FAQ

Common Facts and Questions 

Propane

  • What advantages does propane have over other energy sources?

    There are actually quite a few advantages to using propane as opposed to the other top home energy sources. For one thing, propane heating systems and appliances are extremely efficient, meaning that you’re only paying for the gas that you actually use. Also, you can use propane for tasks as diverse as drying clothes and heating the water in your swimming pool.

    Propane is an environmentally friendly fuel as well, so you can use it without worrying about damaging the environment. And the majority of propane used in this country is produced on this continent, which helps to make America more energy-independent moving forward.

  • Is propane only used for heating?

    No. While home heating is the most common way that propane is used, it is far from the only way. In fact, propane can power many of the standard appliances in your home, from your clothes dryer to your stove to your hot water heater. You can even use your central propane tank to power your outdoor gas grill. The more you use propane for, the more money you’ll save in the long run.

  • How safe is propane?

    Propane gas is an extremely safe source of energy. Propane tanks are highly resistant to damage and must conform to strict government regulations. There are many regulations governing the placement of propane tanks as well, increasing the overall safety of the system. Also, as part of our service agreement with you, we will check periodically to make sure that all parts of your propane system and all of your propane appliances are functioning properly.

  • Do I need to be home every time I get a propane delivery?

    You don’t need to be home for any propane deliveries following the initial one. Our delivery driver will simply leave a slip to alert you to the fact that your tank has been filled. However, if there is a new situation on your property that might impact delivery, such as a new septic tank installation or new power lines on his route to your tank, you should be there so that you can let the driver know so that he can make his delivery safely.

  • What should I do if I smell gas in my kitchen coming from my cook stove/range?

    Call your propane company! You are probably out of gas and need it refilled or exchanged. Most often it is an empty tank that the odorant has concentrated in the bottom of and is releasing the smell into your home. If you go outside and turn off the empty tank, the smell should dissipate within 15 minutes or so. If you have turned off the empty tank and the smell does not go away, let your gas company know immediately.

  • What is this Hazmat Fee and why am I being charged?

    It is a Hazardous Materials Transportation Fee that is charged to us by the government that we, unfortunately, have to pass on to our customers.

  • Why am I renting your propane equipment?

    By leasing our propane equipment, the Annual Cylinder Service Fee makes us responsible for the propane tank(s), the pigtail(s), and the regulator. If a malfunction should occur with the propane tank(s), pigtail(s), and/or regulator, it will be replaced by us at no charge to you. However, if the problem occurs beyond the regulator, we can fix it, but the cost(s) are not our responsibility.

Air Conditioning 

  • How do I know what size of air conditioner I need?

    HVAC contractors use Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Manual J to calculate the correct size of air conditioner for your home. This manual may be purchased and you can do the calculations manually by following the instructions, or they can be calculated by software that uses the formulas from Manual J.

    For the best results, you need to take complete measurements of your home. (A blueprint is enough for new construction.) This includes both width and length of each room, as well as height. You need to know the cubic volume of your home, because this is the amount of space that must be cooled.

  • Why has my air conditioner stopped cooling?

    The first thing you should check is to see if the air conditioning unit is dirty. It is very important to keep the outside coils clean so the heat pressure doesn't rise too high. This could cause the pipes holding the coolant to burst, compressor failure or electrical overload. Fortunately, just cleaning the coils is often enough. You'll need to be extra vigilant when contaminants like cottonwood are floating through the air. They can clog up an air conditioner's air intake very quickly.

    The inside coils are also very important. When they become dirty, they tend to ice over. This stops air from flowing through the coils, reducing and eventually stopping cooling entirely. The best way to prevent problems with the inside coils is to change the air filters regularly, though eventually it will be necessary to vacuum the coils out. Don't use a high pressure blower as this can flatten the coil fins or break them off.

    If addressing these issues doesn't resolve the problem, it’s time to call a professional.

  • Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of my air conditioner breaking down?

    Preventive maintenance is one of the smartest things you can do. It’s recommended that you keep both the outside coils and inside coils of your air conditioning system clean at all times.

    It’s also recommended that you install your air conditioner in a shaded area. If it's too late for that, you should try to shade the unit in some way that won't restrict the airflow it. Direct sun on an air conditioner's outside condenser coil can cause it to overheat and create too much pressure. If this happens, the unit will shut off.

    Another trick that can be used on extremely hot days is to place a mister over the back coil on the outside of the air conditioner. If your air conditioner has already cut out, let it rest for 20 minutes, then spray the coil with water before attempting to turn the air conditioner back on.

  • Who invented air conditioning?

    Willis Carrier, a graduate of Cornell University's Masters of Engineering program, built the first air conditioning unit for a Brooklyn printing plant. The resulting even air temperature made it possible to print in four colors without misalignment of the inks. It wasn't until 1924 that Carrier's idea caught on for making movie theaters and department stores more comfortable in the summer months.

  • Is salt air harmful to air conditioners?

    Yes, it shortens the life of the air conditioning system components. Applying a lubricant on a weekly basis during the summer months and covering it when it isn't in use is recommended.

  • Should I be worried about the amount of noise my air condition makes when it starts up?

    Most air conditioners are noisier when the air conditioning condenser unit first starts. This is because the compressor needs to build up pressure to operate. If the noise lasts more than 10 seconds, call a technician. HVAC techs will check for low refrigerant levels, compressor oil levels and other issues that might be occurring.

  • What is Indoor Air Quality?

    Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a term used to describe the quality of the air inside a building. It usually doesn't include factors such as temperature, humidity, and air movement, though in some situations, an IAQ professional could consider these factors. For example, excessively dry air (low humidity) can result in nose bleeds, dry eyes and other unpleasant symptoms.

    Generally air quality focuses on particulates and gases that can be present in the air. Gases can include radon and formaldehyde. Particulates include things like airborne particles, mold spores, viruses and bacteria. All of these elements in the air can cause adverse health effects on the occupants of a building or home.

  • How does outdoor air quality relate to indoor air quality?

    Usually outdoor air pollution will be reduced by between 10 – 90% as a result of absorption by the building itself and the building’s ventilation filtration system. This means that a filtration system that isn't maintained properly can eventually lead to indoor pollution. Regular maintenance is recommended for both commercial and home heating and cooling systems, as both systems depend on drawing air into the building from outside.

  • Are indoor air quality problems common?

    Up to 30% of all commercial buildings suffer from serious indoor air quality concerns. Indoor home air tests across North America found that 96% of the homes tested had at least one indoor air quality problem. 86% of the homes tested had high levels of dust, pollen and viruses. 71% tested positive for potentially harmful chemicals and gases.

  • How serious are most indoor air quality problems?

    The seriousness of an indoor air quality problem depends on the specific problem. If Legionnaires’ bacteria begin to multiply in the cooling system, the results can be deadly. The presence of radon gas can cause lung cancer. Long-term exposure to mold spores can cause lung damage, brain damage, cancer and even death. Combustion products such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, depression, memory loss, and if exposure lasts long enough, death.

    Other indoor air quality concerns might seem far less important, but can still prove fatal if not attended to. The presence of bioaerosols (pollen, viruses, bacteria, insect parts, animal dander, etc.) can aggravate asthma and even precipitate a fatal asthma attack.

    Indoor air quality is extremely important. Testing and installation of carbon monoxide detectors is recommended in homes that use natural gas or oil for heating and/or cooking.

  • What should I do if I suspect my home or office has an indoor air quality problem?

    If you and those around you feel ill while inside your home or office, but feel better when outside or elsewhere, you probably have an indoor air quality issue. One of the first things you should do is check the air filters on your HVAC system. Clean filters, especially HEPA filters, help to remove many particulates from the air.

    Using bleach or some other home cleaning product to kill microbial contaminants is only a partial answer at best. Even though these biocides will kill molds and spores, they are toxic themselves.

    A qualified HVAC technician will provide air and surface sampling. Both types of sampling are necessary to detect different types of toxic compounds that may be present in the air. Only then can you know what you are really dealing with and whether serious measures are needed.

    A qualified indoor air quality expert uses both non-culturable air sampling and culturable air sampling to take a complete and accurate count of how many spores and other particulates are present. This also gives the expert an idea of how many of these particulates are able to reproduce. Surface sampling is used to detect mold on dry surfaces.

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