Home

Palmer Gas and Ermer Oil

Serving your New Hampshire Community since 1932

Serving your Propane and Oil needs for generations...

...with Integrity, Trust, and Value

Pilot's Tips
Water Heating

Never cover exhaust hoods with any clothing or anything else. Doing so can cause the products of combustion to back into the home causing problems. When planting shrubs or flowers stay at least 2 feet from exhaust hoods-plants will not survive. Water softeners and idle water heaters eliminate chlorine and increase bacteria in the water supply, accelerating the formation of hydrogen sulfide gas-the “rotten egg smell”.

If water heater starts leaking:

1. Turn off the cold water supply going into the water heater (located above the heater).
2. Turn off gas or electric supply to the water heater.
3. Contact our office for service or replacement.

Drying

Always retain and read the owners manual. Gas dryers must be vented to the outside using metal vents, plastic vents will melt and should be replaced. Remove lint from the outside termination hood in the spring and fall to ensure your damper is closing to keep bugs, etc. out and to make sure it is venting. Make sure new dryers come with a conversion kit for LP gas (all appliances are built for natural gas). Keep area clean and caps on all cleaning agents.

Cooking

Always retain and read owners manual. Make sure new appliance has a conversion kit for LP gas. For appliances with electronic controls, don’t spray cleaner on backguard; the controls will short out. Clean spills immediately to prevent flame ports from clogging. Don’t use abrasive cleaners on enamel.

Outdoor Gas Grills

Most gas grills can be connected directly to the house tank-no more hassles with 20lb tanks. Always clean grill, especially the burners, at the beginning of each season and as needed after. Spiders and other insects get inside the burners and cause problems. Remember take care of the complete grill and it will last longer. Covers are recommended when not in use.

Pool Heating

Before lighting anything, inspect thoroughly for nests, leaves, debris on top and under burners, that will catch fire and cause costly repairs. If you have used moth balls to keep rodents out during the winter, remove before the initial lighting. Pool heaters will not fire with low water level, air in the water filter system, clogged pump filters. Always maintain manufacturers clearances to combustible materials i.e. building wood fences or sheds next to the heater. Don’t store pool chemicals near the pool heater. When closing heater down for the season, mothballs in the burner compartment will keep rodents from nesting in your heater for the winter.

Whole House Heating

Make sure air filters are cleaned, have oil heating equipment cleaned yearly. Become familiar with correct equipment operations (sounds, how often normal run is, etc.) Propane and fuel oil heating equipment needs 50 cubic feet per 1,000 BTUs per hour of combustion air to operate efficiently. Not enough air causes costly repairs due to soot, etc.. Propane heating equipment should be serviced every 3 years.

Space Heating/Hearth Products

Remember, space heaters are designed for supplemental heating, especially good for power outages. Never dry clothes or other materials on heaters. Don’t sit on the heaters. Space heaters should be serviced every 3 years or if any problems arise. Many hearth products can be run directly by a thermostat, rather than manually operating. Unvented products must be approved by the town in which you reside before purchasing. If you have a chimney that doesn't work well with wood, gas logs will not operate properly. All hearth products must have lined chimneys.

General Propane

It is not necessary to clean gas heating equipment each year. However, a gas check should be done every 3 years. All appliances in garages must be 18” off the floor. Propane equipment is designed to operate at specific pressures for maximum efficiency. This is why gas check is vital. Adding appliances without increasing line size could reduce operating efficiency. Manufacturers instructions must be followed when installing any gas appliance. There are many rules as to where and how appliances can be installed; always have a certified propane person give you an estimate before you purchase. Propane gas is very clean, efficient and safe. But, like any petroleum product, it must be handled and installed properly. Our goal is to educate all our customers to enjoy the benefits of propane. Remember to always retain and read the instructions manual for all your equipment.