Propane Tips for Underground Propane Tanks – PT 13

Propane tanks are available in many different sizes with many available options and it’s no surprise that an ever increasing number of homeowners and builders are installing underground propane tanks as they continue to select propane as their energy source of choice.

If your home is already equipped with an underground propane tank or you’re considering the installation of a underground propane tank, here’s some good news. You’re certainly in good company.

In 2006, the Propane Research & Education Council empowered the NAHB Research Center to conduct a survey with a group of over 200 builders located in various geographic areas across the country.

Here’s what the study revealed:

• First of all, awareness of underground propane tanks is strong; eight out of ten professional builders indicated that they are aware of the use of underground propane tanks.
• For homes built off the natural gas main, 34% of the homes use an underground propane tank.
• In the previous 12 month period prior to the survey (March 2006), twenty one percent of the new homes were outfitted with underground propane tanks storage systems even if they were located near the natural gas main.

Here’s some important tips to consider if you’re considering an underground propane tank.

First of all, if you’ve got a large family, go ahead; think big. One of the advantages of an underground propane tank is that you can install a larger sized tank and it’s buried and out of sight. The larger tank may be the best suitable choice for your family’s needs. Your propane provider can help you determine the best sized tank for your home.

Now about location. You’ll want to consult with your propane provider (who will be installing the tank and providing subsequent delivery services). A good propane provider will be interested in ensuring that your tank is installed according to state and local regulations. Since the tank is underground, in order to protect the tank from electrolysis and corrosion, a bag of magnesium (referred to as an anode bag) will be attached to the tank with a wire.

With your tank buried and out of sight, a dome will be visible at the ground surface. This is where valves, connections, and tank fittings are located and where your delivery driver will connect to fill your tank. All fittings and connections are centrally positioned and safely protected by the dome walls and cover. Since all of the fittings are hidden and protected by the dome, an underground propane tank provides an excellent aesthetic solution for your landscaping.

Ongoing maintenance, no problem. Just make sure you select a propane provider who provides comprehensive services that include the regular inspection of all valves and important components.

With the right propane provider as your partner, your underground propane tank will serve you with green, efficient, and dollar smart energy for many years to come.

Question: We currently have an above ground tank on a property we just purchased, we would like to have an underground tank as we understand that this will be out of sight. Can we use the current tank and just put it underground?

Terry Garnett: That’s a great question and we get asked that a lot. No, you cannot. We talked about this earlier. Under the lid are many of the service valves utilized for the propane tank, however, one very important valve -the relief valve- is not located under the lid. It is actually located on the body of the tank on an above ground tank.

So if you bury an above ground tank, you bury the relief valve.

On an underground tank, extensions are put on all valves to bring them above ground level. So, you cannot use an above ground taken for an underground tank. They are two different tanks.

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 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.

Question: 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.

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

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 the First Time Homeowner – PT 10

Preparing to purchase your first home can be one of the most exciting times of your life. Perhaps you’ve considered many options, patiently searched for the right home, and also consulted numerous friends and professionals. After all, smart decisions made at the time of purchasing your first home will pay off dividends for many years.

You owe it to yourself to know the right questions to ask. Here are some items for you to consider and why propane is the best energy source for your new home.

First of all, you’ll be pleased to learn propane powered furnaces last longer with experts estimating a life span of 15 to 20 years. Compared to electric heat pumps, that’s approximately 5 to 10 years longer.

Propane will also save you money every month in the laundry room of your new home. According to the U.S. Dept of Energy, propane dryers are cost effective with an average saving of 50% per month over an electric dryer. Most first time homeowners are surprised to learn that propane’s humid or moist heat is actually better for their clothes over time. Fashion experts cite that electric heat can actually discolor or even burn clothes due to the dry harshness of the heat.

Over time, the saving add up however there are many other excellent reasons for choosing propane.

In planning for the future, should you ever decide to sell your home, the green energy benefits of propane will ensure your home retains its value in the marketplace. Propane is the energy of the future and will retain equity in your home. In addition, there are rebates and tax credits to reward you for making the intelligent decision and selecting propane appliances.

Question: We’re planning to purchase our first home in the Texas Hill Country and I’m setting up an artist studio.  Given the nature that I’m going to have a number of kilns running for pottery, I am going to be using a lot of propane to power these; can I hook up multiple tanks in a series?

Terry Garnett: You can connect multiple tanks in a series, however many times I prefer to calculate the total number of gallons required, and provide one tank that will fit those needs.

Question: We currently have an above ground tank on a property we just purchased from a developer. Although its a brand new home, we would like to have an underground tank as we understand that this will be out of sight.  Can we use the current tank and just put it underground?

Terry Garnett: That’s a great question and we get asked that a lot.  No, you cannot.  We talked about this earlier. Under the lid are many of the service valves utilized for the propane tank, however, one very important valve -the relief valve- is not located under the lid.  It is actually located on the body of the tank on an above ground tank.

So if you bury an above ground tank, you bury the relief valve.

On an underground tank, extensions are put on all valves to bring them above ground level.  So, you cannot use an above ground taken for an underground tank.  They are two different tanks.

Question: My husband and I are building our first home and we are planning to use propane.  We are trying to schedule all the jobs and all the contractors, how much time do we need to schedule to have a propane tank built in underground?

Terry Garnett: When you begin the process of construction, find your propane provider and then start scheduling the project with them. A reputable and experienced firm will walk you through it.

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 professional installation and expert guidance to help you make the most of your new water heater.

Propane Tips: The Benefits of Propane Water Heaters – PT 9

A recent Google search returned 328,000 pages for the search query “propane water heaters“. Propane water heaters are a hot item. Consider the financial benefits with increased ease and comfort; it’s no wonder that homeowners are making the switch to propane powered water heaters.

Let’s take a quick look at a few facts and benefits of a propane powered water heater for your family.

First of all, technology has delivered advances to the design and efficiency of propane water heaters. Combine these advances with efficient flow-restricting shower heads and you’re quickly saving up to 50% of the hot water required per shower.

Did you know that a propane water heater produces 50 to 70 percent fewer carbon emissions that a electric water heater? It’s not a surprise that government incentives and federally funded programs have been put in place to encourage environmentally sound replacements for electric water heaters.

Whether heating water for showers, dishwashers, or doing the family laundry, a propane water heater will provide more accurate temperature adjustments. In addition, many homeowners are pleased to learn that propane water heaters require smaller storage space requirements than their electric counterparts.

With long term value also an important criteria, it’s good news to learn that propane water heaters are long lasting and provide more options for your specific family needs. There are more venting options, installation options, as well as more overall sizes to select from with a propane water heater.

Is it time to replace your water heater? Experts suggest considering a replacement if your water heater is more than seven years old. Another good tip is to make sure leaky faucets are repaired as soon as possible. You’d be surprised how fast the water is wasted in no time.

If you’ve got a busy household with a family of six with four teenagers, you may want to consider the benefits of a tankless on demand system. Tankless systems can cost more to install however tax credits and enhanced energy efficiency can offset and pay for the extra value.

When you are insulating your propane water heaters you want to remember not to cover the thermostat. In fact, it’s a smart idea to contact your local propane provider for assistance. Baths versus showers? It’s certainly a matter of personal preference however, on the average, less than 10 gallons of water is needed for a 3-5 minute shower instead of the 12-25 gallons for a hot bath.

Propane water heaters make financial sense and perhaps now is the time to plan updating your water heater. You’ll love the changes to your savings and your enjoyment of your home.

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 professional installation and  expert guidance to help you make the most of your new water heater.

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.