Austin Texas Propane Tip: Time to Check Your Propane System

Now is the time to check out your propane system before the busy season hits. Don’t forget, last year held some very cold periods for Central Texas and some folks were caught unprepared.

While it’s still warm and the cold weather is weeks away, you can use your time to be organized.

Here’s your wake up call. Make sure you’re ready for the coming fall and winter.

If you’re a busy professional here’s some good news for you. Terry Garnett’s Propane , the #1 propane provider in Austin, Texas and the surrounding Hill Country area, is ready and available to serve your family by inspecting your system and advising you on the best practices to get the most for your energy dollar.

It’s easy and now is the time of year to get this happening. Just pick up the phone – one call to Terry Garnett’s Propane  at 512-894-4480 (or visit www.garnettspropane.com)  is all you need to get your propane system ready for the upcoming cold months.

Put the precision team of propane experts accredited and licensed by the State of Texas to work for you. The good folks at Terry Garnett’s Propane are happy to help you today.

Go with the best. They’re your “go to pros” who can answer any questions you might have such as what potential benefits can be obtained by properly maintaining your propane appliances, how an energy audit can save you money and what really needs to be evaluated to prepare your propane system for the coming winter season.

With a philosophy based on serving friends and neighbors in the Hill Country area, the entire team at Terry Garnett’s Propane is united in their mission of making everything as easy for you as possible.

The Keep Check Program is a prime example of efficiency and ease of lifestyle for you. Understanding that your life is filled with work and family, the customers of Terry Garnett’s Propane love the fact that they can relax in the knowledge that their propane professional is keeping their tank filled, monitoring useage patterns, and watching out for their best interests.

That’s what keeps customers coming back for over thirty years and spreading the good word by telling their friends about Terry Garnett’s Propane.

Pick up the phone or visit www.garnettspropane.com.

Have your propane system checked out today and be ready for tomorrow!

Remember… you call, we’re there!

512-894-4480
www.garnettspropane.com

Propane Tips: How to Choose a Propane Tank – PT 12

Propane was first identified by Dr. Walter O. Snelling of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1910. In 1912, Dr. Snelling and some colleagues established the American Gasol Co., the first commercial marketer of propane. Thanks to Dr. Snelling’s discovery, propane has become your best choice for dollar smart and green efficient energy for your home or business.

If you’re currently in the process of making the wise decision to switch to propane for your home, you may be wondering how to choose a propane tank.

There can be several aspects to consider; what size tank, above ground or under ground tank, in addition to many other options.

A top quality propane provider will assist in your planning by asking key questions that will help them recommend the right propane tank and system for your home.

Now for a important point regarding professionalism and safety. There are certainly many things a handyman can do around the house however installing a propane tanks is not one of them. Installing a propane tank is not a do it yourself project.

You’ll want to have your propane provider’s skilled and licensed personnel handle all phases of installation and calibration of your system.

It’s also very important that you select a propane provider who offers:

• A solution that includes both materials and labor
• Delivery and installation of propane tank
• Choice of purchasing your propane tank or renting
• 2 stage regulator system
• 10 feet exterior line
• Anode systems with underground propane tanks
• Return trips to complete everything including final start up
• In addition, above ground propane tanks may be fenced, latticed, or xeriscaped with native plants to create an aesthetically pleasing installation for your home.

Interviewer: Are there different brands of propane tanks that are better than others?  How do I know that I’m getting a good quality brand and not the cheapest tank possible?

Terry Garnett: There are probably three or four manufactures of tanks in the Southwest United States, and I have used all of them and they are good tanks. I prefer the Trinity tanks out of Dallas, Texas. They are American made.  There are tanks made in Mexico and shipped here that are less expensive.  I do not feel in general they are of the same quality as their American counterparts. They seem to start breaking down and not working as well- problems with the valves. When inquiring about a tank, I would ask where it was manufactured.

Interviewer: We are building a new home and we have become sold on powering the home with propane.  How do we competitively research tanks on the internet?  How do we go about knowing what to look for?  How do we know we are getting a good deal on a tank and how do we know what tank size to get.

Terry Garnett: Well, it all goes back to selecting a proper provider with experience that understands what your needs and has the ability to meet them.

For example, when we size a propane tank, what we look at is not just current use, we look at any future expansion possibilities that you may have.

Adequate sizing is important. It is important to establish a relationship with a provider you have confidence in that can consult with you in a professional and effective manner.

Interviewer: Compared with the tanks that are used for ethanol, methanol, and gasoline, are the propane tanks actually more volatile or puncture prone or how does the safety of a propane cylinder stack up with a gas can?

Terry Garnett: Propane tanks are very safe and their construction heavily regulated. They are not puncture prone, and comparing them to a gas can is like comparing a Volvo to a unicycle.

Interviewer: I don’t really plan on doing any of the work myself.  Is it really important to know where my gas service lines are?

Terry Garnett: It’s always good to know where your tank is and where your gas service lines are.  Know where the shut off to your system is and how to shut it off. Remember ALWAYS locate your gas line before you dig.

Interviewer: Okay, next question, I live in an area of central Texas where we have a lot of flooding, and we had a lot of flooding this last year.  Our entire yard was under water.  Is there any potential damage to my propane tank and propane lines?

Terry Garnett: Water may pose more of a detrimental effect to underground tanks and regulators that are not installed correctly- too low. Your delivery driver should be assessing your system on his scheduled visits, but I recommend notifying your provider for a Hazmat Safety Check and Inspection if you experience anything like that.

Interviewer: I keep reading about Hazmat safety inspection.  What is that?

Terry Garnett: We are a Licensed Hazardous Materials provider. We term many of our services under that title in abbreviated format-Hazmat.  A Hazmat Safety check is a pressure test of your gas line, a visual inspection of your system, and performance assessment and documentation of the propane appliances in your home.

Interviewer: I have read that propane is basically odorless and odorless in its natural state, if that’s true, how does the smell get involved with propane?

Terry Garnett: Yes, propane in its natural state is odorless.  For that reason a chemical compound called ethyl mercaptan is introduced to the propane and stays with it for life.

Interviewer: Regarding the the driver that brings propane to my house, how much education does the average driver get about propane?

Terry Garnett: Well, to begin with, our drivers are licensed with The State of Texas Railroad Commission; L.P. Gas Division, and they undergoa series of training and tests that must be passed before the license is granted. Then each licensee must keep is license current through requalification seminars and subsequent testing. Then there are  Federal hazardous material and  State D.O.T. requirements and qualifications that must be adhered to as well.

Interviewer: Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us today. I’m sure our readers will appreciate your experience.

Terry Garnett: My pleasure.

Terry Garnett’s Propane has been serving Central Texas communities for over 30 years. Call Terry Garnett’s Propane at 512-484-4480 (or toll free 1-800-950-8289) for all of your propane needs.

Propane Tips for Your Fourth of July Parties – PT 5

Propane grills are the grills of choice for discriminating backyard chefs everywhere and this Fourth of July will be no different. Whether you’ll be traveling to the beach or grilling at home, make sure you’re ready for your cookout. Don’t get caught at the last minute. Make sure you remember to plan ahead by stopping by our office on Mercer Street in Dripping Springs to get your propane bottles filled.

After all, you’re probably planning your menu and getting ready for the family cookout.
It’s that time of year where all across America, families will be hosting parties to celebrate Independence Day plus enjoy the time honored tradition of fellowship, fun, and great food.

According to the PBS show Barbecue America, “Propane grills heat up fast so you can get your food on the grill quickly and you are able to manage precise temperatures, providing you the flexibility to prepare a variety of dishes.”

With over 63% of Americans who grill using propane grills, now is the time to share a few good tips for getting the most from your grill on the Fourth of July. Also, keep in mind that if you are shopping for a grill, propane is your efficient and green choice. The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes propane as a clean-burning gas that releases 105 times less carbon monoxide than charcoal.

Green, clean, and tasty! Now more than ever, propane answers the call.

Question: My question has to do with grilling. I have heard that given the fact that propane is safe, that I can actually disconnect a cylinder and change cylinders while the grill is in operation, is this true?

Terry Garnett: No, it’s not true. When you change cylinders, turn the grill off.

Question: Dear Mr. Garnett, We are going camping. Is there a problem leaving our filled cylinder inside our truck?

Terry Garnett: Propane cylinders should never be left inside if they have any product in them. Never put a propane cylinder inside a building, unless it is empty and has never had propane in it.

Question: I understand that propane cylinders have valves and everything like that, and of course, I would think that’s where the leaks would happen, is there any problem if my propane cylinder gets dented?

Terry Garnett: Propane cylinders are inspected when they are filled and they are inspected for dents, abrasions, rusting, pitting and other regulatory conformity. If the licensed personnel filling the cylinder discovers a dent or anything else that presents a safety issue, they will not fill the bottle. The bottle will be condemned.

Question: When I’m not using my grill, it sometimes sits for a long time and uh, is there anything available that I can get to put on the tips there to kind of keep dirt and things out of the grill ends?

Terry Garnett: Just keep your grill covered and you will be fine.

Question: I read that there’s leak detection solution for my propane grill that can be purchased at a local propane gas supplier. What is a leak detection solution?

Terry Garnett: A lead detection solution is basically a liquid that will bubble when poured on a propane leak. When I was kid we used soapy water.

Propane Tips for Your Home and Business – PT 3

This is the third installment of a series of propane tips that will be posted to assist our friends and neighbors in getting the most from their propane energy systems.

Question: My family has just built our first new home. We have been very blessed.  We put a lot of money into this home and we want to do everything top notch.  Now, is there any advantage to finding a more expensive pressure release valve for my propane tank?  Are there different grades of propane pressure release valves?

Terry Garnett: I think what you’re referring to is a Pressure Relief Valve. The propane relief valve is a safety feature on the tank. It is designed to discharge excess pressure in the tank. They are all set to discharge at 250#s PSI. If you have a problem with a relief valve, for example, you don’t feel it’s discharging or it’s discharging to early, have your provider, who is licensed, effect that change.

Question: I’ve read that according to the EPA, that much of the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere that produces acid rain is attributed to coal fired and electricity generated facilities.  How dangerous is propane regarding the pollution and acid rain in the atmosphere?

Terry Garnett: Propane is a fossil fuel and very environmentally friendly.

Question: Dear Mr. Garnett, I have read that propane is actually used quite a bit in our farming for the irrigation pumps and generators and everything like that.  Is propane actually used, how important is it?  Roughly what percentage is used our farm system?

Terry Garnett: Actually 80%, of our farms use propane in their operations today.

Question: Help me settle a debate with a co-worker, is propane more compact as a liquid or as a gas?

Terry Garnett: Great question, propane is purchased, delivered, and stored in a liquid form.  So what you buy is a liquid.  What you have in your tank is a liquid.  What is utilized is a vapor that’s achieved when propane leaves the system and goes through the regulator.   The expansion rate from liquid to vapor is 282 parts to one, so a little bit of liquid makes a lot of vapor. Propane is more compact in liquid form.

Question: When my propane provider delivers propane in a truck, are they putting a liquid or a gas into my tank?

Terry Garnett: They are putting a liquid into your tank.  What you are purchasing in gallons is liquid gallons.  And what you are using in your home is a vapor.

Question: It’s getting into the season where we like to do a lot of cooking outside and I like to cook steaks on the grill.  I’d like the cooking to move along.  Is there any kind of problem, I mean, if I’m spraying lighter fluid on the grill that’s a propane grill?

Terry Garnett: Probably not a good idea. Remind me to not have you cook for me.