Dear Friends,
The memory of going through the worst wildfires in our state’s history last year remains fresh, and many communities are still recovering from their devastating effects. Now experts are warning that the frequency of wildfires could be even higher this season.
As part of its efforts to prevent wildfires, PG&E has begun proactive public-safety power shutoffs in times when there is a high risk of sparking a wildfire in specific areas.
These shutoffs will be triggered by a variety of circumstances, including red-flag warnings from the National Weather Service, humidity levels below 20%, and forecasts of sustained high winds and wind gusts. Residents who aren’t in the immediate area of a fire threat may still be affected by a power outage if the power lines pass through their property.
These new precautionary power shutdowns will drive demand up even higher for whole-house propane backup generators. If you’re thinking of installing one, we can take care of everything. We’ll help you select the right size when you purchase one from us and then we’ll handle the installation. Afterward, we’ll keep your generator well maintained and make sure you always have enough propane.
If you already have a propane generator, see our article for advice on making sure that it is ready to go.
Remember, we are always here for you, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have about your comfort and safety. Please call us or contact us through our website.
Warmly,
Dustin Kaiser
Vice President
If You Have to Evacuate…
Wildfires can affect anyone, at any time, and you may have only minutes to react. If you need to evacuate your home because of an approaching fire, remember these tips:
- Close your propane tank’s service valve by turning the handwheel clockwise.
- Close all gas and appliance valves inside the house.
- Move propane cylinders away from any house or structure and away from vegetation. Do not move propane cylinders indoors.
- Let us know that you have left, and also let us know when you go back home. If you smell gas upon your return, leave the area immediately, then call us.
Many of our customers have given up their landlines but didn’t remember to give us their cell phone number. This means we don’t have a current phone number on file.
It’s important for us to be able to reach you during weather emergencies or to confirm appointments. (We can do this with a text alert if you prefer.) Please give us a call to make sure our records are up to date so that we can reach you.
You can also send us your updated information by filling out our form here.
This is always a busy season for us in terms of community events. We enjoyed seeing some of you at the Napa Town & Country Fair, which ran from August 7 to 11. Visitors got to see demonstrations of a few of our products, including camping gear and backyard grills.
We were also once again a proud sponsor of Harvest Stomp, which took place on August 24.
We hope your summer has been a safe and happy one!
Propane is a remarkably safe fuel!
But sometimes, people may be tempted to cut corners and fail to follow proper safety guidelines. To help prevent some common mistakes, we’ve included important safety reminders.
Leave any repairs to us
It’s always tempting to save a few bucks by doing as many home repairs as possible. However, your to-do list should never include work on any gas appliance. That’s true whether it’s a stove, a dryer, a water heater or a furnace. Those are jobs that should always be left to a professional!
Every year, a few explosions occur because nonprofessionals try to make repairs on gas appliances in their homes.
Please! Do not under any circumstances try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls or other appliance or cylinder/ tank parts. An improperly connected tank or appliance can cause a gas leak. If you want to move your tank, leave that to us.
As you can guess, gas appliances are complicated. That’s why we invest a great deal of time and money on training our technicians — to be sure they are prepared to diagnose and fix virtually any type of propane appliance in your home.
So if your gas appliance needs a repair, the only “tool” you should pick up is the phone. One of our certified and highly trained technicians will come to your home, size up the situation and get your appliance safely repaired.
And if you plan to add more propane appliances to your home, please call us so our experts can ensure that your new equipment is installed properly.
IF you smell propane…
If you smell gas, don’t take any chances. After only the quickest glance at the on/off knobs on your stove (to see if that’s the source of the problem), open a window or two as you rapidly exit the house with your family. Do not smoke or operate lights, appliances, telephones or cell phones. Go to a safe location where you can report the problem to us.
You should also call 911 to report the leak.
safety tips for the grilling season
- Use your grill only in well-ventilated areas — never inside a garage or on a covered patio. Your grill should also be placed away from any low-hanging tree branches.
- Make sure the grill is clean, in order to prevent flare-ups. Also check hoses for kinks or any deterioration.
- Keep the cover open until you are sure the grill is lit — even if you have an electronic ignition.
- When you’re finished, make sure to turn off the burner control and close the cylinder valve.
- Propane cylinders should always be kept in an upright (vertical) position when stored or transported.
- When refilling or replacing your tank, transport it in a well-ventilated or air-conditioned area of your vehicle — not the trunk — and bring it home immediately.
- When taking your tank to be refilled, check for dents, rust or leaks.
- Always store propane cylinders outdoors — not in a garage or a shed.
5 ways we look after you
- Always there for you.
Our staff is ready to respond with fast service whenever you need us. We always have enough drivers and trucks, and our vehicles are maintained properly, so we can get to you no matter what the weather conditions are. - Training and more training.
We invest in ongoing and extensive training for our employees. This ensures that when we do work for you, we get the job done right the first time. Our training program also means you will get accurate information and a courteous response from our office staff. - Honest and fair pricing.
Some companies will quote you one price on the phone, but as soon as they install a tank, they surprise you by tacking big fees on to their delivery bill. We never play that type of game! - Convenient payment options.
We understand that heating bills can be a big burden, so we offer flexible payment options for qualified customers to lighten the load for you during the winter. - Secure fuel supply.
We have never been without fuel, so we are always able to take care of our customers.
Allied Propane Service is pleased to introduce two new members of our team.
Dave Whitmer
Dave joined Allied in the role of corporate-development and public-affairs executive, a new position.
A lifetime Napa resident and a retired Napa County commissioner/sealer of weights and measures, Dave brings extensive experience to the job.
“Dave’s many years as a leader in both the business and the agricultural communities of Napa and Sonoma Counties will be an asset,” says Stan Teaderman, the president of Allied. “His expertise in agricultural areas will help us better guide our customers who are pursuing cost-effective clean-energy solutions. We are honored to welcome this truly extraordinary person to the team.”
Currently, Dave is the chair of the Sustainable Napa County board of directors and serves on the Napa County Community Housing board.
“I’m excited to be working with Stan Teaderman, and to be involved with a local business that makes such a positive difference in our communities,” Dave says.
Robert Brasiel
Robert joined Allied Propane as our chief financial officer (CFO) last summer, and brings with him nearly two decades of experience in diverse industries. Most recently, he served as the CFO of an industrial security company.
“His experience with field-service management, electronic timekeeping, and inventory management, as well as his strong project-management skills, made him an ideal fit for our multifaceted business,” says Stan Teaderman. “We are extremely happy to have someone with Robert’s level of expertise on our team.”
To ensure that your generator will step in when the power goes out, follow these tips:
Check your fuel gauge. Make sure your generator has enough propane to get you through at least a week without power. Impassable roads or other emergency conditions could delay deliveries.
Test your generator. Run the equipment through a 20– to 30–minute test every three months. Power it up to a full load and correct any problems. These test runs help keep parts lubricated.
Follow recommended maintenance guidelines. Maintenance is the key to reliable generator performance, and annual service is a must.