We all know the Aesop fable about the ant and the grasshopper – the ant prepares himself for winter while the grasshopper whiles away his summer days without concern for the future. When winter hits, the grasshopper is unprepared, while the ant is warm and well-fed in his home.

Even though last winter is a distant memory, the shortening of the days and the cooling fall temps serve to remind us that winter is headed our way once again. And, just like the ant, we need to get prepared.

The Never-Ending Winter

For propane customers in Kentucky, a big part of preparing for cold winter days is making sure they will be well-supplied with propane all season long.  The winter of 2014-15 was, true to predictions, among the coldest and snowiest on record in recent memory. Folks along the Kentucky-Tennessee border found themselves dealing with more snow than usual, and then contending with record cold that kept the snow and ice around for longer. Even into March, which traditionally sees a break in the cold as spring starts to make inroads into the area, winter seemed determined to stick around, and those who rely on propane to heat their homes found themselves faced with short supply and higher prices.

Staying Warm All Winter Long

Depending on where you live and how much you like the cold and snow, the forecast for Winter 2015-16 might please you, and it might not. If you enjoyed last winter’s snows, then good news: the Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting much of the same for the winter of 2015-16. Did you jump for joy? Or did you cringe and start pulling out the blankets? Either way, you can stay warm this winter with a little forethought and preparedness. On the top of your list: make sure you’re well-supplied with propane.

Getting Ready

Getting prepared for the coming winter months is simple:

  • Fill your propane tank(s) now, well in advance of cold weather – and take advantage of the lower prices typical of off-season fills.
  • Sign up for automatic delivery. Waiting until your tank is low to order propane may mean you’re on a long list with folks in the same predicament. With automatic delivery, your supplier will make sure you’ve got plenty of propane all winter long.
  • Sign up for a budget payment plan. Many suppliers offer programs that pro-rate your purchase over several months. The Lin-Gas EZPay program accepts new budget payment customers prior to July 1 each year.
  • Keep an eye on your tank(s). Know how much propane you have at all times. 
  • Make sure your system is tuned up and ready to go. Your HVAC system will benefit from a checkup by a professional.

Whatever the Winter of 2015-16 has in store for us, making sure you have enough propane to get you through it should be on the top of your list. Filling your tank early in the season will help you to stay warm and toasty, even if winter overstays its welcome. If you haven’t gotten prepared, time is growing short – call Lin-Gas today!

If you spend any time at all in an industrial facility, you are well-acquainted with the standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known more commonly as OSHA. Since its founding in 1971, OSHA has established workplace safety standards and reduced the number of workers injured or killed on the job by more than 65%. OSHA’s guidelines cover all aspects of the workplace, from signage to equipment to the handling of hazardous materials, and these guidelines include standards regarding the storage and usage of propane.

Classification of Propane

OSHA classifies propane as a “hazardous material” due to its flammable properties. However, because the propane industry adheres to strict safety standards, this flammability does not pose a serious threat when propane is handled properly.

Guidelines for Storing and Using Propane

  • Store all cylinders that are not in use in an open-air storage unit or cage with a protective roof overhead, at least 20 feet from other buildings
  • Use and store cylinders in the proper position
  • Industrial facilities can store up to 300 lbs. of propane in cylinders
  • Cylinders used for forklifts can be stored in either the vertical or horizontal position, but if stored horizontally the relief valve must be positioned at 12 o’clock; these cylinders do not require an overfill prevention device (OPD)
  • Do not store cylinders near doorways, stairways, or exits
  • Locate storage away from high-traffic areas
  • Do not store propane cylinders close to or with other flammable or combustible materials
  • Locate fire extinguishers within easy access of propane storage
  • Storage areas should have flat surfaces that do not collect water
  • Store cylinders with the relief valve in direct contact with the vapor space in the container
  • Wear gloves and other protective equipment when connecting and disconnecting hoses from propane cylinders
  • When a cylinder is not in use, close the valve to lessen the chance for a leak
  • Monitor the dates located on the cylinder collar to replace or exchange cylinders that are out of date

Propane suppliers follow OSHA guidelines in order to protect you, your home, and/or your business from damages caused by improper handling of their product. Adhering to these same standards in your home or place of business will help to assure that propane remains a reliable and safe fuel source for all applications.

Lin-Gas provides a number of safety guides and SDS documentation on our website. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about using propane safely and can provide you with written information in both English and Spanish. Remember, propane is a pressurized gas that can fill 1,000 its compressed volume, and that one propane cylinder can deliver enough explosive force to lift a home off its foundation. OSHA has established rules and guidelines for the safe handling of propane and other materials in order to protect homes, businesses, property and lives.

Farming is big business. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is ignoring the facts – American farms produce 46% of the world’s soybeans, 41% of the world’s corn, 20.5% of the world’s cotton, and 13% of the world’s wheat.  One in every three acres is planted for export, and in 2010, exports from American farms totaled over $115 billion.

In order for today’s American farmer to meet the world’s ever-increasing demand for American agricultural products, the ag industry works more efficiently. Advances in biotechnology, improved crop production practices, and technologically-advanced equipment all combine to allow farms to produce more.

Propane: Serving the American Farmer

Because propane is clean-burning, non-toxic, and non-caustic, many farm operations rely on it as a fuel source, helping to protect the environment, and with it, the natural resources that are the foundation for all farming operations. Some of the agricultural applications that use propane include:

  • Fuel for equipment
  • Heat for barns and brooder houses
  • Power for pumps and generators
  • Flame weeding and pest control
  • Tobacco curing
  • Emergency heat for unexpected cold snaps in orchards and groves
  • Heat for greenhouses
  • Crop drying

Powering Agribusiness

Because propane is a clean-burning, low emission fuel, many farms use it for a wide variety of applications. As an American-produced fuel, supplies can be readily available and cost-efficient, and your propane supplier can customize a fueling plan specifically for your operation’s requirements. Easy, on-site fuel delivery assures your business has the fuel it needs, and propane-powered equipment such as skid steers and forklifts can be refueled quickly and easily. In fact, farm operations interested in offsetting the costs associated with new, propane-powered equipment and in reducing fuel expenses can take advantage of incentive programs such as:

  • The Propane Farm Incentive Program (formerly known as the Propane FEED program) includes such eligible equipment as irrigation engines, grain dryers, mowers, generators, light-duty trucks, building heating units, and flame weeders.
  • The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agribusinesses for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems or for energy efficiency improvements.

There are over two million farms in the United States, and farming families comprise just 2% of the nation’s population. As stewards of our nation’s land and natural resources, farmers are always seeking better, more efficient ways to provide for their families and produce food and agricultural products for the world. Propane helps these agribusinesses accomplish this goal.

Need propane for your agribusiness? Contact Lin-Gas!

“Summer lovin’, had me a blast…
Summer lovin’, happened so fast…”

There are so many things to love about summer, and grilling is one of the big ones. But if you don’t take the proper precautions with your propane grill, the blast you have might not be the fun kind.

With 68% of U.S. households owning an outdoor barbecue grill, and more than a third owning more than one grill, it’s safe to say that grilling is one of the nation’s most popular pastimes. Nearly 60% of these grills are gas grills, and summertime is prime time for grilling out – provided you do it safely.

Tell me more, tell me more…

If your grill has been sitting idle over the winter months, you’ll want to take the time to inspect and prep your grill in advance of burgers, hotdogs, and steaks sizzling over the grates.

  • Check your hoses and connections for cracks, brittleness, holes, or leaks
  • Check the tubes leading into the burner for any blockages
  • Clean drip trays and grates of old grease – but be cautious about using a wire brush to clean the grates
  • Make sure hoses are not in contact with hot surfaces
  • Visually inspect the propane tank for dents, gouges, corrosion, leakage, bulges or excessive rust
  • Do not use any accelerants with your propane grill
  • Close the cylinder valve when not in use
  • Store extra propane tanks in an open area that is shaded or otherwise covered – do not store tanks indoors or in an enclosed space

…Like does he have a car?

When it comes to propane, summer safety also includes the proper way to transport propane tanks to and from your home. Empty or filled, propane tanks should be secured upright in the bed of a truck or – if you don’t have a truck – in the trunk of your car. When transporting a tank, drive directly to your destination and immediately remove the tank from your vehicle, so it doesn’t sit in inside your vehicle; the hot sun beating down on your vehicle can cause the liquid propane to expand inside the grill cylinder. Always close the cylinder valve, and use a cylinder plug regardless whether the tank is filled or empty. Propane contains an added odorant that smells like rotten eggs, so if you’re transporting a cylinder and smell the odorant, stop and remove the cylinder from your vehicle immediately.

Summer sun, something’s begun…

When you light your grill, open the lid and ignite the burner immediately in order to avoid a buildup of gas and a possible flashback. As with any heat source or open flame, take care to keep flammable materials away from your grill, and keep people and pets away from the hot grill while it’s in use. Position your grill away from the house, deck railings, overhangs, or low-hanging branches. And never, ever, use a grill in an enclosed space – even in the open doorway of a garage – to avoid carbon monoxide build up.  ALWAYS read the manufacturer’s owner’s manual, especially the safety precautions and operating instructions.

We’ve got a long and glorious summer ahead of us. With a little advance preparation and the proper safety precautions, your gas grill will be ready for service all summer long.

If you run your home on propane, you might be wondering about the usage rates of the various appliances hooked up to your system.

Depending on the size of your home, you may be using a 250-gallon, 500-gallon, or 1000-gallon propane tank. How long that tank will last between fill-ups will depend on what types of appliances you have hooked up to your system, and how you use them. Obviously, a household with nine people using the shower, laundry room, and kitchen will use propane at a faster rate than a household of two.

To understand how much propane is used for each of the appliances listed below, you need to understand the amount of energy produced by each gallon of propane consumed. British Thermal Units, or BTUs, are a unit of measurement that describes the amount of energy needed to heat or cool one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Propane gives 91,500 BTUs per gallon per hour. To put that into perspective, one four-inch wooden kitchen match completely consumed is equivalent to one BTU.

So, what about the various appliances that run on propane? Take a look at these figures:

  • Pool Heater – 425,000 BTU/hour or 4 gallons/hour
  • HVAC Furnace – 200,000 BTU/hour or 1 gallon/hour
  • Fireplace with ceramic logs – 26,000 BTU/hour or 1 gallon every three hours
  • Gas cooktop/range – 65,000 BTU/hour or 5 to 10 gallons per month
  • Tankless water heater – 40,000 BTU/hour or 1.5 gallons per day
  • Gas clothes dryer – 35,000 BTU/hr or less than one gallon per day

It’s important to remember that the statistics cited above will vary to some degree, depending on how much or how often you use your appliances and how many people are in your household. Your propane supplier can tell you what your usage is and help you to determine how much propane you should purchase and how often. You may even want to sign up for your supplier’s budgeting program to make sure that you will always have hot showers and hot meals.

If you are looking for propane services, we serve the locations of Elkton, Evansville, Dale and more. Contact us today!

 

Now that we’ve gotten through another winter, many of us can’t wait to get outside and start enjoying the warm weather. Spring and summer are the perfect seasons for a variety of outdoor activities, and a favorite activity for many is grilling out.  If you’re using propane for your kitchen range, you already know about how easy it is to cook with propane. Whether you have a dedicated propane line to your grill or you use changeable propane cylinders, the taste and smell of food cooked on a grill is one of the best things to love about warmer weather.

Getting ready for grilling season

Before you invite friends and family over for a cookout, you’ll want to make sure your grill is ready for the season.

  • Clean your grill – making sure your grate is clean, your burners are free from residue, and your supply lines are clear will go a long way toward a successful grilling session.
  • Check connections – using a solution of mild soap and water, you can check your hoses for leaks or poor connection.
  • Make sure you have enough propane – if you use propane cylinders, make sure you have enough on hand to cook your meal; you don’t want to run out and have to finish cooking your food in the microwave. If you have a dedicated propane line to your grill, you’ll always have a steady supply.
  • Position your grill in an open location – Grills get very hot and produce smoke, so using them outside is very important. Be sure to position your grill away from childrens’ play areas or flammable materials.
  • Light your grill with the lid open – Lighting your grill with the lid closed can be very dangerous. Open the lid before you light it, and close the lid once you’re certain the burner is fully lit. This will help the grill heat up and be ready for cooking.

What to Cook

Just about anything can be cooked on an outdoor grill. The most popular foods, of course, are meats of every type – everything from hot dogs and burgers to ribs, chicken, and fish. You can also cook vegetables on the grill. There are numerous cookbooks, recipes, and online resources dedicated to cooking on a grill, and dozens of accessories to help with the task, from grill baskets to griddles to pizza stones and so much more. But no matter what you decide to cook on your grill, be sure to do so safely.

Grilling Safely

  • As tempting as it may be to roll your grill into the garage on a rainy day, always use your grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Do not store cylinders in an enclosed space.
  • After grilling, make sure the burner is shut off and the grill is completely cooled before covering.
  • When not in use, grill burner controls should be shut off and the cylinder valve closed.
  • Keep children and pets away from the grill when in use.
  • Locate the grill away from flammable or heat-sensitive materials when in use.
  • Never allow children to tamper or play with the grill or cylinder.
  • If the grill catches fire or there is an uncontrollable release of gas, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move the grill or put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. Move people and pets away from the grill.

Whether you’re a basic burger flipper or a full-on gourmet griller, using a gas grill to cook your food outside is one of the most enjoyable uses of propane. By employing safe grilling techniques, you’re sure to have delicious meals from the grill all season long.

With the recent yo-yoing of prices at the gas pump, you might be wondering – do gas prices have any effect on the price I pay for propane? Can I expect to pay less for propane since I’m paying less at the pump?

The price of crude oil gets a lot of attention in the news, especially as it relates to gas prices. When the cost-per-barrel drops, we can expect the price at the pump to drop a few cents eventually.We all celebrate a little when the price at the pump drops a few cents. But does the price of crude oil affect the cost of propane?

The short answer to this is no, but you might be interested to learn what does actually influence propane prices:

  • Crude oil and natural gas prices

Propane is a byproduct of crude oil and natural gas processing, but the larger portion of propane produced comes from the crude oil refineries. Propane competes with other crude oil-based fuels, and the price of crude oil has a larger influence on the price of propane than that of natural gas.

 

  • Supply and demand

You remember learning the supply-and-demand rule in school, and this rule hasn’t changed over the years. For any commodity, the demand, balanced against available supply, affects the cost of that commodity. This is especially apparent for propane when winter is long, cold, and harsh. Other factors that affect supplies are production and inventory levels, and the timing of the demand on available propane will affect pricing.

 

  • Weather

Many recall the winter of 2013-14 as exceptionally cold and lengthy. Propane prices spiked as the cold weather dragged on toward what would typically be called spring, mostly because supplies of propane were running low. Weather can also affect costs if it slows production, creating a lower supply to draw from.

 

  • Proximity of supply

The closer you live to a main distribution point for propane, the less on average your cost will be. Delivery of propane from refineries can take a lengthy route to its destination at the consumer end, and transport and storage costs also affect the overall cost of propane.

 

  • Market need

Obviously, winter is when propane use tends to spike for residential customers, and it is this market need that also influences propane costs. Going back to the supply-and-demand formula, the demand balanced against the supply means that customers will pay consistently higher prices for propane when they need it most. Conversely, industry use of propane tends to rise and peak in the warmer months, when propane-fueled vehicles and machinery are more in demand.

Why do propane prices spike?

Propane is produced by refineries and gas processing plants at a fairly steady rate year-round, which means that there is no ready source of increased production when supplies run low. Spikes in price are typically due to a dwindling supply, which drives up costs for both wholesalers and retailers. Imported supplies of propane do not do anything to alleviate price spikes because of the expense involved in delivery. When demand runs high and supplies run low, spikes in price affect everyone from the wholesaler to the retailer to the consumer.

Protecting Your Budget From Propane Price Spikes

The surest way to keep your propane budget in line is to arrange for automatic delivery at the start of your propane contract each year. Lin-Gas offers an EZ Pay program that locks in your price for a full year, and sets regular deliveries based on your usage history. This three-level program allows customers who have been with Lin-Gas for one year or longer to rely on regular deliveries at a fixed price in an 11-month period. In the twelfth month of the program’s contract, any differences in price will be settled, resulting in either an additional cost or a credit to the customers’ account. The basic level of the program, EZ Pay Silver, establishes a fixed rate per gallon, allows you to still receive paper invoices, and requires payment by the fifteenth of each month. The next level of the program, EZ Pay Gold, establishes a cap price per gallon to be paid, delivers invoices electronically, and requires an auto debit from your bank account each month. The premier level of the program, EZ Pay Platinum, establishes a fixed price per gallon and also delivers invoices electronically and requires an auto debit from your bank account each month. At each level, adjustments are made in the twelfth month and the program renews for another 12-month period.

By setting up your propane costs and delivery well in advance of the cold weather months, you’ll be warm and toasty – and price protected – even if winter overstays its welcome.

Want to know more about the Lin-Gas EZ Pay program? Contact us!

Aren’t propane and natural gas the same thing?

No. Natural gas, as its name implies, is a naturally-occurring gas that is used as a fuel source. Propane is a component of this gas, along with butane, ethane, and methane, the latter of which composes the largest percentage of natural gas. Propane, by comparison, is a byproduct of both natural gas and petroleum processing.

Why does propane smell?

Propane does not have an odor, so manufacturers add a substance called Ethyl Mercaptan to give it its distinct odor. This is the same additive used in natural gas, and it has been compared to a rotten egg odor. The presence of this odor serves to alert you in case of a leak.

What kinds of furnaces use propane?

There are three types of furnaces that use propane:

  • Central/forced air furnaces, which heat the air in a home via a system of ducts and vents through which warmed air is forced by the use of a fan
  • Combination furnaces, which use water heaters as the primary heat source, circulating air that is warmed by the water heater and then absorbed by an air handling system
  • Wall furnaces, which are usually used in small structures such as mobile homes or outbuildings because they do not require ducts in order to warm the space

Can you convert a natural gas furnace to run on propane?

Yes. Converting from natural gas to propane as a fuel source is a matter of a conversion kit that compensates for the differing pressure needed to properly operate the unit. However, not every natural gas furnace can be converted to propane; please contact your propane supplier to find out if yours can be converted.

How efficient should my furnace be?

The minimum standard for furnace efficiency as set by the federal government is 80%. A high-efficiency propane furnace is rated between 90% and 98%.

What other appliances can use propane?

There are a number of other appliances that use propane, including water heaters, stoves, and clothes dryers. Most any appliance sold as a natural gas appliance can be converted; however, you will want to consult your propane supplier to make sure the appliance in question meets propane industry standards.

Do propane tanks explode?

Short answer: no. Propane tanks are manufactured and tested within very specific industry standards. Tanks do not rupture on their own, nor do they explode when exposed to extremely hot weather. While movie-makers would like for you to believe that a propane tank will explode easily if struck by a car or shot with a bullet, the fact is, there are numerous safety mechanisms in place to help prevent explosions. It might look realistic on the big screen, but causing a propane tank to explode would take considerable time and effort.

Propane is a safe, clean-burning, environmentally friendly and easily portable fuel source. Of the more than 14 million homes in the U.S. that use propane, more than 6.8 million use propane for heating. Propane suppliers across the country utilize a vast network to deliver propane from manufacturing facilities to their customers. If you’d like to explore propane as a fuel source for your home, contact us.

“Do I need to wait until my tank is empty before I can switch to Lin-Gas propane?”

It’s a question we field frequently from potential customers, particularly as the weather turns cooler and the days grow shorter. No one wants to be caught unprepared to face chilly mornings, and changing propane suppliers can be done easily.

Where to begin

If you’ve made the decision to switch suppliers, your first step begins with a phone call to Lin-Gas. Our customer service reps can help with setting up your account, including establishing credit and setting you up with a propane monitoring system, if you choose that option. A rep can meet with you at your home to assess the steps that will need to be taken, and can set up the necessary process to switch you over.

If you have a leased tank

If your current propane tank is leased through another supplier, you will need to make arrangements with that supplier to have that tank removed from your property. Lin-Gas cannot fill another supplier’s tank with propane. If the leased tank is an underground tank, you’ll need to contact your old supplier to dig it up and remove it. Lin-Gas will install any new tank equipment per the National Fire Protection Association’s standards.

If you own your tank

Lin-Gas does not fill customer-owned tanks and does not offer tanks for customer purchase. Instead, Lin-Gas offers tanks through a leasing program, assuring you that the tank installed on your property meets current, state-specific safety and inspection standards.

If your tank still contains propane

If you want to switch to Lin-Gas propane but still have propane remaining in your existing tank, you will need to contact your old supplier to make arrangements for having your old tank removed and the remainder of the gas credited to your account. In the interim, Lin-Gas will install your new tank and get you started with our service. You do not need to wait until your old tank is empty before switching to Lin-Gas propane.

Contacting Lin-Gas

Lin-Gas is available to our customers for 24-hour emergency service as well as non-emergency situations. If you’ve been considering switching to Lin-Gas, give us a call or contact us online and we can set the process in motion!

Consider the sausage on your breakfast plate. Do you know where it comes from? If you’re feeling particularly quick-witted you might answer, “from the grocery store,” but prior to putting it into your cart at the grocery store, do you know where it came from? Maybe this video will help clear it up:

Okay, all fun and games aside, that savory accompaniment to your morning eggs and toast is among the many things in our everyday lives whose source doesn’t get much consideration. And since we’re talking about a hearty breakfast, have you ever wondered where the propane used to cook your sausage comes from?

While you’re looking out the window at your propane tank and considering another quick-witted answer, let’s take a look at the journey propane takes in order to prepare that savory sausage.

Making Propane

Propane is a by-product of two different processes – petroleum refining and natural gas processing. Of the propane used by homes and businesses in the U.S., 55% comes from natural gas processing and 45% from petroleum processing.  Propane naturally occurs as a gas at regular atmospheric pressure, but once subjected to a moderate amount of pressure becomes a liquid. It is in this liquefied form that propane is transported and stored.

Transporting Propane

Liquid propane is stable and easily transported from the processing facilities in a number of ways. Over 70,000 miles of pipeline deliver propane to various terminals and facilities around the country, where it is then transferred to various transportation sources, including barges, rail cars, and tanker trucks. These varied methods serve to deliver bulk propane to wholesale and retail suppliers, who in turn make them available for their customers.

Delivering Propane

You’re perhaps most familiar with the small white propane tank attached to your barbecue grill or the larger tanker truck that comes to fill your backyard tank. Both the small tank and the fill truck get their propane from the supplier’s large (30,000 gallon) storage tank, and are delivered to retailers for resale or to customers with whom the supplier has a contract. Suppliers also provide larger, transportable tanks for commercial purposes, such as festival food booths or construction sites.

So, how about that sausage?

You might not realize it, but the propane used to power your kitchen range makes a long journey from its source to your home. When you consider the trek propane makes from the refinery its distribution points and beyond, it makes that sausage sizzle just a little bit more deliciously in the pan.