Spring is here – why not celebrate by checking the EASTER SPECIALS at our Tunkhannock showroom? Come on out – we’ll see you there!

Well, we guess our furry neighbor Punxutawney Phil was right on the snout about his winter prediction last month, as another Nor’easter barrels its way up the coast and into our back yards.
A few safety reminders for you as we brace for our latest bout with Mother Nature:

• If you suspect any of your propane-powered appliances or equipment has been damaged by severe weather, contact us immediately so we can inspect your propane system.
• Remember: if you have to turn off your propane gas supply for any reason, the law requires you to have it turned back on by a professional.
• NEVER use an outdoor appliances (cooking grills, portable generators, etc.) indoors!
• Help us keep your heating oil and propane coming by clearing a path to your tank and keeping your driveway free of snow and ice.
• If you run out of fuel, don’t panic – contact us for emergency service.
• Always listen to authorities when it comes to your safety.

Stay safe through our latest winter storm – contact us if we can help before, during, or after any severe weather.

As February transitions to March here in Pennsylvania, it’s time to think ahead to outdoor entertainment season – especially if you want to kick it off as soon as possible.
One of the best ways to add some weeks to your barbecue and star gazing in 2018 is to invest in a propane patio heater, which will get the party started earlier in the spring and keep it going well into the fall.
What factors do you need to consider if you’re shopping for a propane patio heater? Here’s a quick guide to the five most important ones:

1. Size, power, and heating area – The three most important features to consider when choosing a patio heater are how big it is, how powerful it is (measured in BTUs), and how far it “throws” its heat. Heating diameter will vary considerably depending on the brand and style of heater, even if the two units have similar outputs – make sure you choose a unit that covers the area you need to heat.
2. Configuration – Propane patio heaters typically come in three configurations: wall-mounted, tabletop or freestanding. Tabletop propane heaters are typically about four feet high and output bout 10-12,000 BTU; freestanding heaters range between seven and nine feet high and output 40,000 BTU or more.
3. Safety features – Most standing patio heaters include an anti-tip feature, which automatically shuts off the heater if it falls past a certain angle. Other safety features to look for include an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) and an overfill protection device (OPD).
4. Efficiency – Find your heater’s AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating. AFUE is a lot like MPG for your car: the higher the number, the more efficient your heater is.
5. Style and finish – Patio heaters are available in a range of styles and finishes – from modern stainless models to brushed copper and enamel painted options.

Need help choosing the perfect patio heater for your PA home? We can help. Contact us today to get your outdoor entertainment season off to an early start!

At Ace-Robbins, we work hard every day to deliver excellent service with a personal touch because it’s the right thing to do – for you and for our business.
That’s how we have stayed in the fuel delivery and home comfort game for nearly six decades, and how we’ve gained the trust of our Northeastern Pennsylvania neighbors since we first opened our doors in 1961.
It’s also how we have come to be recognized by the Better Business Bureau – a name also synonymous with trust – as an accredited business.
We take this accreditation with great personal pride here at Ace-Robbins, because we know the BBB stands for two things that form the heart of who we are as a company: performance and integrity. You need both to succeed as a business, and you need both to provide real value for the people and communities you serve.
So today we once again thank you for the opportunity to deliver our brand of excellence to you – and we thank the Better Business Bureau for putting their name behind ours. We look forward to continuing to earn the trust of all of you in the years ahead.