Do you ever wonder why your propane tank gauge never shows more than 80% full, even after a refill? There is a reason for that, and it requires just a simple scientific explanation. When it comes to heating fuels in Burlington, propane has some unique properties that set it apart from other fuels. Read on to learn why your tank should never be filled to 100%. 

Propane Expands with Heat 

The entire explanation revolves around this one fact: propane expands with heat. This is true of most substances, but with propane, there is an extra factor to consider. You probably know that water expands some when heated. Apply the same amount of heat to propane, which is also a liquid, and its volume increases 17 percent more than water. So what does this mean for your propane tank? 

Overfilling a Propane Tank Doesn’t Leave Room for Expansion 

Propane suppliers know they must leave space in the tank for propane to expand. Overfilling the tank could lead to problems when the propane expands, such as leaks or even explosions. By federal regulation, every tank must be installed with an OPD (over pressure device) to alert the user if the pressure inside the tank reaches a dangerous level.  

Tank Location Affects the 80% Fill Rule  

If your propane tank is buried underground it is partially insulated from the heat. Due to this fact, your underground tank may be filled a bit over the typical 80%. Don’t worry, there is no cause for alarm in this case. 

Tank Size Does Not Affect the 80% Fill Rule 

No matter the size of your tank, it is still safer for it to be filled to no more than 80%, even a small cylinder such as the ones typically used for backyard grilling. In fact, a tank used for a backyard grill is more likely to come in contact with extreme heat from the grill itself and the outside heat, so the risk for expansion is greater.  

Tank Percentages in Gallons 

Use this chart to determine what 80% in gallons would be for your tank size. Make sure your tank is not negligently overfilled.  

Tank Size (gallons)	80% (gallons)
120	96
150	120
200	160
250	200
500	400

 

Why You Should Get your Heating Fuels in Burlington from Alamance Oil 

If you currently (or plan to) heat your home, cook your food, or run any of your other household appliances with propane, consider making Alamance Oil your regular supplier. Alamance Oil abides by the 80% fill rule with every refill to keep you and your family safe. You can count on quality and consistency when it comes to your tank and heating fuels in Burlington when you choose Alamance Oil as your supplier. You don’t have to worry that you’re not getting the full amount of fuel for your money, as you will only be charged for the number of gallons your tank receives in a delivery. Regular deliveries ensure you will never run out of propane. Call Alamance Oil today: (336) 623-9741.

Are you looking into alternative home heating options this year? Maybe you’re moving to a new home with a furnace for the first time, or maybe you’re tired of the monthly gas bills that seem to skyrocket during the cold weather months. Whatever the reason, a great alternative heating fuel to consider is propane. There are many advantages to using propane in Greensboro, but here are 3 reasons that top the list. 

1. Switching to Propane Could Save you Money. A top priority for many households, saving money is one of the biggest benefits of switching to propane energy. There are many different ways that propane can save you money: 
   • Propane heat lasts longer than natural gas or electric heat, meaning you get more warmth out of less fuel.  
   • Propane can be used for many other household appliances, including clothing dryers, ranges, fireplaces, water heaters, and generators.  
   • You can purchase propane as you need it instead of paying a monthly bill. But if you prefer a monthly bill to help balance your budget, agreements are available to even out the cost.  
2. Propane is Safe for your Family and the Environment. Propane is a safe, clean-burning fuel that will not harm your family or the environment. It is completely non-toxic and is stored in liquid form in a tank on your property, either above or below the ground. Leaks are very uncommon, but can be detected by an odor that resembles rotten eggs. Propane is naturally odorless, but the odor is added to make leaks easier to detect. You will only notice the smell if there is a leak.
3.  Propane Works When Electricity Doesn’t. Even when the power goes out, you can rest assured your home will still be warm and your propane-powered appliances will still work. You can still cook meals, dry clothes, and have hot showers even when there is no electricity. In the event of extreme weather or an accident involving a transformer, power can be lost for hours or even days. But you’ll be just fine, knowing your basic needs are still being met because of the reliability of propane.

Switching to Propane in Greensboro is Easy with Berico Fuels 

If you are interested in switching to propane, Berico Fuels is an excellent supplier. Berico makes the switching process easy and painless for customers from furnace adaption to new tank installation. Any questions you have will be answered by an experienced technician who knows the ins and outs of propane installation. Deliveries can be set up on a schedule based on the weather and your household usage so that you never have to worry about running out of propane. Propane prices are reasonable and comparable.  

Berico is a complete home comfort service, meaning that in addition to propane deliveries, Berico offers HVAC repairs and maintenance. Your propane deliveries and routine maintenance can be handled on the same schedule for your convenience. Call Berico today to make your switch to propane in Greensboro before the cold weather sets in: (336) 273-8663.

The three most common types of home heating fuels in Greensboro are natural gas, propane, and oil. You may not give much thought to which fuel your home uses. Most likely you have continued to use whatever fuel your home was equipped with when you moved in. But maybe you’ve been wondering if there is a better way to heat your home. Maybe you’re looking at new homes or building a custom home and have the opportunity to choose. Maybe your furnace has died and needs to be replaced. Whatever the reason, consider this comparison between home heating fuels to help you make your decision. 

• Propane: Propane offers a radiating warmth on cold days. And while it is perceived to cost more than natural gas, that is not always the case. One advantage of propane is that it can be delivered to any location. So, if your home doesn’t have access to natural gas, propane is a worthy alternative. You have your choice of suppliers from a few different options in most areas. Propane can also power other appliances besides your furnace. Your range, dryer, water heater, generator, and even some other appliances can run on propane, which could save you money. And you’ll still be able to cook and take hot showers if the power goes out.  
• Oil: Homeowners who use oil enjoy the cozy warmth it offers on cold winter days. While heating oil tends to get a bad rap because the cost seems to be higher than other fuels, the important cost factor to remember is that it burns hotter and heats faster. This means you get more heat out of a smaller amount of oil. You won’t use as much oil as you would propane or gas in the same amount of time. It may seem pricey when you fill your tank, but rest assured you won’t need deliveries as often. You also have a choice of suppliers in your area. 

Berico Offers Reliable Delivery of Heating Fuels in Greensboro 

If you like the benefits of alternative heating fuels such as propane or oil, Berico is a top supplier of heating fuels in Greensboro and beyond. Berico offers regular delivery agreements that can save you money on fuel, especially when combined with furnace maintenance. Call (336) 273-8663 for more information about home heating fuels and a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement from Berico.  

Your energy bill is a necessary expense, but you can lower it with just a few minor changes. One major key to energy savings is your thermostat. Your thermostat settings play a big part in keeping your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible. You should always have your thermostat checked yearly as part of your regular maintenance schedule in order to keep your system running at peak performance and prevent expensive AC repair in Reidsville.

What are the Recommended Thermostat Settings for Heating and Cooling?

Ideal temperature settings are highly subjective and often the source of debate in many homes. Some prefer warmer temperatures and others prefer cooler temperatures. Finding an ideal setting for everyone in the family is difficult. But focusing on the best temperature for energy-savings rather than personal preference simplifies things. During the winter when your furnace is running, the optimal temperature setting is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The closer you set the temperature to the outside air, the less your furnace will have to work to heat your home. The same concept applies to your air conditioner in the summer. The ideal setting for your AC in hot weather is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is closer to the outdoor temperature while still feeling comfortable inside. This is the recommendation set forth by Energy Star, a joint federal program run by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

A Programmable Thermostat is an Excellent Way to Save Energy

Technology continues to improve when it comes to HVAC systems, and one of the best innovations is the programmable thermostat. It gives you the ability to program a variety of different temperature settings for different times of the day. In the warm weather months, you can program your thermostat to raise the temperature while you are gone and lower it before you come home, saving energy that is unnecessarily wasted to cool an empty house. In cold weather you can do just the opposite, allowing your home to cool down while you are gone and warm up before you get home. And you can lower the temperature at night while you’re under the covers and set it to warm up just in time for you to get up in the morning. Once you program your thermostat, you can forget about it.

But what if you need to make a change and you’re not at home? There are now smart thermostats that can be controlled remotely from your phone or other device. Say you’re out of town and expected to be home on a certain day, but plans change and you won’t be home when you originally thought. Simply change your thermostat settings from wherever you are.

AC Repair in Reidsville can include a Thermostat Replacement or Upgrade

If you’re ready to experience optimal HVAC performance and energy savings, have the experts at Carolina Fuels install a programmable thermostat in your home. A new thermostat combined with yearly maintenance for your air conditioner and furnace ensures that your entire central air system will perform at its best all year. Call Carolina Fuels at (336) 623-9741 to schedule a thermostat replacement, maintenance appointment, or AC repair in Reidsville and start saving money on your energy bill.

When your air conditioner completely stops working, it’s obvious that it needs repair. But there are some more subtle signs that you need HVAC service in Burlington. These signs may be less noticeable, but catching them early can mean the difference between an easy repair and complete system replacement. Be on the lookout for the three “U”s of HVAC symptoms.

Unusual Noises. Is your AC making more noise than usual? Do you hear rattling or banging? It could be that something is loose and interfering with the fan or causing the outdoor unit to vibrate on the surface it’s sitting on. Do you hear the system turn on and off repeatedly? That can be a sign of a variety of problems. Do you hear the whir of electricity as the system attempts to start up but fails to get going? It could be an electrical or other related problem. The bottom line is this: if you hear anything unusual related to your HVAC system, it may be time for service.

Unpleasant Odors. If you notice an unusual smell and it seems to be coming from your vents, you may have a problem. First of all, what kind of a smell is it? A musty odor could indicate mold or mildew growing in your system or ducts due to excess moisture from a drainage issue or other problem. A burning smell could mean an electrical issue or friction from parts rubbing together that shouldn’t be. Any number of odd smells can be generated from a poorly operating air conditioner. Contact Alamance Oil, your HVAC service in Burlington, to get to the source of the smell.

Uneven Cooling. Are you starting to notice that some rooms in your home are cooler than others? Of course, it’s normal for a dark basement room to feel cooler than an upstairs bedroom with the sun streaming through the windows. But when the temperature seems inconsistent throughout your home whether it’s day or night, it’s often a sign of a poorly functioning air conditioner. It may be an issue with insufficient airflow through the system. It’s possible the refrigerant is low due to a leak. It may even be that the system is too small for the size of the home it is trying to cool. Whatever the reason, uneven cooling is a sign that service is past due.

Prevent the Three “U”s with Regular HVAC Service in your Burlington Home

Before any of these problems occur, you can prevent them with routine maintenance. HVAC systems need periodic service just like cars or any other working machine. Once you notice strange sounds or smells it may be too late for a quick fix. Instead, you’re looking at expensive repairs or possibly whole system replacement, which may have been prevented by having your system tuned up every year. Preventative maintenance is recommended by your HVAC service in Burlington to be scheduled once in the spring for your AC and once in the fall for your furnace. Sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement with Alamance Oil and your maintenance appointments will be automatically handled. Call (336) 226-9371 to keep your HVAC system running well throughout the year.