If you’re used to heating your home with oil, you know that very occasionally, it can get cold enough here in northern North Carolina for your heating oil to gel, which leads to problems keeping your home warm. If you have an above-ground propane tank, you might be wondering if your propane supply can freeze or gel when temperatures plummet.
The good news is that the freezing point for propane is -44°F—which is well below our average low here in North Carolina, which rarely gets much below 25°F in January. Suffice it to say, you don’t need to worry about your propane freezing.
Nevertheless, extended extremely cold weather can still cause problems for the propane in your tank.
Like most substances, propane contracts in cold temperatures. If your propane tank is buried, you don’t need to worry: Temperatures need to get extremely cold for a very extended period to affect the propane in an underground tank.
It’s a different situation with an above-ground propane tank. When it’s extremely cold outside, the volume of propane inside your aboveground propane tank will shrink, and if it shrinks enough, it will result in a loss of pressure. When the pressure becomes too low, the propane inside your tank will not be able to reach your gas burner. That means you may not be able to run your propane appliances, including your furnace or boiler. In addition to no heat, you need to worry about pipes freezing.
There’s a reason folks in Alamance, Caswell, Orange, Person, and Rockingham Counties in North Carolina trust Thomas Brothers for dependable propane deliveries, as well as tank installations, maintenance and more. We’ve got the knowledge, skills and resources and can answer all your questions about the benefits of propane for your home. Contact us today to learn more.
There’s so much to consider when building or buying a new home. Some things are subjective and personal, such as architectural style, but others are more practical—and can affect your bottom line as well as your day-to-day comfort. Choosing appliances is one of those. Of course, appearance and features are part of the decision, but so is efficiency—and that means making a choice between electric and propane appliances.
People are often surprised at the benefits that propane offers. In fact, propane is one of the cleanest, most versatile and efficient fuels around. Propane offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity.
If you’ve never lived in a propane-fueled home before, you might be surprised to know all the benefits.
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. Also, propane appliances are very efficient, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. On the other hand, generation of electricity is the second-largest creator of greenhouse gases in the United States. That’s because most of our electricity supply is generated by coal-fired power plants. (Only the transportation sector creates more greenhouse gases.)
Because propane is so efficient, it’s a smarter choice than electricity for a wide variety of appliances, in addition to heating your home. For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
The same technology that makes propane ideal for water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat:
A propane fireplace brings all the ambiance and warmth of a wood-burning fireplace to any room, without the mess, smoke and ash. And unlike a traditional fireplace, you can install a propane-fueled fireplace just about anywhere: living room, dining room, bedroom, even the kitchen. Imagine the luxe, spa-like glamour of a fireplace in your master bath! Propane space heaters (vented and unvented) are a great option to make it easy to safely and cost-effectively get more use out of any chilly space or room in your home.
If you love to cook, you will really love cooking on a gas range. There’s a reason it’s the only choice for professional chefs. Just take a peek in the kitchen of your favorite restaurant. An electric range will never provide the same control as cooking with gas. Think about why you opt for a propane grill instead of charcoal: you can adjust the flame with the turn of a knob. An electric burner can’t respond as quickly, taking more time to reduce or increase the heat.
Propane is very safe, thanks to strong government regulation and high industry standards. In fact, recent stories about gas stoves and indoor air quality are a bit misleading: While natural gas stoves can potentially emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, propane contains no methane. And, cooking of any kind creates particulate matter and affects indoor air quality, no matter what fuel is used. While it’s a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks are rare and propane is a safe and clean-burning way to heat your home and water, and run many of your appliances.
When it comes to environmental impact, propane gas is one of the cleanest and efficient fuels around. It burns cleanly and produces minimal emissions. Another important factor when it comes to evaluating whether a fuel is “green”: Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater.
Did you know propane is also an American energy source? About 90% of the United States’ supply of propane is domestically generated. Most of it comes from the processing of natural gas—which is considered a greenhouse gas when burned. Propane is not considered a greenhouse gas.
In a nutshell, propane appliances deliver more power for your energy dollar, all while protecting the environment. It’s a win-win for homebuyers—and builders—who care about the environment, but also want to keep costs under control.
Whether you’re ready to make the switch, or have more questions, the professionals at Thomas Brothers have the knowledge, experience and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of propane for your home. And, you can count on us for reliable propane delivery and more. Contact us for more information today.
From manufacturing, construction and warehousing to agriculture, landscaping, hospitality and a broad range of other industries, commercial propane offers great benefits in terms of savings as well as convenience for heating, cooking and fueling.
But when you have a business to run, you need to keep a lot of balls in the air. Monitoring your commercial propane supply is one ball you never want drop. Without the right tools or support, it can be time-consuming. That’s why businesses that use propane across North Carolina and southern Virginia trust Thomas Brothers for commercial propane solutions that work for them.
You can count on Thomas brothers for reliable commercial propane delivery no matter what your business needs. We will partner with you to streamline back-office operations with convenient and reliable automatic propane delivery service for your business.
Automatic delivery ensures you will never run out of fuel, which can result in delays or interruptions of service to your customers, not to mention the expense and inconvenience of pressure tests and relighting when your tank goes empty.
For portable tanks, we can set you up with a tank refill and exchange schedule based on your usage patterns, including tank storage and safety training, whether you are powering forklifts fueling cooking operations in a food truck.
We also offer automatic delivery service for multiunit residential complexes so property managers can focus on other important services instead of tank monitoring, and tenants can count of reliable propane for heat, water heating and more.
Automatic delivery is based on a proven computer algorithm that’s based on your specific usage patterns, along with factors like the weather and the season. Our business solutions team knows the right questions to ask to make sure we’ve got your back with on-time deliveries.
The key benefit of automatic delivery is that it means you don’t have to worry about monitoring your tank levels or propane supplies. And we work with you as your business grows, to make sure your delivery schedule meets your changing needs.
With more than a century serving businesses across the area, we have a real understanding of what your operation needs, better than any national conglomerate. We’re committed to providing the same superb and attentive service to our commercial accounts as to our residential clients. We’re known for our customer service and a real understanding of your needs, and our commitment to providing our commercial clients with the most dependable commercial propane service in the area.
When you’re in business, the bottom line is always top of mind. Right up there with delivering a great product or service, you need to keep your eye on efficiency, cost and value. And whether you need bulk propane for your business, or a cylinder exchange program, Thomas Brothers can help you make the most of propane for your business. Not only that, we have fair, transparent pricing so there are no surprises for you.
Contact us for more information today.
Lots of customers ask us why, when we deliver propane, their bill lists a price per gallon. Isn’t propane a gas? A lot of people might be surprised to know that when we fill your tank, the propane we deliver is in a liquid form!
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas. As natural gas is processed, the liquid components are recovered, producing propane gas (as well as methane, butane and ethane).
To make propane easier to store and transport, it is compressed, which converts the gas to a liquid state. As it is released into the gas lines in your home, it expands into a gas. That’s why propane is also often referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas, or LPG.
Surprised? Curious? Here are answers to all your questions about propane, and some of the reasons why so many customers in North Carolina and Southern Virginia are using more propane in their homes.
Is propane green? Propane is one of the cleanest fuels around. It produces minimal emissions. Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater – an important factor when it comes to determining whether a fuel is “green.” Additionally, propane is a domestically sourced alternative fuel that can provide steady, reliable heat for a range of appliances at an affordable price.
How efficient is propane? Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. Propane appliances are also very efficient, meaning they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. (On the other hand, about two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted.)
Propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
What can you use propane for? The same technology that makes propane ideal for water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat, including clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, outdoor lighting, patio heaters, pool and spa-tub heaters and outdoor grills. It’s also the first choice of professional chefs for cooking, because a gas range offers more precise control than you can get with an electric range.
Is propane reliable? Because propane is stored in a tank at your home, disruptions to the grid or natural gas lines won’t affect you. And when you work with a dependable dealer, like Thomas B rothers, you can enjoy automatic delivery and tank monitoring service and know that you’ll always have propane in your tank.
Propane will also power a backup generator that will automatically go on when the power goes down. That’s reliable.
How safe is propane? Propane is very safe. Propane has very low combustibility, which means when it’s combined with air, the source of ignition must be at least 940°— twice as hot as what is required to ignite gasoline. While it’s a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks are rare. Propane also has a distinct rotten-egg smell to help you quickly notice leaking gas. And, propane is nontoxic, posing no threat to soil and water, so installing propane tanks (above or below ground) is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
How hard is it to convert to propane? Converting a home to propane is a straightforward, easy process that will leave you with lower energy bills and support a cleaner environment. The average conversion takes about two days, with little disruption to your life or comfort.
How can I get propane? With more than a century of experience, we have the knowledge and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of propane for your home. And, we can get you started, with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery and more. Contact us for more information today.
Whether you are refurbishing your existing home, shopping for a new place, or just looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, propane provides great value when it comes to powering many of the appliances around your home.
If you’ve never lived in a propane-fueled home before, you might be surprised to know how versatile it is and how many ways it can be used in your home. Not only can propane provide steady, reliable heat energy at an affordable price, but it also offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity.
Here are a few of the pros and cons of each:
If you’re looking to enhance your home’s value and improve efficiency, updating or adding propane appliances is a savvy move. Propane offers more bang for your buck, all while protecting the environment. It’s a win-win if you care about the environment, but also want to keep costs under control.
Whether you’re ready to make the switch, or have more questions, the professionals at Thomas Brothers have the knowledge, experience and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of propane for your home. And, you can count on us for reliable propane delivery and more. Contact us for more information today.
We’re all familiar with the ongoing supply chain issues and geopolitical conflict that has led to higher prices across the board…not just for the oil and propane to fuel your home, but also at the gas pump and at the grocery store, too. While we can’t control prices at large, we’re always looking for ways to help you keep costs manageable. And we can tell you that customers who were enrolled in one of our pricing plans for propane were protected from the worst of the past winter’s price spikes.
We know every budget is different, and that’s why we offer multiple options. Read on to see how each works and discover the best option for you.
This plan is always our most popular, even when fuel costs are low. That’s because our Monthly Budget Plan is a smart way to manage winter propane—and heating oil costs—and avoid unexpected high invoices, no matter how cold it gets or how much fuel you use.
We use an average based on your past propane or heating oil use to spread your costs evenly throughout the year. This helps to cut your winter bills nearly in half and make it easier for you to budget your expenses.
The point of the plan is to keep your fuel costs level and manageable, so if we have a particularly harsh winter or prices spike further, we’ll help adjust your payments, so you don’t get hit with a large balance in the summer. Likewise, if it’s a mild winter, we can adjust and reduce your payments. The point is to help you save while avoiding big fluctuations.
At the beginning of the season, we’ll set an agreed-upon cap price per gallon for your propane fuel. Your propane cost won’t ever go above that price. But if market prices fall, so will your price!
When you opt for this plan, you can also enroll in our Automatic Delivery service, which delivers even more peace of mind. You don’t have to remember to monitor your gauges or order propane because we’ll take care of it automatically! That means you don’t have to worry about running out.
Ready to enroll? Click here to get started.
Whether you use propane, heating oil, or both, letting the pros at Thomas Bros. Oil and Propane handle all your heating needs is a smart choice. No matter what happens with prices next winter, our price protection plans are designed to help you keep costs manageable. If you’d like to sign up for a plan, now is the time to enroll. Contact us to learn about all the ways we can help you save!
With Memorial Day in the rearview mirror, grilling season is officially in full swing. And maybe you’re thinking your old grill is just not cutting it any more. Whether you’re ready for an upgrade to a grill with more features, or your old grill is just, well, old, we have a great selection of propane grills from Phoenix to help you make the most of summer.
Many people come by the showroom and want to know what size grill they should buy. But to answer that question, you need to answer a few others. Here’s what to consider:
If you have limited space on your deck or patio, you don’t want to fill the whole thing with a grill. Freestanding grills tend to offer more compact options that are still loaded with features. The benefit is that you can move them, so they are out of the way when you aren’t using them. Location is important, too, especially if you’re opting for a built-in grill with a line directly to your propane storage tank, instead of using a refillable propane cylinder.
If you fire up the grill almost nightly during the warmer months, you may want to take advantage of the extra features that come with a bigger grill, such as more areas for indirect heat. If you don’t grill all that often, a smaller grill is probably fine.
Again, if you stick to the basics—burgers, hotdogs, maybe some corn on the cob or drumsticks, a smaller grill may suit your needs. If enjoy grilling a wide variety of foods—fruit, fish, steaks, kebabs—a larger grill will work better and allow you to experiment more.
If you’re generally cooking for just your family, you may not need as big a grill as you might want if you like to play host for big crowds.
Now that you’ve answered those questions, you might have a pretty good idea of what size grill would be best for you. Here are the basics of grill sizes:
Small: A small grill is generally no more than 26 inches. It’s probably perfect for you if you’re doing basic grilling for a small family. While you won’t get as many temperature zones for fancier cooking, you do have the space to grill about a dozen burgers at once.
Medium: Medium grills typically run from 27 to 33 inches. They give you just enough extra space to grill foods that benefit from indirect heat. This size category also features a few more bells and whistles, such as rotisseries and side burners that let you sear, steam, roast and grill.
Large and extra-large: This class covers grill widths from 34 to 42 inches and larger. Not only can you turn out large quantities of food, you can cook different foods or courses at the same time, and take advantage of all the accessories, including infrared sear zones and warming racks.
Visit our Yanceyville showroom to see all your options—and talk to our pros. We know propane, and we love barbecue, so we can answer all your questions and help you choose the grill that will help make your summer gatherings and family diners the best. Contact us or stop by today.
If you’re looking to install propane at your home, you may wonder how much propane you’ll need, what size tank to get and how long a tank of propane will last. It all comes down to how much propane you need. Since propane doesn’t have a shelf-life, it won’t degrade or spoil if you don’t use it in a set amount of time.
The trick is finding that “Goldilocks” tank, with a capacity that’s “just right” to keep your propane appliances running without having to order refills too often. At Thomas Bros., we’ve got a century of experience with propane, and helping homeowners and businesses get set up with a propane tank and service that’s the perfect fit for their needs.
Based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which finds the average American propane-heated home uses about 750 gallons each winter. Of course, the age and efficiency of your heating equipment and other appliances will make a difference in how much propane you need, but different appliances burn propane at different rates, regardless of how efficient they are.
Other factors affecting propane use are the size of your home and how many people are living in your household.
If you’re needing to fill up more often than every six to eight weeks, you might need a larger tank. For most customers, a tank that needs filling between two and four times per year is about right.
Propane tank size is usually given as their water capacity volume in gallons. The exception is portable tanks, which are often referred to in pounds. Since propane is stored in a liquid state under pressure, it needs room to expand into a vapor. That’s why propane tanks are “filled” to 80% of its water capacity. For example, a 120-gallon tank will hold approximately 100 gallons of propane when completely full.
Here’s a general guide for the best size tank for your needs:
If your propane storage tank is too small, you’ll need to order propane too often—or risk the cost and hassle of runouts. Getting a huge tank means you’ll need fewer refills—and you may be able to avoid or lessen the sting from price spikes. But, a bigger tank is, well, bigger: you’ll need space to bury it. And if it’s above-ground, a huge tank can be less attractive.
Our pros will make sure you get a tank that makes sense for your home. We can also set you up with convenient automatic delivery service and a tank monitor, so you don’t have to think about scheduling a delivery at all. Contact us for more information and to become a customer today.
If you already use propane for your home heating, you are probably well-versed in all the benefits it has to offer. And if you’ve just recently purchased a home that uses propane, you’re about to find out!
From highly efficient heating to the precision of cooking on a gas range, From the ease and charm of a gas fireplace to the peace of mind of a backup generator, propane helps make your life more comfortable in a variety of ways. But what do you know about your propane storage tank?
If it came with your home, you might not even know how old it is. Does it need maintenance? When does it need to be replaced? How long can you expect it to last?
We’ll help clear up some of that information.
Today’s propane tanks are built with safety and durability in mind. Aboveground propane tanks are designed to withstand the elements for 30 years or more before they need to be replaced. Some aluminum and composite cylinders can last even longer.
Underground propane tanks are just slightly more vulnerable, and can have a shorter average life expectancy, between 20 to 30 years, depending on the soil type and whether the tank was installed to the highest degrees of quality. One outright challenge is that these are trickier to inspect.
If your tank has been installed correctly, it should require very little maintenance across its lifespan. That said, here a few simple guidelines for keeping your tank in good shape. If it’s an aboveground tank:
With an underground tank, one of the key benefits is that it doesn’t detract from your home’s curb appeal. It can also be safer, depending on your home’s location. But, because you can’t see it, it’s a little harder to know if there are any problems.
Correct installation of an underground tank should include sacrificial anodes. Typically, we recommend one bag per 500 gallons. Sacrificial anodes absorb natural electric currents in the ground and water that would otherwise corrode and deteriorate your tank.
In addition, you should still make sure to call in the professionals to perform regular maintenance and check the regulators to ensure all is in top working order.
Whether you’re in North Carolina or southern Virginia, Thomas Brothers Oil and Propane is here for you. We sell and install propane tanks, and we’ll make sure your tank is installed safely the first time—no questions asked. Our team can help assess your needs and make sure you have the right size tank to service your home and appliances. We can also help you determine whether an above ground or underground tank is better for your location. And if you’re switching from an old provider, we’ll make the process 100% hassle-free.
Contact us today for more information. And don’t forget to ask us about our Odata wireless tank monitoring service to ensure you avoid the inconvenience and expense of a run-out.
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Increasingly, more new home constructions in the Mid-Atlantic region are relying on electric heat as their main energy source. So, if you’re used to electric heat, the idea of heating a home with propane might be unfamiliar. After all, most people think propane is just for grills and camping. But as electric rates continue to increase, many homeowners are looking towards alternatives, domestic fuel sources with less volatile prices and a lower environmental impact.
Natural gas from a utility is one way to go, but it isn’t available to everyone—and the cost and hassle of connecting can be prohibitive. But once they learn more, most people are discovering the many benefits of propane. But what exactly is propane?
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas. Because it is compressed and stored in a liquid state, it is sometimes referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG, for short.
Propane is one of the cleanest, most versatile, and efficient fuels around. It’s a domestically sourced alternative fuel that can provide steady, reliable heat at an affordable price. It also offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity. Here’s what you probably didn’t know about propane, and why so many customers in North Carolina and southern Virginia are making the switch to it for whole-home, or supplemental use:
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy.
Also, propane appliances are very efficient as well, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. On the other hand, nearly two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted along the way.
Because propane is so energy efficient, it’s a smarter choice than electricity for a wide variety of appliances in addition to heating your home.
For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon on average. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174 or more.
The same technology that makes propane ideal for space heating and water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat:
While it’s a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks are rare, and propane is a notably safe and clean-burning way to heat your home and water and run many of your appliances.
Propane can also help keep your home and family safe in cases of emergency where electricity falls short. When storms knock out power, a propane-fueled backup generator will keep your lights and everything else running until the utility companies can make repairs. In addition, a gas stove will continue to work during a power outage. Now that’s some added peace of mind!
Whether you’re ready to make the switch or have more questions about the right solution for your home—the team at Thomas Brothers has the knowledge, experience, and resources to answer all your questions. And we can get you started, with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery and more!
Contact us for more information today—we’ll be happy to help.
