Are there noises coming from your propane tank? No, this is not normal and may indicate a problem. But don’t panic. Most of the problems that cause these noises are easy for your Burlington propane supplier to fix. If your tank is making noise, call Alamance Oil (336) 226-9371 right away. Then read on for more information on what the problem may be.  

What Sounds are you Hearing? 

There are 3 common sounds your propane tank might make. 

• Knocking. If you hear a knocking sound as if something is bumping around inside your tank, there is likely an imbalance of air and gas inside. Another indicator of this is the flame. You should see a blue flame with a yellow tip. If you see a yellow or white flame, you have a problem. This imbalance can be dangerous and should be corrected as soon as possible. Call your propane supplier right away. 
• Hissing. When you hear a hissing sound, it most likely indicates a leak. Turn off the tank itself, your furnace, and any appliances that use propane. Then call your supplier to come out and fix the leak. 
• Humming or Gurgling. These noises may not be as noticeable as a knocking or hissing sound, but they still indicate a problem. The problem is likely that your tank was overfilled. In this case there is too much pressure in the tank, which puts strain on the regulator. This in turn causes a low flow of propane out of the tank. An indication of this is when the flame appears to be lower than usual. Call your supplier to drain the excess propane. Another possible cause of humming is vibrations of the regulator or air that is trapped somewhere in the line or system. Either way, it’s best to call your Burlington propane supplier to be sure the problem is properly diagnosed and repaired. 

Call Alamance Oil, Your Burlington Propane Supplier, to Restore Peace and Quiet to your Tank 

Propane is a safe energy source as long as it is handled properly by trained professionals. If you hear unusual sounds coming from your propane tank, call the experts at Alamance Oil to identify and correct the problem. =Leaks and other tank issues can be dangerous if not promptly repaired.  

If Alamance Oil is not your current Burlington propane supplier, there are many benefits to switching. Alamance Oil is a local supplier which means your propane won’t have to travel as far to get to you, which saves you money. Free tank swap outs are available for new customers, making it easy to switch suppliers. Alamance Oil offers affordable service agreements that include propane delivery discounts and HVAC maintenance. Call (336) 226-9371 to start the process of switching to Alamance Oil today.  

Considering a propane fireplace? There are many benefits to propane-fueled fireplaces over wood or electric. Whether you already have propane heat in your home or not, your fireplace can operate independently from your home heat with a small propane tank. Contact a Burlington propane supplier, such as Alamance Oil, to get started.  

There are Many Benefits to Using Propane for your Fireplace 

• Clean Burning. Propane burns clean, releasing no greenhouse gases. A wood burning fireplace releases all sorts of toxins that are potentially harmful to people and the environment. Electric heat may seem to be more earth-friendly, however, half of the electricity in the US is still created by burning coal, which does not burn clean at all.  
• No Soot. With a propane fireplace, you won’t have a chimney full of soot that needs to be swept. And, your walls and floors around the fireplace won’t be coated with the thin layer of black soot that comes from wood-burning fireplaces.  
• No Clean-up. No more shoveling ashes out of your fireplace every time you enjoy a fire. Propane logs are mess-free.  
• Affordable. Propane is an affordable fuel. The more household appliances you run on propane, the more you save. Adding a fireplace to your current propane usage is more affordable than using another source.  
• Convenient. Have warmth and ambiance at the push of a button or the flip of a switch. No need to use matches and paper, as you would to light a wood-burning fire.  

Propane Fireplace Installation for New Customers 

If you don’t currently have propane at your home, installation is easy. Alamance Oil supplies Burlington propane to homes in town and throughout Alamance County and the surrounding area. Alamance Oil can even install your propane logs and fireplace to make sure it works properly and safely. The size of your tank will be determined by the amount of propane you are likely to use.  

Existing Customers Adding Propane Fireplaces Should Contact their Burlington Propane Supplier 

There are a couple of reasons you should be in contact with Alamance Oil before installing a propane fireplace or propane logs for the first time.  

1. Proper Installation. It is important for the safety of your home and family that your propane fireplace be installed correctly. The propane tank and the line leading to your fireplace and logs must be installed by a professional propane supplier.  
2. Fuel Usage Changes. Adding a propane fireplace to your home will increase the amount of propane your household uses. If you receive automatic deliveries based on your usage, your Burlington propane supplier will need to take the new usage into consideration when planning the frequency of your deliveries.  

Become an Alamance Oil Customer and Have a Cozier Winter 

If you want to stay warm and toasty this winter, a propane fireplace will make a big difference. Whatever fuel your furnace uses, sometimes the chill in the air can be hard to beat. A propane fireplace will give your home an extra level of comfort and coziness to get you through the coldest of days. Do you find that your gas furnace or electric heat pump doesn’t seem to cut it on those particularly chilly days? Consider switching to propane, as it burns hotter, heats faster, and lasts longer than other energy sources. Call Alamance Oil today: (336) 623-9741.

Are there some areas of your home that your central heating system doesn’t reach well? Maybe you’d like to heat your garage only when you’re working on the car. Perhaps you have a sunroom that needs extra heat in the winter. There are different types of propane space heaters available. To get the propane you need to heat your extra spaces, call the top heating oil suppliers in Greensboro, Berico Fuels. Berico supplies propane, heating oil, kerosene, and more to homeowners and business owners.  

Propane Space Heaters Come in Many Types to Suit your Needs 

• Radiant space heaters, or infrared space heaters, use propane to heat coils that in turn heat the air in the room. Heat is transferred to an object which transfers the heat to the air in the room.  
• Circulating space heaters, or blue flame heaters, use propane to ignite a small flame that heats air. That air is then circulated through the room with a blower mechanism.  
• Wall–Mounted space heaters can be either radiant or circulating, but are designed to be mounted on the wall. Proper installation is crucial for safe operation of wall mounted space heaters.  
• Vented space heaters draw air in from the outside, heat it, disperse it throughout the room, and then vent the fumes from the burning fuel outside through a flue.   
• Unvented space heaters take in air from the room itself and vents back into the room as well. Unvented space heaters are safe when used correctly.   

Safety Guidelines for Indoor Propane Space Heaters 

Propane space heaters are a safe way to heat indoor spaces, but only when installed and operated correctly. Follow these guidelines if you plan to heat any indoor spaces with propane heaters. 

1. Never leave a space heater unattended. Don’t leave a space heater running in an unoccupied room. An unattended space heater is a greater fire risk. 
2. Have propane space heaters inspected periodically. A licensed propane technician should inspect your propane space heater yearly to ensure safe operation. 
3. Always install propane space heaters on a non-combustible surface. It may seem obvious, but don’t sit a propane space heater on carpet, rugs, towels, or cardboard boxes. Wall-mounted units should be installed on non-combustible wall surfaces. 
4. Do not install unvented space heaters in small bedrooms or bathrooms. Bathrooms and small bedrooms are confined spaces with limited air. The safety risk is much higher in these situations. There are exceptions to this rule: 
   • A bathroom wall-mounted space heater is allowed as long as it doesn’t exceed 6,000 BTU/hour and is equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor that will automatically turn off the heater if low oxygen levels are detected. 
   • A bedroom wall-mounted space heater is allowed as long as it doesn’t exceed 10,000 BTU/hour and is equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor that will automatically turn off the heater if the low oxygen levels are detected. 

Installation by Experienced Propane and Heating Oil Suppliers in Greensboro is Recommended for Space Heaters 

Safe operation is crucial when using a propane space heater, and proper installation is key to achieving that. The best way to ensure proper installation is to hire qualified propane and heating oil suppliers in Greensboro. Berico Fuels is a leading supplier of heating fuels to Greensboro and the surrounding area. Have your propane space heater installed and periodically inspected by Berico and sign up for automatic propane deliveries so that you’ll never run out. Call (336) 273-8663.

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.