Dear Friends,

No one knows what this fall will serve up, and it is hard to imagine just what life will look like in our area in the months to come.

I look forward to the day when we feel that things are normal again. We are working hard in anticipation of and preparation for potential disruptions. We have an unbelievable team here, who make me proud every day with their willingness to take care of our customers when it matters most.

We are taking many steps to be as safe as possible and to follow all all CDC-recommended PPE guidelines. We ask that you look at the article about our contactless service, so you can see how you can help our team work safely in your home.

We will all need to be flexible and patient with each other as we adapt to the new challenges ahead. I appreciate the trust you’ve placed in our family to keep you warm — more than words can convey.

Be well.

Warmly,

Frank Taylor
President

When one of our technicians enters your home, we want both of you to feel as comfortable as possible. That’s why we follow several precautions.

Before: Our techs will stay home if they or if anyone in their household shows any symptoms of COVID-19. If anyone in your home has symptoms, or has experienced symptoms within the past 48 hours, we will reschedule. If you call with an emergency and are under quarantine, please let us know so we can determine the safest plan to assist you as quickly as possible.

During: Our techs practice social distancing (at least six feet). They have disposable masks, gloves and foot coverings, and they’re trained on CDC-recommended precautions. They will handle maintenance or repairs with minimal or no face-to-face contact. Techs will disinfect their vehicles after each service call.

After: We will call you, so as to keep our time in your home as short as possible. You will not need to sign a work order while we are at your home; we will email your invoice.

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Home is our haven, an escape from the turbulent outside world. That’s why we’ve filled these pages with information that we hope will make you as safe and comfortable as possible — all the time.

More Dangerous Than Poppies

The wicked witch attempted to use poppies to send Dorothy into a permanent sleep. Carbon monoxide (CO) can do that for real.

CO is created when any kind of fuel is burned, but it’s vented safely to the outside. That’s why it’s important to have all fuel-burning devices serviced regularly by a professional. This will ensure that your equipment is operating properly.

Because CO is a toxic, invisible and odorless gas, you should already have CO detectors installed around your home, especially near all bedrooms. Remember to test the detectors about once a month.

A faulty burner or furnace can cause a CO leak. Other causes of CO leaks can include:

• unvented appliances running for long periods of time.
• back drafts caused by pressure imbalances near the heating system.
• a vehicle left idling in an attached garage.
• a gasoline-powered generator left running in a basement or attached garage.
• a blocked flue.

CO poisoning symptoms include fatigue, dizziness and nausea. If you suspect a CO leak, get fresh air right away by opening doors and windows and leave the house before calling for help.

Watch your pets

Signs of CO poisoning can show up in pets before they appear in humans. If a pet seems sick or is unusually slow to wake up, take it outside, check your carbon monoxide detectors and open the windows in your home. Also, get your pet to the veterinarian right away.

5 Ways to Feel Right at Home with Propane

There are many ways you can take advantage of propane’s efficiency and versatility to make your home more comfortable. Here are five ideas.

1. Install a propane fireplace or log set. Vented propane hearths give you all the benefits of wood fireplaces without the chimney, mess or cleanup—at a fraction of the installation cost.
2. Warm up to a propane space heater. Do you have rooms that are drafty and cold? Do you do a lot of work in your garage? Vented propane gas space heaters are easy to install, efficient and safe. They also burn cleaner than electric and oil space heaters.
3. Upgrade to a new propane furnace. Propane gas furnaces are best in their class in terms of efficiency, with ratings from 90% to 98% efficient. A propane furnace can provide affordable warmth and comfort for any size floor plan.
4. Go tankless. Swap out your old electric tank water heater for an innovative tankless propane unit. You’ll cut down on your water heating bills and enjoy a virtually endless supply of hot water.
5. Upgrade your old electric stove to a propane range/cooktop. This will give you much better temperature control and heat distribution than electric models. Why not discover all the benefits of a propane cooktop for yourself?

Propane — the more appliances you have, the more you’ll love it! For more upgrade ideas, contact us and we’ll be glad to give you expert advice.

Your Propane Tech Can Do That—You Shouldn’t

While propane is a remarkably safe fuel, it’s important to call a professional for assistance if you need a propane heating system repair or want to install a gas appliance. Don’t start watching “how-to” videos on YouTube!

Repairing or installing a complex propane appliance can often present unique challenges that require extensive training and sophisticated diagnostic equipment.

Certified propane technicians have the training, experience and tools to get the job done — quickly, correctly and safely — thanks to the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP), which is run under the direction of the Propane Education & Research Council. Ongoing technician training includes seminars and hands-on demonstrations from manufacturer representatives and others, who discuss safe installation and repair of the latest appliances.

So remember, if you need a repair or an installation, your propane service technician can do that. (But you shouldn’t.)

What You Can Do: 4 Tips

1. Keep the area around heating appliances as clean and clutter-free as possible. Keep combustible materials (newspapers, bedding, clothing, rugs) at least three feet away from heat sources.
2. Change or clean the filter in your furnace a few times during the heating season; a dirty filter compromises efficiency and can even result in a shutdown.
3. Keep registers, baseboards or radiators clean and unobstructed to ensure maximum heat flow.
4. Get to know which circuit breaker (or fuse) controls your heating system. You should also know the location of your system’s power switches. This will be helpful if you lose your heat and need to troubleshoot.

With the possibility of delays in fuel deliveries, it’s important to be prepared for the heating season. Buy early, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Another option you can take to avoid a run-out is to enroll in Automatic Delivery. We keep up with your usage and contact you to schedule your deliveries — you don’t have to do a thing! Call or email us to sign up.

When you purchase a Bosch heat pump with a propane backup furnace or an Airtemp A/C system with full furnace heating, get 50% off a tankless, on-demand water heater! Contact us at 301-862-1000 to learn more about this offer. We’ll be happy to give you a free, no-obligation estimate. We can also help you qualify for low-cost financing.

Q: What do I need to know to prepare my propane fireplace for winter?

A: If you own a propane fireplace, it’s very important that you set up a cleaning before the winter comes. And if you don’t have one, we can have a tech visit your home to discuss your options with you so you can have one installed — quickly and easily. The earlier you do this, the better, so we can get you on the schedule. Contact us for more info.

James “Jimmy” Jordan, technician

At some point, you’ll need to decide whether it’s the right time to spend money to repair your heating system or if you need to replace it. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind as you decide what to do.

Replace your system if:

• It breaks down frequently.
• You will be living in your home for at least five more years.
• It is more than 10 years old and only in average condition.
• It does not keep you as comfortable as you would like.
• It is burning too much fuel.

Repair your system if:

• Your heating costs have been acceptable.
• It is still under warranty.
• It delivers a reliable performance.
• You will be moving within the next five years.
• It is less than 10 years old and in good condition.
• You’re pleased with your level of comfort.

Email or call us to set up a no-cost heating system evaluation. We’d love to conduct a full inspection, during which we can determine whether you would benefit more from an upgrade or a repair, and what your next steps should be.