Once again, Middle Sex County and other New Jersey residents are at the mercy of the La Niña climate pattern. For those who may be unaware, the La Niña pattern, a natural ocean-atmospheric phenomenon, occurs when the Pacific’s surface temperature becomes cooler than average along the equator and often has a severe impact on North American seasons. Although it is still too early to tell the exact impact the Pacific Ocean climate patterns will have on New Jersey’s winter, forecasters speculate that residents are in for another record-breaking winter.

Likelihood of Snow

Last year, Middlesex County and other parts of New Jersey saw one of the greatest snowfalls in the state’s history, with more than 30.6 inches of snow in February alone. On average, the state receives just over 10 inches each winter; however, last year, New Jersey saw its second snowiest February on record. Many meteorologists blamed La Niña for last year’s historic snowfall; however, for the 2021 season, forecasters and meteorologists are still unsure whether or not the climate pattern will increase the state’s chances for another snowy winter. As snowfall is reliant on a variety of different factors such as arctic temperature, moisture development, and wind direction, it is currently impossible to tell whether or not New Jersey will see snowstorms this winter.

Temperature Forecast

For over 230 years, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted with 80 percent accuracy winter weather forecasts. This year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac stated that Americans could be in for one of the longest and coldest winters we’ve seen in years. Many meteorologists and forecasters from across the country agree with this prediction and are warning their state’s residents that they may be in for a colder-than-usual winter. So what does this mean for Middlesex County, NJ, residents? La Niña will likely make an appearance in late November with waves of cold air and potentially multiple rounds of snow. Additionally, a potential polar vortex could send arctic air along the East Coast, extending wintery weather well past March 1st.

How Best to Prepare

With this upcoming winter likely a cold one, GasTec, supplier of propane services for Middlesex County, NJ, residents recommends families living within the county and other parts of New Jersey prepare for the winter by stocking up on propane. As with previous winters, propane can often sell out in certain areas thanks to low supplies. With the increased likelihood of severe weather and the nation’s current supply chain issues, Middlesex County, NJ, propane service supplier GasTec recommends that residents purchase their propane winter supplies early.

As the weather gets colder, you’re probably turning up the heat in your house. Have you thought about how reliable and how efficient your power source is for that heat? If you haven’t, you might not know if it’s the best option for your home.

Warren County, NJ residents use a variety of energy sources for the various systems in their homes, for everything from making hot water, to cooking, to lights and heat. But we’re finding more people in Warren County are discovering propane, also referred to as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The following covers some of the many ways to enjoy the benefits of propane around your home.

Learn more about propane use in Warren County and see if it may be right for your home too.

Why Choose Propane

Propane has many advantages. Even the government wants to encourage the residential use of propane services in Warren County New Jersey with safe appliance rebate programs. Some people are making the switch because of the government incentives and only later realize how many benefits there are to choosing LPG for their homes.

If you’re considering the switch to propane, here are some reasons that this source of energy may be the best choice for your home.

More Reliable than Electricity

When the electricity goes out, that’s when the worry begins. You’ve got to worry about keeping the fridge and freezer food from going bad, keeping the kids entertained, and even losing your heat source. The last thing you want to worry about during winter power outages is being cold. A propane-powered backup generator can help with that.

With the recent example from Texas, we’ve seen the terrible effects of when people are left without heat in severe weather. You can protect yourself and your family by switching to an energy source that will always be there, ready to use.

Greater Efficiency

For each unit of propane, you’ll get more energy compared to just about every other energy source. You’ll use fewer resources and still receive highly efficient results. So heating your entire home may take far less LPG than it would use in gas or electricity.

Safer for the Environment

If you’re searching for ways to live greener and lower your carbon footprint, look no further than propane. Most electricity is powered by coal-burning plants. Unlike other fossil fuels like diesel and gas, LPG burns cleanly. This means it won’t harm the environment by releasing toxins into the soil, water, and air.

How to Use Residential Propane

Maybe you’re sold on the benefits of this eco-friendly gas, but not sure how you can start using it around your house—no need to worry. There are several ways you can begin implementing this fuel in your life.

Here are some ideas, but definitely not the only ways you can start using propane. All of these solutions will give you a more energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and reliable source of powering your home.

BBQ and Outdoor Grills

Through bright summer days and cold winter nights, a fresh meal from the BBQ or grill is always delicious. As it gets colder, you’re probably less motivated to struggle to keep your BBQ or grill hot enough to cook. Don’t let it sit out all winter long without putting it to good use.

LPG is known for burning in even the coldest temperatures. Cooking your food outdoors has never been easier. Another benefit is that many claim food is actually better when cooked in propane rather than butane. So not only is it easier to cook, but the food is more delicious to eat.

Indoor Heating

When looking at the benefits, it’s hard to say no to converting to propane heating in your home. With 97% efficiency, a smaller carbon footprint, and a highly reliable way to warm up, it seems to be one of the best solutions for heating any home.

Outdoor Heaters

You work hard to create an outdoor space you love. Enjoy your outdoor space all year with outdoor heating from propane. You can find outdoor heaters at stores across New Jersey. We always recommend LPG for outdoor heating because it generates more heat than electricity but is less toxic than typical gas.

RVs

Because it is so reliable at the lowest temperatures, propane is the favorite choice for RV owners. When you’re camped out with your RV in the middle of nowhere, you need an energy source you can trust. That’s where your LPG tank comes in to help.

It will power all the appliances on board the RV from the fridge to the heat. Never get caught on an RV without a tank of propane.

Fireplace

Want a safe and easy way to get a cozy fire going in your home? Using LPG to power your fireplace means a less toxic way to get warm and comfortable, even on the coldest nights.

Conclusion – Using Propane in Your Home

We don’t have to be stuck with the legacy energy sources just because we already use them. Make an informed decision and choose the fuel that will power everything you need that’s reliable without toxins and more energy. If you’re in Warren County, New Jersey take a look around your house and see how you can start using propane today.

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With autumn just around the corner, many residents of Hunterdon County, NJ, are now taking their Halloween decorations out of storage and filling up their calendar with the various Hunterdon County local fall activities. While there is much to do to prepare for the changing seasons, as the weather gets colder, it is also important to remember to clean and maintain your gas fireplace. In the colder months, many families will return home from apple picking and autumn walks to enjoy their warm gas fireplace; however, leading propane provider GasTec stresses that before they can do this, families must first ensure their fireplace has been properly maintained.

As propane fireplaces are designed to function with minimal effort on the homeowner’s part, it is easy to forget that, like other fireplaces, gas fireplaces must also be maintained. Before the cold months begin in earnest, GasTec encourages Hunterdon County residents and other gas fireplace owners to search for propane services in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and find a technician that can inspect and clean their gas fireplace so they can enjoy it to the fullest during fall and winter.

How Often Should a Gas Fireplace be Maintained?

While gas fireplaces do not need to be maintained daily like their wood counterpart, they still do require annual maintenance. Homeowners are encouraged to have their gas fireplace inspected each year by a professional fireplace inspector certified to perform safety checks. While gas fireplace owners can clean their gas fireplace themselves, you can also ask the fireplace technician to clean the fireplace during their inspection. During their inspection, the technician will check that the fireplaces venting is not obstructed and that there are no natural gas leaks or signs of carbon monoxide leaks.

How Do You Properly Clean a Gas Fireplace?

If you are a homeowner who would like to clean your gas fireplace yourself, similar to maintenance checks, your gas fireplace should be cleaned once a year. Before cleaning, homeowners must follow safety steps and make sure the gas to the fireplace is off while cleaning. Additionally, if your gas fireplace is encased in glass, it is essential to let the fireplace cool before cleaning, as the glass can remain hot long after the fireplace has been turned off. During the cleaning process, the first thing homeowners should do is to remove all dirt and grime from the fireplace and ensure that buildup on the screen is removed thoroughly. If any of the lava rocks or logs show signs of wear and tear or breakage, they should be removed and replaced before relighting the fireplace.

At Gastec we do more than deliver propane to Bucks & Montgomery County homes. Save money by visiting our propane refill station, located at 25 Council Rock Drive. We will not be open on Labor Day so make sure to stop by Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; or Saturday from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. 

Industrial and commercial sectors dominate much of the country’s propane use. However, when we look at residential trends, we can see that more homeowners are relying on this powerful fuel.

Below, we discuss some of the most prominent residential propane usage trends in the U.S. These insights will reveal how the average American relies on this fuel source and demonstrate how it plays a role in the lives of those who rely on propane services in Montgomery County Pennsylvania.

Propane as the Home’s Main Heating Source

Currently, around 5 million homes rely on propane to heat their entire properties. Many homeowners go this route out of necessity. When their property doesn’t have access to natural gas service, they need to find an alternative source. It’s convenient for them to hire a propane service to deliver tanks with reliable energy year-round.

Most homes that don’t have natural gas lines are in rural areas. As a result, propane is the go-to choice among those in the countryside and mobile homes. It comes as no surprise that a whopping one-fifth of mobile homes rely on propane tanks.

Propane as a Supplemental Energy Source

When homeowners use propane as their main heating fuel, they need to store a propane tank outside their house. These tanks tend to range from anywhere to 500 and 1,000 gallons.

However, not all homes use propane as their main heating fuel. Some use oil or another source while only using propane as a supplemental energy source.

Millions of people have smaller, portable tanks for tasks such as cooking and powering their backup generators. They even use them for operating appliances in recreational vehicles.

Consumption by Region

We’ve discussed that rural homes are most likely to use propane as their main fuel source. But it’s important to note the regional variations.

The highest numbers of homes that rely on propane are in the Midwest and Northwest. Some areas see rates as high as 18%.

While the usage rate in Pennsylvania is lower, as we discuss later, more homeowners in Montgomery County are deciding to make the switch.

Consumption by Season

Historically, consumption has always been higher during the winter months. This trend makes sense as homeowners need to heat their homes to combat colder weather.

It’s worth noting that the EIA predicts a consumption increase this winter. Compared to 2020, the 2021 season will see a 5% higher usage rate.

More Residents Are Making the Switch

Even though propane prices are not at their historical low, people are still making the switch. Our propane service in Montgomery County has seen that, like other Americans, local residents are willing to switch over to propane to start enjoying the vast benefits.

For instance, they will enjoy lower energy bills as propane burns more efficiently. Residents get the most out of each drop they purchase, meaning their investment in a tank and refills will pay for itself over and over.

Additionally, residents will be reducing their ecological footprint as the fuel burns cleaner than alternatives like natural gas. They feel good about doing their part for the environment and making their community a healthier, safer place to live.

And let’s be honest, cooking on an electric range or in an electric oven is simply the worst. From a faster boil to consistent, predictable temperatures and cook times, propane is a chef’s delight.

Safety Statistics

Some people hesitate to make the switch because they just don’t understand how safe propane is for your home. Truth be told, you have more to worry about with faulty electrical wiring in your house performed by a previous resident who fancied himself a DIY’er than you do with propane. Making the switch to propane with a professional installation team eliminates any safety concerns. It’s particularly reassuring that propane maintains a strong safety record even with more homes using it these days.

Bottom Line: The Increased Usage of Propane

Industrial and commercial sectors understand the benefits of propane well. As residents learn more about the fuel’s power, they, too, are bound to make the switch. Not many homeowners can resist lower electric bills and more efficient heating.

In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, we’re experiencing this trend first-hand. Like many homeowners, we hope that the increased demand will lead to lower costs. But until then, we can appreciate all the benefits this powerful fuel has to offer.

Propane is a safe, efficient, and reliable alternative to electricity for many appliances. Propane Services in Hopatcong Borough, New Jersey discusses the benefits of using propane in your family home. Propane is an affordable choice that is ideal for families who want to minimize their carbon footprint and want to go green. Let us look at these benefits.

It is a high-energy alternative to traditional fuels. It has a higher-octane rating than gasoline. Propane is a colorless and odorless liquid that vaporizes into a gas. An electric heat pump delivers air only slightly warmer than the human body, but propane provides a consistent air supply around 115 degrees. Electricity will take an hour to reheat a hot water tank, but propane can do the job in 20 minutes. This is a surprisingly efficient choice for powering your home.

Propane is safe for the environment; it does not contaminate the soil or groundwater. It also has a low carbon content producing minimal emissions. Since propane is derived as a byproduct of natural gas, it reduces petroleum use.

It is a reliable choice in an emergency if your electricity is knocked out, your propane-fueled appliances will still work. If you keep your propane tank well maintained and filled, it will serve as heat when you need it the most. “If you are using propane, keep in mind that propane tanks are only filled to 80 percent of their capacity to allow for expansion. Propane expands in hot temperatures.”

Home propane tanks are typically buried well beyond the natural gas main. They are 20 times more puncture resistant than those used for gasoline, ethanol, and methanol. If you come across a propane leak the added odorant will help you detect it. Propane has the distinct smell of rotting eggs; this will alert you it is leaking. A carbon monoxide detector can provide added safety around propane appliances. Propane appliances can produce carbon monoxide, but a CO detector will alert you to high levels.

Propane is an affordable alternative to electric appliances. Heating your water with propane rather than electric will save you almost 30% of your total cost. “A propane clothes dryer is 50 percent more efficient than its electric counterpart. A tankless propane water heater can have an efficiency level as high as 94 percent.”

There are a lot of people that when they think of propane they think, “outdoor grilling,” but that is not always the case. Propane can power many household appliances. You can use it to heat your home or boiler, fireplaces, clothes dryers, ranges, and ovens can all run off propane. If your home can use propane, then you have many options available to you.

For many years, Downingtown has been recognized for its major role in Pennsylvania manufacturing and industry history. Downingtown industry dates back to the early 1700s, when it was home to some of the first mills on the East Coast. Later, the town would become a hub of manufacturing complexes due to its central location and proximity to rail transportation corridors. Downingtown’s industry continues to thrive, and today, the area hosts a variety of manufacturing companies, including McGuckin & Pyle Inc, Kim Manufacturing, and Strategic Manufacturing Techs. GasTec has long provided propane services to Downingtown, PA, to both local residents and established businesses. GasTec’s Downingtown, PA propane services have been used not only for manufacturing purposes but also by Downingtown construction and transportation companies.

Materials Handling

Transportation is a fundamental part of many different industries. Whether it be construction or manufacturing, moving materials from one site to another is inescapable if not a tedious aspect of business. While each industry’s needs are unique, many organizations rely on propane-powered vehicles and equipment for their material handling needs. Propane-powered forklifts and buggies are some of the most popular material handling machines for their low emissions and affordable fuel. This has been made evident by the National Propane Gas Association, which recently released a report that stated nearly half a million forklifts are powered by propane gas each year.

Propane’s Uses in Manufacturing

While propane is often used as a fuel for various industrial purposes, propane is also used to create refinery products in some manufacturing sites. Petrochemical industries will often blend propane into finished products such as LPG and petrochemical feed to make ethylene or propylene. Propane has also been known to be used by Refrigerator manufacturers as a refrigerant. Propane’s operating pressures and temperatures are frequently used for refrigeration due to its ideal pressure levels and temperatures.

Transportation

Autogas propane has quickly become one of the most used fuels in industrial transportation. A large percentage of industrial fleets have moved away from gasoline and diesel and switched to cost-efficient and low-maintenance autogas to power their vehicles. Typically, propane autogas costs 30-50% less per gallon than its gasoline and diesel counterparts. Additionally, the price of propane is known to remain stable and be less affected by the same seasonal fluctuations gasoline and diesel experience.