As you start to tackle your fall household cleaning tasks, you may find that your stash of 20- or 40-pound propane tanks has grown after a full season of grilling (a great sign that you enjoyed your summer!).

If you have empty propane tanks sitting around your backyard (never inside your home, we hope), it’s a good idea to have them refilled or recycled before winter sets in. Remember: discarding propane cylinders with your regular trash is dangerous – and illegal in New York State!

While you may find some private recycling companies that will take your old single use or refillable propane grill cylinders, the easiest and safest way to handle propane tank disposal in the Buffalo and Rochester area is to bring your propane tank to one of our convenient locations and let us do it for you.

When transporting your tank, please observe the following propane safety procedures:

• Keep your propane tank well-ventilated inside your vehicle
• Always transport your propane tank upright (with the valve at the top)
• Close the valve by turning it clockwise; if you have a valve cap, use it
• Take your propane tank directly to the refilling location
• Do not leave your propane tank unaccompanied in the vehicle

If you need your propane tank re-certified (which is required once your tank reaches its tenth year in use and every five years after that), we can do that, too. To check your propane tank’s certification date, look for a metal collar at the top of the tank, near the valve; the date should be stamped into the collar.

Dispose of your propane barbecue cylinder properly by bringing it to a convenient Irish Propane location!

Contact us to learn more – or just stop by with your old tank!

It’s easy to forget how much propane you’re using once temperatures start to rise, since you aren’t running high volume propane appliances like space heaters, furnaces, boilers, or fireplaces.

But there are plenty of other propane-powered appliances that continue to get a workout through the late spring and summer months – propane water heaters, for example, or propane outdoor living equipment such as patio heaters, built-in grills and pool heaters.

If you get a propane bill that’s higher than expected this summer, it could be tempting to think you have a propane leak somewhere in your system. If that’s the case, be sure to follow propane safety instructions to rule out the problem.

Average propane use by your appliances

But most of the time, you won’t have a leak – you just used more propane than you thought you would. Keep in mind these use rates when you’re estimating the amount of propane you’ll need in the coming months (all values approximate):

• Pool Heater (average size about 21,000 gallons) = 4 gallons/hour
• Gas cooktop/range @ 65,000 BTU/hour = 5 to 10 gallons per month
• Built-in propane grill (four burner) = 0.75 gallons/hour (all burners on medium)
• Tankless water heater @40,000 BTU/hour = 1.5 gallons per day
• Gas clothes dryer @ 35,000 BTU/hr = less than one gallon per day when in operation

As you can see, the gallons add up quickly!

Reliable propane delivery in Buffalo and Rochester, NY

The good news if you use more propane than expected this summer is that more of it is just a phone call away – always available at fair and honest prices from the pros at Irish Propane. Our well maintained delivery fleet is on the move every day, delivering high quality propane safely to homes and businesses throughout out northwestern NY service area.

For residential and commercial propane delivery in Buffalo and Rochester, NY, trust the pros at Irish Propane – your family-owned propane supplier for four generations!

Spring is here – time to start thinking about outdoor entertaining! With a little planning and investment – and a little help from propane gas – you can turn your plain old outdoor space into your family’s favorite place to gather.

Why spruce up your outdoor space?

Adding an outdoor kitchen or entertainment space is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to add space to your home, giving you more area to entertain at a fraction of the cost of an home addition.

An investment in your outdoor space will usually pay for itself by making your home more desirable if you choose to sell it, to say nothing of what it will do for your energy bills if your family spends more time outside rather than in your home.

Propane makes outdoor living possible

Imagine what you could do with an outdoor “room” packed with comforts you know and love. It’s possible, thanks to the power of propane – and it could be more affordable than you think! Consider these propane possibilities for your outdoor space:

• Propane patio heaters – Keep your guests comfortable on cool spring and fall nights with a propane patio heater.
• Propane mosquito magnets – Imagine a mosquito-free yard without the noxious smells or obnoxious sounds of sprays and zappers – that’s what you get when you install a propane mosquito magnet (here’s how it works…pretty cool, huh?).
• A propane grill and smoker – When it comes to outdoor cooking, nothing beats the precision temperature control of propane. Make a built-in grill the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen – or add a propane smoker for perfect smoked meat and veggies without the wood- or coal-burning hassles.
• Propane pool heaters – The only thing that beats a cool dip on a hot day is a warm dip on a cool evening – or soaking in a propane-heated spa at the end of a long work day. The best way to make that happen? Use a propane pool or spa heater.
• Propane torches and lighting – Propane lights are available in just about any size and style – from tiki torches to modern fixtures. No more wires or stinky candles – just flick a switch and your lamps are lit for the night.
• Propane fire pits and fire tables – Imagine sitting by a hearth under the stars – without leaving your backyard! You can do it, thanks to propane!

Power your outdoor fun with propane – delivered when and where you need it from the pros at Irish Propane. Contact us today to learn more about reliable propane deliveries in Buffalo and Rochester, NY!

If you’re an Irish Propane customer (or have plans to become one), you’re probably already aware of the many great benefits that propane offers as one of the most versatile and powerful home fuels around.

But how well do you really know propane?

Propane Science

Here are 10 facts you might not know about clean, green propane gas:

1. Propane was initially discovered dissolved in Pennsylvania light crude by Edmund Ronalds in 1864, but its success as a commercial fuel was secured thanks to the efforts of Dr. Walter O. Snelling – a safety and explosives expert for the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
2. Propane is a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining; its chemical formula is C3H8.
3. In its natural state, propane is colorless and odorless; an odorant (usually ethyl mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs) is added for safety’s sake.
4. Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas – which is why it is stored and transported as a liquid.
5. Propane won’t ignite when combined with air until the source of ignition reaches 940 degrees Fahrenheit – which is why it’s safe to transport in tanks.
6. Propane is one of the lightest, simplest hydrocarbons in existence. As a result, it is one of the cleanest burning of all fuels – so clean, in fact, that propane is not considered a greenhouse gas.
7. Propane is the only alternative fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992.
8. Although some propane is produced from crude oil refinement, most domestically produced propane is a byproduct of domestic natural gas processing.
9. The propane fuel you buy is not 100 percent propane gas; it’s about 90 percent propane plus odorant, propylene, and about 9 percent butane.
10. Nearly 90 percent of the U.S. propane supply is produced domestically; almost three-quarters of the remaining 10 percent is produced in Canada or Mexico.

Propane – discover its many uses and benefits for your Buffalo or Rochester home or business! Contact us today to learn more.

If you already use propane gas to power appliances in your home, you probably know that it’s probably the most versatile fuel around. Just about any home comfort equipment that runs on electricity can also run on propane – often with dramatic improvements in performance.

Take propane water heaters, for example: a propane water heater will cost about 30 percent less to operate than an electric water heater – even less if you choose a tankless option – while providing much faster recovery times.

But water heaters are just one example of the kind of performance improvement you can expect when you switch to propane gas. Propane furnaces have AFUE ratings* that can range into the upper-90s, for example; that’s considerably more than a heating oil furnace, which typically has an AFUE rating in the mid- to upper 80s. Propane fireplaces are four or five times more efficient than a wood-burning hearth, too.

Propane: Improved efficiency and more

Of course great efficiency is just one benefit of choosing propane. Consider some of the practical ways that propane improves your quality of life at home, especially when compared with using electric appliances:

• Propane furnaces feature two-stage gas burners and variable speed motors that deliver consistently warm air everywhere in your home, no matter how cold it gets outside.
• Propane gas cooking ranges, available in a variety of sizes and styles, give you precision temperature control that no electric stovetop can match.
• Propane fireplaces give you the warm glow of a fire without the set up or clean up of a wood fire.
• Propane water heaters have a much faster recovery period than electric models, so you’ll enjoy longer, hotter showers.
• Propane clothes dryers dry faster with less wear and tear on your clothes.

As you can see, by choosing propane you’ll save money and get better performance almost every time. You’ll also help the environment, since as much as two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted.

Propane – a smart fuel for energy efficiency and more! If you’re ready to make the switch to propane and live in our Rochester or Buffalo service area, be sure to become an Irish Propane customer for the most reliable propane delivery in Western NY!

One of the biggest headaches that any heating equipment owner faces is keeping track of how much fuel they have left in their storage tank – especially as schedules get crazy with back-to-school and holiday to-dos.

Unfortunately, that late summer/early fall ramp-up corresponds with the arrival of cooler weather here in Buffalo and Rochester, when your need for heating fuel is greatest. As a result, even the most responsible homeowners can find themselves calling for an emergency propane delivery when they can least afford the time.

Whatever the reason for your propane run-out, it’s not a fun experience, and it could end up be a lot worse than that: for one thing, propane prices are usually at their highest during heating season, which means you’ll probably pay more for a propane fill up than you would have just a month or two earlier (like now, for instance). For another, you’ll have to pay a propane professional to pressure test and re-start your heating system after a service interruption (don’t look at us…it’s the law! See section 406.6.3 here).

The bottom line here? Don’t run out of propane! The question is, how do you prevent a run-out? Here are four suggestions:

• Keep your tank at least one-quarter full at all times. Waiting until the last minute for a delivery – especially in cold weather – is a recipe for a fuel run-out disaster. Be proactive: schedule your propane delivery when your tank is no less than one-quarter full (ideally a little before then).
• Use Automatic Delivery. When you sign up for automatic propane delivery, you never need to worry about running out of gas again. In fact, you don’t really have to do a thing except pay your bill – our automated system will estimate (with high accuracy) when you need a refill based on your past usage and the current weather. When your tank is nearing one-quarter full, you’ll be contacted directly to schedule a propane delivery.
• Consider a tank monitor. Installed directly on your propane tank, smart tank monitors can instantly report on your home’s fuel levels, consumption and heating costs, sending data via a smart phone app. If you want the ultimate assurance against fuel run-outs, a tank monitor is the way to go.
• Maintain your heating equipment regularly. Regular inspections and professional heating maintenance will help keep your furnace or boiler running at peak capacity, which means your equipment will sip rather than gulp down fuel. Professional service will also help spot leaks, performance drop-offs, and other problems before that could lead to bigger problems down the road.

Stay on top of fuel management this fall with FREE automatic propane delivery from Irish Propane! Contact us today to learn more.

One of the best ways to live greener in the world is by choosing an eco-friendly fuel for your home – and when it comes to environmental performance, propane is at or near the top of the list of home heating fuels.

Because propane is such a simple hydrocarbon, it is one of the cleanest burning fuels available, sporting a lower carbon content than fuel oil, gasoline, diesel, or kerosene. It also emits far less greenhouse gas per BTU than almost any other home fuel, making it a great choice for Buffalo- and Rochester-area homes where eco warriors reside.

Four reasons why propane is considered a “green” fuel

If you’re looking for a clean, green fuel for your home, propane could be just your ticket for these reasons and more:

• It reduces greenhouse gas emissions – Propane produces 38 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than heating oil, with low carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions. A high efficiency propane gas furnace emits 10,000 fewer pounds of carbon per year than standard oil-fired furnace!
• It’s non-toxic and can’t spill – Although it is stored in a liquid state, a propane leak will simply vaporize into the air, unlike heating oil which can pool and lead to an extremely expensive and environmentally costly remediation. And because of its low-carbon nature, propane does not turn into greenhouse gasses or other harmful emissions when it is burned.
• It’s highly efficient – Because propane combustion produces a lot of energy, you need less of it to power your appliances; propane-powered home appliances can reach efficiency ratings of 95 percent or more. By using less fuel, your propane equipment releases fewer emissions.
• It’s EPA-approved – Propane is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved clean alternative fuel, offering lower greenhouse gas emissions than many other energy options without compromising performance in a range of applications.

Considering a switch from electricity to propane in your Buffalo- or Rochester-area home? We can help. Contact us today to learn more about propane and take a big step towards making our world cleaner and greener!

Say the word “propane” and many people will immediately think of barbecue grills and camping stoves. If you’re one of those people, you’re missing out on one of the most versatile ways to power your Buffalo- or Rochester-area home.

How versatile? You can use propane to:

• Power almost any appliance – Propane is one of the most efficient fuel options available for most appliances, including your cooking range, clothes dryer, and much more.
• Warm your home – Today’s propane furnaces can deliver up to 99 percent efficiency performance, providing warmer air for less money than any electric heat pump.
• Expand your outdoor possibilities – From propane pool and spa heaters to propane porch heaters, fire pits, and built-in grills, you can make your outdoor entertainment space your family’s favorite “room” in the house.
• Keep the hot water coming – A high-efficiency tankless propane water heater will give you virtually unlimited hot water on demand (no more cold showers!) at a much lower cost per gallon than an electric heater – and do it all from a unit the size of a suitcase.
• Recover a “lost room” – Most of us have a room that we underutilize in the winter because it’s just not warm enough. With a powerful propane space heater, you can rediscover that lost square footage.
• Create a focal point – An propane fireplace or cast iron stove will quickly transform any room into the center of attention in your home, providing the warm glow of a fire at the touch of a button.
• Give you peace of mind – Severe weather is becoming more common these days – and so are the dangerous power outages that can come with it. With a propane-powered emergency backup generator, you’ll not only keep the lights and heat or A/C on – you’ll also keep your food fresh, your sump pump working and your home security system protecting your valuables.

Best of all, you can power all of your appliances from a single, durable aboveground or underground propane tank. Talk about simplicity and convenience!

Propane – discover the possibilities for your Buffalo or Rochester-are home (or business)! Contact us today to learn more about reliable propane gas delivery from Irish Propane.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we’ve officially passed the halfway point of Summer 2018 here in Buffalo and Rochester, NY (and everywhere else in the Northern Hemisphere, for that matter).

That means that before you know it, there will be a chill in the New York air, and you’ll be tapping that thermostat button to keep things nice and toasty in your propane-heated home – and paying the price to do it, too.

If you want that price to be as low as possible (who doesn’t?), one of the best ways to do it is to pre-buy your propane gallons. By purchasing your propane in the offseason, you lock in your price for every gallon you agree to buy – which could save you hundreds of dollars if we have a winter like we had last year.

While buying your 2018-19 propane gallons now doesn’t guarantee that you’ll save the most money this year, early season prices are usually lower than those you’ll pay as supply dwindles and demand increases during the winter months.

If you previously purchased your residential propane gallons on a buying plan from us, now is the time to re-up your contract – just contact us and we’ll take care of you right away.

The bottom line: While there is no way to know for certain where propane prices might go in the heating season to come, an early season pre-buy almost always saves you money. But even if you chose to hold off on your propane purchase, you can rest assured knowing that whenever you buy your gas you’ll get Fair Pricing from Irish – we guarantee it.

Take advantage of pre-heating season pricing – buy your fall and winter propane now! Contact us today to lock in early season prices on your 2018-19 propane.

One of the worst nightmares of any food truck owner – especially one just starting out – is to run out of propane in the middle of a busy workday, with a line of people waiting for food. That’s why it’s so important to understand how much propane you need to power all the appliances that keep your business up and running.

Here are some basic steps to calculating propane usage for your food truck.

Step 1: Measure your tank – Measure your propane tank’s height (from the floor to the top of the tank collar) and diameter (around its widest point) to determine its size. A typical 20 lb. tank is 18 inches high and has a diameter of 12.5 inches. A 30 lb. tank is 24 inches high and has a diameter of 12.5 inches. A 40 lb. tank is 29 inches high and has a diameter of 12.5 inches. A 100 lb. tank is 48 inches high and has a diameter of 14.5 inches.

Step 2: Determine your tank’s BTU capacity – When full,

• A 20 lb. propane tank has a 430,270 BTU capacity
• A 30 lb. propane tank has a 649,980 BTU capacity
• A 40 lb. propane tank has a 860,542 BTU capacity
• A 100 lb. propane tank has a 2,160,509 BTU capacity

Step 3. Add up BTU ratings for all your appliances – You can find the BTU rating on each appliance, or in its owner’s manual. Add the BTU rating of all your appliances together.

Step 4. Divide the BTU output of your tank (or tanks) by the total appliance BTU rating – This will determine how many hours your propane tank(s) will be able to power the appliances in your food truck to run at 100 percent.

That’s it!

Don’t get caught short of propane in your food truck – contact the food truck experts at Irish Propane today for fast, safe propane tank refueling – or any other food truck services, including planning, leak testing, certifications and inspections, and more!

*Please note that any appliance’s BTU rating assumes that the appliance is running at 100 percent – for example, a gas grill running with all burners set on “high” or a water heater set at its maximum temperature setting.