Delaware Propane has two excellent fuel delivery options

Today, Delaware families have many options for their fuel delivery. At Delaware Propane, we pride ourselves on being a full-service home comfort provider. If your home’s heat, hot water, or major appliances rely on propane, we can deliver fuel to your home — and top-quality service!

Unlike some of the cash-on-delivery discounters out there, we believe in providing propane delivery options to our customers. That way, you can find a fueling option that meets your particular needs. We offer both Will Call and Keep-Full automatic delivery.

But which choice is best for your home?

How does automatic delivery work?

Automatic delivery programs like Delaware Propane’s Keep-Full option take all the stress out of fuel delivery. You no longer need to check the gauge on your propane tank, and you won’t have to remember to call us when you need a refill.

Here’s how automatic delivery works:

• Delaware Propane takes your usage history and the current weather conditions and determines how much fuel you have left.
• We schedule a delivery when we estimate that you need a refill.
• You don’t need to buy more propane — and you can be confident that you’ll always have the fuel you need.

Automatic delivery is the best option for homeowners with crucial, fuel-intensive systems that depend on propane, like furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. If you need propane for your heat and hot water, we strongly recommend you take advantage of our Keep-Full automatic delivery service. It’s free of charge and guarantees you never run out!

How does will call delivery service work?

Some customers prefer to schedule their own deliveries, so we also offer Will Call service. With Will Call, you monitor your tank level and contact us via our website or by phone when your tank is about 30 percent full.

Will Call propane delivery is a good option for people with only a couple of non-essential appliances that use propane.

What is wireless propane tank monitoring?

Some households have less consistent fuel usage. This could be because their home isn’t occupied all year round or because they have frequent visitors that cause sporadic increases in propane use. It can be challenging to plan automatic deliveries in these circumstances accurately, so we recommend taking advantage of wireless tank monitoring.

Delaware Propane’s monitors use wireless and cellular technology to keep track of your propane supply in real-time. When the monitor detects that your tank has reached a predetermined level, Delaware Propane is notified. Then, we make delivery before you get too low.

Our technicians can install a tank monitor in a matter of minutes, and you’ll have total peace of mind going forward. We also recommend wireless tank monitors for owners of rental properties or hosts on VRBO and Airbnb. They’ll ensure that your renters and guests never run out of fuel.

We’re ready to set you up with the perfect propane delivery for your home. Become a Delaware Propane Customer today.

Fueling cooktops, generators, crop dryers, and more!

While you’re surely aware that families across Delaware count on propane to keep their homes safe and comfortable, it’s also an essential fuel for First State businesses.

Commercial ventures that rely on propane include hotels, laundromats, restaurants, construction sites, farms, vineyards, hospitals, and schools. Delaware Propane is proud to supply it to customers throughout our state. Let’s explore some of the ways that propane powers businesses.

Propane ensures comfort in hospitality

Propane produces twice the heat energy as natural gas. It’s much more powerful at generating fast, efficient heat than electricity.

That’s why restaurants, resorts, and hotels prefer propane for their cooktops and ranges. They can get an intense flame and controllable temperature without needing to shoulder the expense of tapping into a natural gas utility.

The same is true for hotel laundries and commercial laundromats. Propane dryers work 25 percent faster than their electric counterparts, all while producing less static electricity and fewer wrinkles!

Hotels also count on propane to heat their rooms, conference centers, and pools and fire up their hearths and fire pits.

Propane supports crops and livestock

So many of the farms, orchards, dairies, and vineyards in Delaware run on propane. Agricultural uses for propane include:

• heating barns, stables, greenhouses, and other outbuildings
• generating electric power
• Burning away weeds and invasive plants as an alternative to herbicides
• efficiently drying crops

Propane brings heat and power where you need them

Construction sites count on propane-powered generators for electricity. Portable propane heating keeps workers warm and ensures that cement, compound, plaster, and paint dry in the cold.

Many businesses and facilities cannot afford to lose power during a grid failure: schools, hospitals, assisted living centers, and server rooms containing vital data. Propane power generators offer the best backup option. Unlike gasoline, propane won’t lose combustibility, no matter how long it sits in the tank. You’ll always have access to on-demand backup electricity.

As our name suggests, Delaware Propane understands the needs and challenges of our state’s businesses, farms, municipalities, and worksites. We want to bring our experience and insights to your company. Contact us today!

An efficient, versatile fuel that does more than heat your home

You might have noticed that an increasing number of homes in your Delaware neighborhood have propane storage tanks in their yards. They are among the roughly 50 million American homes that use propane in some capacity.

Propane has long been one of the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and eco-friendly home fuels. Pretty much all the propane you use is domestically-produced. The US exports more than it uses! And propane burns in home heating systems with over 90 percent efficiency, plus it emits minimal carbon dioxide and virtually no particulate matter.

But one of propane’s main selling points is its adaptability. It’s used to power a host of appliances and systems. Many are integral to a home’s safety and comfort. Others boost your quality of life. Some even raise your property value!

Home heating and hot water

For home comfort during the fall and winter, propane is just about as good as it gets. A propane furnace heats the air to a range of 115 to 125 degrees. That’s a lot of heat for your buck.

Propane-fired water heaters are even more efficient. In fact, a traditional propane water heater costs 30 percent less to run than an electric model. Propane tankless water heaters are 50 percent less expensive and provide virtually unlimited warm water on demand!

In-Home Appliances

Propane does more than heat your home and water. A propane-powered clothes dryer can dry laundry 25 percent faster than electric dryers. They also produce fewer wrinkles and less static electricity!

And propane-fired cooktops and ranges are the epitome of at-home cooking. They offer fast heat and optimal control for home chefs.

Finally, a gas log or fireplace insert can turn any room into a cozy, luxurious social hub. It can also do wonders for your home’s property value. The National Association of Realtors says that a gas fireplace can increase a home’s market value by up to $12,000.

Outdoor living

With summer in full swing, it’s worth discussing the many ways that propane can super-charge your outdoor entertaining:

• Propane grills provide precise cooking temperatures with no charcoal mess.
• Propane pool and spa heaters keep your water at the perfect temperature and extend your swimming season into the fall.
• Propane firepits create a warm, cozy ambiance for your family and friends.
• Propane patio heaters help you beat the nighttime chill.
• Propane bug traps use moisture to keep the mosquitos away.
• Propane lighting illuminates your patio, walkways, pool area and entrances.

If you’re looking for reliable, full-service fuel delivery for your propane-powered home, Delaware Propane can help. Become a customer today.

Get Ready for Grilling Season!

We’re all excited that it’s finally summer in the First State. The sun’s out longer, and the temperatures are rising — and that means it’s time to break out your favorite propane-fired outdoor living products.

Whether you’re firing up the grill for an afternoon cookout or a propane fire pit for a cozy evening outdoors, there’s a good chance that you will need a propane cylinder to power your summer fun. After all, 61 percent of grill owners in the U.S. use propane.

Delaware Propane is here to make getting your fuel a cinch!

Easy Cylinder Refills Near You

Trust us — it’s always a better idea to refill your portable propane tank than to exchange it. Refilling with a propane company is generally cheaper than trading in a cylinder with a third-party retailer.

And Delaware Propane offers the most convenient and affordable refills option around!

We can fill your cylinder quickly at our office at 2443 S Dupont Blvd in Smyrna.

• Refill hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Monday through Thursday, we offer $20 propane cylinder refills.
• On Fridays, you can refill for only $15!

Safety Tips for Propane Cylinders

Propane cylinders are easy to store and transport, but it’s vital that you remain safe while handling them.

• Make sure to get your cylinders filled right before going home, and transport them upright in your vehicle, safely secured, with two windows open.
• Regularly check your cylinders for dents, rust and other damage.
• Here’s how you test a cylinder for leaks. After connecting the cylinder, spray it with soapy water and open the valve. If you see bubbles, tighten the fittings. Check again, and if you still see bubbles, there’s likely a leak. Immediately replace the leaking container.
• Keep your cylinders stored upright, clear of flames and spark-producing items and out of extreme heat.

You can find more propane safety information here.

At Delaware Propane, we want to be your trusted home comfort partner. Drop us a line to join our family of customers!

A Monthly Budget Cuts Your Winter Expenses and Adds Predictability

Whether you’re filling your car’s gas tank or receiving an invoice for your home’s propane delivery, there’s no denying that energy prices are on the rise. The conflict in Ukraine sent shockwaves through markets, and all energy rates are spiking.

At Delaware Propane, we understand how stressful this situation is. We are always thinking about what we can do to make these volatile economic times less painful for our First State customers. No one knows for certain when fuel prices will decrease again, but in the meantime, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of our Budget Plan.

How Our Budget Plan Works

When you sign up for our Budget Plan, you no longer need to pay for your propane in full on delivery. Instead, we calculate how much fuel you will likely use over the course of the year and spread your fuel costs across 11 stable, predictable monthly installments.

Benefits of the Delaware Propane Budget Plan

The purpose of our Budget Plan is to shield customers from fluctuations in their fuel billing. We know that bulk propane bills can be painful, and they often arrive at inconvenient times, like the holidays and tax time.

That’s why taking advantage of our Budget Plan is so worthwhile in a volatile market. By spreading out your payments evenly, your winter expenses are cut virtually in half. Additionally, you’ll reduce uncertainty in your household spending. No more wondering how much the next delivery invoice will be — you’ll have the same fuel payment each month.

And if the actual cost of the propane you use is higher or lower than what we estimated, we’ll adjust your plan accordingly. You will only pay the cost of the fuel you received at the market price on the days you received it — not a dime more.

If you’ve had enough unpleasant billing surprises, the Delaware Propane Budget Plan is for you. You can contact us to enroll in a Budget Plan, and we can also discuss other ways you can reduce your home energy spending and make payments more easily.

Understanding the Propane Gas Market and Price Fluctuations

We don’t need to tell you that prices are spiking on just about everything. From frozen fish to fertilizer, the cost of almost everything is up. But perhaps nowhere is the pain more acute than fuel.

While dealing with higher propane prices can be frustrating and downright painful at times, try to take comfort that propane remains one of the most cost-efficient ways to heat your home and fuel your appliances.

Many of our customers want to better understand the factors causing propane prices to rise. Here’s a breakdown of why the fuel that heats your home is more expensive.

Propane Price Swings Are More Moderate than Oil

It’s worth noting that swings in propane are less extreme than heating oil, gasoline, and other fuels derived from crude oil.

The reason is that propane is an entirely domestic form of energy. In fact, the U.S. exports more propane than we use. So, while propane is susceptible to the same market forces as oil, its abundant North American supply offers more security.

Factors That Contribute to Propane Price Fluctuations

Even though propane is somewhat insulated from market forces, they still have an effect. Here are some of the contributing factors to rising propane prices.

Supply and Demand

High demand and lower-than-average inventory often drive higher propane prices. Propane demand goes well beyond heating homes and powering appliances. Recently, global demand rose because of propane’s use as a petrochemical feedstock. Petrochemicals serve as the basis of products like plastic, paper, adhesives, and detergents. Petrochemical manufacturers are the largest consumers of propane.

Global Strife 

War, political turmoil and natural disasters impact crude oil and natural gas prices. Propane is a by-product of both crude oil and natural gas. Rising prices for these fuels have a ripple effect on propane.

There is also a lot of speculation involved. Before the start of the war in Ukraine in late February, energy prices rose in anticipation of potential sanctions against Russia’s energy sector. Even the hint of a possible disruption in energy supply influenced buying and selling by commodities traders. In the frantic world of investment, this is known as the fear factor, and it’s only become worse since the invasion of Ukraine.

Export Requirements

The U.S. is a significant propane exporter, and that export business continues to grow. Many propane suppliers are obligated to provide the quantity to export, leaving less propane inventory for domestic consumption.

Extreme Weather

It makes sense that colder months bring higher propane demand. In scarce markets, this leads to higher prices, and this compounds when cold weather continues longer than expected. And it’s not just cold temperatures that can increase propane demand. Heavy rains during the agricultural growing season create bumper crops that need to be dried rapidly. Propane is among the fuels used for crop drying.

There are several other factors contributing to propane price increases, such as transportation bottlenecks, energy policy, manufacturing trends, delivery costs, and pandemic-specific workforce and supply-chain issues.

How Can Delaware Propane Help?

Historical trends have shown us that, with energy prices, what goes up must come down. The question is, when will relief come. We can all agree: the sooner, the better.

In the meantime, if you’re concerned about falling behind on your propane bills, contact us as soon as possible. We can often work out a solution together, especially when you get in touch with us early. The best solution for many of our valued customers is a monthly payment plan.
  
You can get in touch with us here.

We all hope that—regardless of what happens with energy prices—we will soon be living in a more peaceful world, where children don’t have to sleep in bomb shelters anymore.

Your Home, Budget, and the Environment Benefit From Propane

We know that Delaware homeowners have many energy choices for heating their homes and powering their major appliances. From electricity to oil to thermal energy, all these options have benefits and drawbacks.

You might have noticed that many of your neighbors in the First State choose propane for their homes. This shouldn’t be a surprise—propane offers better comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency than other fuel sources, and Delaware Propane makes converting to propane easy!

If you’re thinking about making the change to propane, here are five reasons it’s a great choice.

Propane Keeps Your Home Cozy and Comfortable

Propane is incredibly efficient. In fact, it burns with 90% efficiency – and for some systems, as high as 98% – meaning that you lose a tiny amount of heat energy through your chimney. This means that a propane-powered furnace or heater gets your home warmer faster than an electric model. The average propane-fired furnace keeps a U.S. home 20°F warmer than an electric heat pump.

Propane is Green

This energy efficiency is also great for the environment. The minimal number of emissions released by burning propane is much cleaner. Propane contains virtually no particulate matter, a known carcinogen. It released significantly less carbon dioxide than other energy sources. If you use propane for heating, hot water, cooking and drying clothes, your home’s greenhouse gas emissions will decrease by up to 50%.

Moreover, propane-fired furnaces produce 50 percent less nitrogen oxide and 82 percent less sulfur oxide than electric furnaces. Those emissions contribute to acid rain and worsen respiratory illnesses.

Propane Has Many Uses

Propane is an adaptable fuel. The liquid propane that heats a home can also power water heaters, clothe dryers, ovens, and ranges. It can light up your summer nights with propane powers lighting and firepits. It can make colder nights cozy with a propane-powered fireplace insert.

Propane is Great for Your Bottom Line

For the most part, propane-powered devices cost 40% to 60% less money to run than comparable electricity-powered appliances. Propane-fired water heaters cost 30% to 60% less. These savings add up fast!

Propane is Safe and Reliable

Having a propane-powered home means you aren’t dependent on a fragile electric grid that’s prone to outages. A propane generator can even ensure that your home has electricity during blackouts.

Additionally, propane is non-toxic. It doesn’t spill, pool or leave a residue, which makes it harmless to soil or water in the event of a tank leak. You can enjoy complete peace of mind powering your home with this safe, reliable fuel.

Are you ready to convert your home to propane? Contact Delaware Propane today to become a customer!

Unsurprisingly, we’ve been getting many calls around two connected issues: the surge in fuel prices and supply concerns. People are astounded by how much prices have risen and how fast. So are we. They are also concerned that there will be interruptions in supply that will cause them to run out of fuel. 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked energy markets, sending crude oil to record territory and spiking all energy prices. We’ve had increases from our propane suppliers of over 40 cents per gallon already, and that might be out of date by the time you read this.
 

What’s Coming Next?

We don’t know where things will go from here. One thing we can tell you is that we hate this as much as you do. Some people are under the misconception that when prices rise, we make more money. The opposite is true. People cut back usage. They have trouble paying their bills, and our receivables skyrocket. Meanwhile, we must pay our suppliers in just ten days. We must borrow much more from the bank. It is an awful mess for everyone.

One thing you can count on is that we will not let you run out. We have been in business for many years and have very strong relationships with suppliers and financial institutions. We are already getting calls from customers who are with other companies that can’t say the same. These customers are unable to get deliveries for 20 days out. You don’t have to worry about that with us.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, talk to us before it becomes a problem. Many times, we can work out something to give you more time, especially if you’ve been with us a while. We can also set you up on a monthly payment plan.

Nothing will make us happier than when prices start dropping. Until then, trust us to look out for you, and let’s pray for the people of Ukraine.  

Propane: Clean-Burning, Affordable, and Effective

We all want to make the most responsible choices for the planet and our families, and that includes choosing the best heating solution for your home.

These days, many public officials and advocates push all-electric heat as the only green option. Perhaps, you’ve heard that converting your home to an electric heat pump is both clean and efficient, but the facts don’t bear that out.

You see, electricity is neither as clean nor as efficient as you may think. On the contrary, propane is superior to electricity in many ways!

Electric Heat is Not as Sustainable as it Seems

While it might seem intuitive that electricity is cleaner than propane, this isn’t the case. It’s true that electric heat produces no greenhouse gas emissions in a home. However, the way that electricity is produced is far from clean.

63% of electricity comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. These generate huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

When compared with a clean-burning alternative like propane, electricity doesn’t look like a very sustainable option.

Propane Powers Homes More Efficiently and Affordably

Propane is a clean energy alternative that helps Delaware households save money and become more energy efficient.

Consider these benefits:

• Propane is Green – Propane is not a greenhouse gas, and burning it produces almost zero emissions. Every day, we are getting closer to fully-renewable propane. This product will be composed of animal oils, plant oils, biomass, and other triglycerides but will burn as effectively as today’s propane.
• Propane is energy-efficient – Propane-powered homes also have smaller carbon footprints because their heating and appliances work more efficiently than electric models. The average propane-fired furnace keeps a U.S. home 20°F warmer than an electric heat pump.
• Propane is affordable – Propane is one of the most cost-effective options for your HVAC system and appliances. For example, propane water heaters generally cost 30% less to operate than electric ones (60% less for tankless propane water heaters).
• Propane is reliable – You have complete control of your energy supply when you heat your home with propane. If there is an electric blackout in your area, your home stays warm and safe!

At Delaware Propane, we value the needs of our customers above all else. Check out some of our fantastic options for Delaware homeowners, like low-cost tank installations and our Keep Full automatic-delivery plan.

Save on Your Home Heating with Efficient Propane Use

These days it feels like everything is getting more expensive. When prices on everyday items rise, homeowners with propane-powered appliances look for new strategies to reduce their energy consumption. After all, smarter propane use means lower monthly bills.

Of course, you don’t want to sacrifice comfort to save money. At Delaware Propane, we have identified several tips for lowering energy use while remaining warm and comfortable.

Here are five ways to significantly improve your home’s propane consumption and lower your bill in the process!

1. Install Sufficient Insulation

To help your propane heating system work more efficiently, you need to keep heat inside your home. Start by installing additional insulation in areas where heat often escapes: attics, floors, crawl spaces, and basements. Even recently-built homes benefit from extra insulation.

The US Department of Energy recommends that homeowners use materials with high R-value, which measures heat flow reduction. For example, they recommend Delaware homeowners use between R38 and R60 material for uninsulated attics.

Adding insulation can generate huge savings. The Department of Energy states that properly insulating your home can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.

2. Plug Air Leaks with Weather Stripping

Weatherstripping offers great heat conservation benefits as well. A good start toward reducing home heating costs is to check your window and doorframes for drafts and apply weather stripping where you feel cold air. You can also have a professional identify air leaks with a comprehensive home energy audit. This process involves precision tools like infrared cameras and blower doors.

By preventing heat from escaping your home, your propane furnace or boiler will need to cycle less often, reducing your energy costs.

3. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Did you know that households can save 10% on annual heating costs by lowering their thermostats only 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day!

With a programmable thermostat, you can set up money-saving temperature adjustments based on your schedule. You can schedule 7°-10° reductions for overnight hours or while you are out of the house working.

For added financial benefits, consider a smart thermostat like Nest. You can regulate temperatures from your smartphone, which is excellent news if you’re looking to save some money on heating and cooling bills. Smart thermostats also make energy-saving modifications, lowering the temperature in your home when no one is there.

With a programmable thermostat, you can receive the benefits of lower propane use without lessening your family’s comfort.

4. Schedule a Heating System Tune-up

Performing maintenance on your propane-fired appliances – especially your home heating system – improves their efficiency and catches minor issues before they become expensive problems.

After this heating season or before the next one, you should contact a professional HVAC company to perform annual maintenance on your equipment, including cleaning, inspections and parts replacement.

Having an HVAC expert tune up your heating equipment can save you money on your propane bill because properly-functioning furnaces and boilers consume less fuel. You, as the homeowner, reap the benefits!

5. Enroll in Delaware Propane’s PreBuy Program Next Season

The tips listed above help your home retain heat and your appliances work to their fullest potential. But wouldn’t it be nice if you could protect yourself from fluctuations in the price of propane? There is!

Delaware Propane’s PreBuy Program allows you to buy your propane for the winter before temperatures drop. This locks in the price per gallon and gives you more control over your home energy budget. No more worrying about sudden spikes in the price of propane!

So, before the start of the next heating season, enroll in PreBuy.

At Delaware Propane, we understand the household budget concerns of Delaware homeowners. As a locally-owned, locally-based company, we are committed to delivering you propane and peace of mind. Contact us today to become a customer!