Gas Logs vs. Firewood: Which is Better?
5 Reasons Gas Logs Are Better than Firewood
There are lots of things to love about a fireplace—the warmth, the coziness, the ambiance. There’s nothing quite like it. But traditional fireplaces that use firewood have some drawbacks. If you want comfort without the cleanup, consider a propane gas log set instead.
A propane gas log-set is easy to use and can look like burning wood. If you’d like to spend a cool night in front of a cozy flame in your eastern North Carolina home, here are five reasons to consider gas log sets as an alternative to wood:
- Gas logs are cleaner and more convenient. You don’t need to purchase or chop wood, spend time cleaning up ash, or pay for chimney maintenance. You don’t even have to look for matches. You can start your propane gas logs from the couch using a remote control! How easy is that?
- Gas logs save you money. There are a lot of expenses associated with a wood-burning fireplace that get eliminated when you switch to a gas log set. For every hour you use your fireplace, you’ll be saving at least 30%–40% in costs. And that’s before you even consider maintenance fees (which are much higher for wood burning fireplaces).
- Gas logs are eco-friendly. Propane is a clean-burning fuel that produces no harmful particulates. The carbon emissions associated with gas-fueled fireplaces are 35%–40% lower than those for traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
- Gas logs are safer than wood. Especially if you have children or pets, you’ll appreciate the safety of a gas log set. It’s also a smart and safer choice for small spaces. Gas logs don’t produce flying sparks the way real burning wood does.
- Gas logs can be customized. With gas logs, you have full control over what your fire will look like. Choose logs modeled after your favorite type of wood and pick the size and style you prefer. To see the options we offer at Cherry Energy, visit our showroom.
Cherry Energy has been serving eastern North Carolina for almost a century. We offer vented and vent-free gas log sets for your home or outdoor hearth, with selections from brands you know and trust.
If you’re ready to enjoy the beauty of wood with all the benefits of propane, contact us today or come visit our showroom in Kinston.
What You Need To Know About Propane and Landscaping
Have you considered using propane to power your commercial lawnmowers and other landscaping equipment? There are a lot of benefits to switching from gasoline to propane. Consider the following eight reasons propane is the right choice for your Eastern North Carolina landscaping business:
- Versatility: Propane can power your trucks, mowers, trimmers, and more. And it out-performs gasoline in a lot of ways.
- Safe & Easy: Refueling is a breeze with propane. Just come to Cherry Energy to replace your empty tank with a full one or fill multiple tanks at our refilling station. It’s that easy. It’s also safer and cleaner because propane is nontoxic.
- Cost: Propane isn’t taxed and is generally less expensive per gallon than gasoline. You’ll also save money on maintenance and repairs.
- Equipment Longevity: Because propane burns so cleanly, it leaves less residue on engines. As a result, your engines will see less wear and tear and will last longer. This saves you even more money, as you won’t have to fix or replace equipment as frequently.
- Less Maintenance: Engines that run on propane require less maintenance than their gasoline counterparts. You and your employees can be more productive if your equipment is more dependable.
- Carbon Footprint: Burning propane instead of gasoline will improve the air quality in your neighborhood. In addition, your business will grow because eco-conscious clients will be more likely to hire you.
- Flexible Fueling: You can choose whether you’d like your propane delivered to you or distributed from a fueling station.
- Made in America: The vast majority (more than 90%) of propane is produced domestically. The transportation and delivery of propane from source to end user has a smaller carbon footprint than fuels that originate abroad.
You know how competitive the landscaping business can be in Eastern North Carolina. By using propane in your lawn maintenance equipment, you can go green, save money, and increase your profits.
Cherry Energy is Eastern North Carolina’s first choice for propane. Contact us today to find out more about how our propane products and services can benefit your landscaping business.
Don’t look now, but September is just around the corner — which means that before you know it, you’ll be reaching for the thermostat to take the chill out of the autumn air.
But we’re not there yet – which makes now the perfect time to take care of the little things that will make the transition from summer to fall and winter go a lot more smoothly in your North Carolina home.
Here are three things you can do right now to ease your way into heating season:
- Schedule your annual tune-up – Preventive maintenance helps you to keep your heating equipment running at peak efficiency and fix small issues before they become big problems. The earlier you schedule your heating service, the better – not only will you avoid the early season rush, but you’ll also enjoy the performance benefits of a tune-up for a full season. You’ll also leave yourself time if you discover it makes sense to explore a heating system upgrade.
- Sign up for Auto-Fill – Want free peace of mind? Sign up for Auto-Fill from Cherry Energy. Our tracking system will estimate when you need fuel based on your past usage and the current local weather, we can deliver your propane or heating oil when your tank is about one-quarter full. You’ll never have to call for a delivery, look at a fuel gauge, or experience a fuel runout again, and you’ll get priority deliveries compared to Will Call service (a real plus in unpredictable weather).
- Sign up for a Cherry Energy Pricing Plan – With Cherry Energy’s Prebuy and Price Cap pricing options, you’ll rest easy knowing that the price of your oil will never go higher than it is when you enter into the contract – and with a price cap*, it could go lower. Of course you can always pay market price if you prefer – the choice is always yours.
Stay one step ahead of fall and winter – contact us today to make managing your propane deliveries and billing more predictable and less stressful in 2021-22!
*Please note that there is a fee for this service – contact us for details.
Propane gas is one of the most potent ways to power the machines and systems that keep a farm up, running, and productive. But it’s also one of the most cost-effective fuels for your farm, especially in the long run.
What Propane Offers
Consider all the ways that making the switch to propane can save money for your agribusiness:
- It reduces fuel costs – Propane gas is significantly less expensive per gallon than gasoline or diesel fuel.
- It lowers equipment costs – Propane-powered equipment typically has a lower up-front purchase cost than diesel equipment.
- You’ll pay less for repairs – Because it burns cleaner, equipment powered by propane tends to break down less frequently, which means you’ll spend less money on repairs and spend more time working productively on your farm.
- You’ll lose less fuel – Propane is used in a closed-end fueling system, which virtually eliminates loss from theft and spillage.
- You can market yourself as “green” – Propane’s lower carbon emissions can create additional economic incentives through organizations such as the Propane Education and Research Council ; it can also open up unique marketing opportunities by helping you promote your “green” management practices to your customers.
Remarkable Versatility, Too
Of course, economic benefits aren’t the only ones you’ll get from switching to propane – you’ll also get safe, reliable power that works in freezing temperatures doesn’t pool or spill, and can power just about anything in an agricultural setting.
These are just some of the propane possibilities for your farm:
- Grain dryers – Propane grain dryers are extremely efficient and effective, taking advantage of propane’s high burning temperatures to remove moisture from harvested grain.
- Barn/greenhouse/space/water heating – Propane is an ideal heat source for your buildings ranging from pens and greenhouses, to milking parlors, storage silos, barns, and more.
- Backup power – Power outages are twice as common today as they were just 10 years ago, and they can certainly be costly in today’s fast-paced agricultural markets. Propane makes the perfect power source for backup generators because it does not degrade over time.
- Irrigation systems – Propane irrigation engines burn clean and operate extremely efficiently, which make them perfect choice to keep crops hydrated.
- Weed control – Propane flame weed control is a great alternative to harsh chemicals: it’s just as effective, it’s more eco-friendly, and it allows farmers to return to the fields immediately.
- Vehicle power – From riding lawnmowers and forklifts to tractors and delivery trucks, propane autogas can fuel just about any vehicle. Propane engines are cheaper to operate per mile and require less servicing than gas engines.
For these reasons and more, propane can be the perfect fuel for your North Carolina farm. Could propane be right for you? Contact Cherry Energy today and let’s talk about it!
An appealing outdoor living space can be a welcome retreat, bringing you the comforts of home under a canopy of stars. One of the best ways to deliver those comforts is with the help of propane gas.
Adding a propane-powered outdoor kitchen or propane firepit is a great way to bring a getaway vibe to your home at a fraction of the cost of a 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 your home than in it with the A/C running 24/7.
Propane Can Do That – Outdoors, Too
Imagine what you could do with an outdoor space packed with comforts you know and love. Consider these propane possibilities for your outdoor space:
- Propane patio heaters – Keep your guests comfortable on chilly nights and extend your outdoor entertainment season by weeks or even months.
- Propane mosquito magnets – Imagine mosquito protection without the noxious smells or obnoxious sounds of sprays and zappers (here’s how a propane mosquito magnet works).
- A propane grill – When it comes to outdoor cooking, nothing beats the precision control of propane. Make a built-in propane grill the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen, or upgrade your charcoal grill to a portable propane model.
- Propane pool heaters – Why limit your swimming to hot summer days? Get a propane pool heater and you’ll stretch your summer by several weeks. Propane is great for spa heating, too.
- Propane lighting – From tiki torches to modern fixtures, propane lighting adds ambiance to any outdoor space without the wires or stinky candles.
- 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 Cherry Energy. Contact Cherry Energy today to learn more about reliable propane deliveries and propane outdoor living installations in eastern North Carolina!
May is National Barbecue month – which means it’s time to get out and cooking on your propane grill! Just be sure you have enough propane to get you through a busy summer of outdoor cooking.
If your grill is built-in and connected to your main propane tank, that means keeping an eye on your fuel gauge and scheduling a propane delivery when it gets to about one-quarter full. But if you use a 20-pound portable propane cylinder, things get a little more complicated.
That’s because 20-pound propane cylinders generally don’t have a gauge – which means you’ll have to find another way to judge how much propane is in your tank.
How To Check Your Propane Level
Here are three simple ways to do that.
- Use warm water. The FIX IT Home Improvement Channel shared this safe and simple trick to determine how much propane is left in your tank. To do it,
- Fill a small bucket with warm to hot tap water.
- Pour the water down the side of the tank.
- Run your hand along the side of the tank and feel for a cool spot.
The top of the cool spot is the fill level of the tank (it’s cool because liquid propane inside the tank absorbs heat from the water, which makes the metal wall of the tank cool to the touch).
- Weigh the tank. Most propane grill tanks come with two numbers stamped on the handle – the water capacity (“WC”) and “Tare Weight” (TW – the weight of the tank when it’s empty). Most grilling tanks weigh about 17 pounds when empty and hold about 20 pounds of gas.
To measure how many pounds of propane are left in your tank, simply weigh it on a scale and subtract the TW number. For example, if a tank weighing 27 pounds has a TW of 17 pounds, there’s about 10 pounds of gas left – a little more than half a tank.
- Install an external gauge. External propane tank gauge options include:
- Inline pressure gauges install between the gas line from the grill and the cut-off valve on the tank, measuring pressures to determine how full the tank is.
- Analog propane scales look like luggage scales and are pre-set to take your tank’s TW into account.
- Digital propane tank scales provide a digital readout of remaining cook time and gas fill percentage. Some even come with smart phone apps.
Pick the gauge you like and give it a go!
How Much Cooking Time Do I Have?
So what does all of this mean when it comes to planning your meals this summer?
As a rule of thumb, a medium-sized grill on high heat will use approximately two pounds of fuel per meal. Following this rule, a 20-pound propane tank will provide 18-20 hours of cooking time on a medium grill. A larger grill can burn through 20lbs of propane in as little as 10 hours.
Remember – these are only estimates, so be sure to plan ahead!
Don’t get burned by your propane cylinder – follow these tips to know how much gas is left in your tank before your next summer cookout!
If you need a propane cylinder refill, please visit one of our Cherry Energy Dealer Locations for an exchange.
If you have a built-in propane grill, be sure to keep enough propane gas on hand to keep it running all season long. Contact Cherry Energy today to schedule a propane delivery in eastern North Carolina today.
If you read this blog, you probably already know that propane is one of the most versatile and clean-burning fuels around – a gas capable of efficiently powering just about any appliance in your home or business (or even your vehicles), and almost always more effective than electricity.
Propane 101
How much do you really know about propane? Here are 10 facts to get to know more about this clean, green home energy source:
- Most domestically produced propane is a byproduct of domestic natural gas processing. In fact, current U.S. propane supplies are abundant due in large part to the recent increase in natural gas production. Some propane is produced from the crude oil refinement process.
- Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C3H8; it is one of the lightest hydrocarbons in existence, which makes it one of the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels.
- In its natural state, propane is nontoxic, colorless, and virtually odorless; an odorant (which smells like rotten eggs) is added for safety’s sake.
- Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas – which is why it’s far more economical to store and transport as a liquid.
- Propane is the only alternative fuel listed in the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992; neither the process by which propane is produced nor the combustion of propane gas produces significant acid rain contaminants.
- Propane gas does not spill, pool, or leave a residue; this makes it harmless to soil or groundwater if a tank leaks.
- Propane furnaces can be up to 95 percent efficient; propane tankless water heaters can achieve even greater efficiency – up to 98 percent.
- Propane clothes dryers dry more quickly while creating less static than electric units, saving you time and money and reducing wear and tear on your wardrobe.
- Propane cooking ranges offer precision temperature control – a key reason why nearly 95 percent of professional chefs choose to cook with gas. Propane stoves also cost less to operate than their electric counterparts.
- 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.
No matter how you look at it, propane is a premium performance fuel for your home, business, or farm. Why not consider making the switch?
Did you know that Cherry Energy offers reliable propane delivery and expert propane appliance installation and service anywhere in our North Carolina service area? Now you do! Contact us to become a Cherry Energy customer or to request a propane delivery today.
Heating water accounts for just almost one-fifth used in a typical American home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy – which means the type of water heater you choose can have a big impact on your wallet (along with your carbon footprint!).
For these reasons and more, we’re big believers in switching from electric to propane it comes time to install your next water heater.
3 Advantages Of Propane Water Heating
Compared to an electric-powered water heater, a propane-powered water heater is:
- A more cost-effective investment – When you consider the total cost of owning a propane water heater – including installation fees, the longer lifespan of the equipment, and the amount of water you can heat per dollar spent on fuel – propane equipment ends up being about 30 percent cheaper than electricity over the course of the equipment’s lifetime.
- A better performer – A propane water heater heats water nearly twice as quickly as an electric heater, which means faster recovery times (and therefore less time without hot water; with a propane tankless water heater, that downtime shrinks to zero). Propane water heaters are also extremely durable, lasting up to 10 years longer than electric heat pump models.
- More eco-friendly – More than one-third of the electricity produced in North Carolina is generated by burning natural gas, which is mostly methane – a gas that is more than 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Another 20 percent of the state’s electricity is generated by burning coal, another big GHG producer. Burning propane, on the other hand, releases virtually no greenhouse gases.
In short, compared with electric models, propane water heaters cost less to operate, last longer, and are less harmful to the planet. If you make a further investment in a propane tankless water heating system, you’ll also save space, get unlimited hot water, and gain more accurate temperature control and longer equipment life.
When you add it all up, propane and water heating are a perfect match. To learn more about propane water heater installation in western NC, contact Cherry Energy today!
After a mild start to winter 2020/21, we can officially declare that winter has arrived here in North Carolina (thanks to our old friend the polar vortex).
Frigid temperatures like the ones we’ve seen recently can cause you to use more propane gas than you expected to or planned for. That’s why, if you’re a Will Call customer, it’s important to keep a close eye on your gas gauge to avoid a costly and potentially dangerous propane run-out.
Reading Your Propane Gas Gauge
If you’re new to propane, or aren’t sure how to read your tank gauge, here are three important things to remember.
- Larger domestic propane tanks typically have a built-in fuel gauge, often located under the tank dome or cover.
- The gauge usually looks a lot like the gas gauge in your car, with numbers that show the percentage of the tank that is full. Most gauges read from 0 to about 90 percent; tanks are never filled to 100 percent capacity because propane gas expands as temperatures rise (space must be provided to allow for the expansion).
- Never wait until you’re nearly out of fuel to order your propane! Contact us when your gauge reads no less than 25 percent full.
Skip The Hassles: Choose Auto-Fill From Cherry Energy
Of course, you could avoid the hassle of gauge gazing by letting Cherry Energy manage your propane supply with FREE Auto-Fill. If you’re not familiar with Auto-Fill, here’s how it works:
- Our delivery teams will estimate how much fuel you’re likely to use based on your past bills and the current weather (if you have recently become a Cherry Energy customer, we’ll estimate based on local averages for a home your size).
- Your delivery will be scheduled when your tank is about one-quarter full.
- With Auto-Fill, we’ll manage your propane deliveries and scheduling to help you prevent an unexpected run-out. You’ll also get priority service over Will Call customers – a benefit that can really come in handy during unpredictable weather.
Drastically reduce your risk a propane run-out with FREE Auto-Fill from Cherry Energy. Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule your propane delivery!
Among home energy sources, propane gas has one of the best safety records around. But like any fuel that you use inside your home, you need to take precautions when dealing with propane or propane appliances – and know what to do, quickly, if a problem arises.
Tips For Using Propane Safely
Here are some important propane safety reminders for the winter months to come.
- Make sure all adults in your home know how to shut the valve on your main propane storage tank in case of emergency. If you don’t know how to do this, contact us – we’ll walk you through it.
- Make everyone in the house – including your children – knows how to detect a propane leak – and what to do if you think you have one.
- Prevent potentially dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) problems by:
- If severe weather is forecast,
- make sure you have enough propane gas to last at least a week in case of road closures; if you don’t, schedule a propane delivery as soon as possible.
- flag your propane tank so that the fill valve is visible and accessible in high or drifting snow.
- if your propane equipment has been damaged or is not working properly, contact us right away. Remember: if you shut down your gas for any reason, the law requires you to hire a licensed professional to restart you system.
For more winter propane safety tips, visit the Propane Education Research Council (PERC) website.
Stay safe this winter – contact Cherry Energy if you have any questions about propane safety, or if you need reliable propane deliveries in the North Carolina!
