If you want to get all the benefits that propane has to offer, but don’t want the responsibility of owning your own propane tank, consider leasing a propane tank from Becks Propane.
Many of us lease cars, houses, and apartments, and you can do the same thing with a propane tank. Leasing a propane tank from Becks Propane comes with quite a few advantages, including:
Many of our customers also qualify for free tank leasing. Additionally, new customers receive a special first-fill discount on their fuel and can qualify for complimentary price cap protection for an introductory period.
Clearly, Becks Propane does the majority of the heavy lifting when it comes to propane tanks. However, homeowners need to pitch in a little bit to help keep their tanks in good shape.
Here is what you can do to maintain and care for your propane tank:
Becks Propane will work with you to find the best size propane tank for your home here in the Central Michigan area. Once you pick one, we will install it, connect it, and do all the necessary safety testing.
Our main aboveground tank sizes are:
Contact Becks Propane today to start receiving the reliable propane services your Mid-Michigan home needs.
While propane technically is a gas, the energy source is not identical to or interchangeable with natural gas.
They do burn at the same temperature, however. Both propane and natural gas burn at a temperature of 3,560 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though their burning temperature is the same, propane produces more energy within a single unit than natural gas does. One cubic foot of propane produces about 2,520 British thermal units, or Btus, of heat. Natural gas, on the other hand, only produces about 1,012 Btus per cubic foot.
Let’s take a look at some more facts about propane and how the energy source differs from natural gas.
Natural gas and propane can be used for many of the same applications. However, there are differences when it comes to how effective the two fuels are.
Here are two specific examples:
Becks Propane provides propane services all throughout Central Michigan. This includes fuel deliveries, tank installations, and tank monitoring services. We offer a free Automatic Delivery service as well as flexible pricing and payment options.
Contact Becks Propane today to learn more about the propane services we offer throughout the Central Michigan area.
Both commercial propane and natural gas have a wide range of applications and uses. Both fuels can power appliances and be used for heating and cooking purposes. However, they are not the same and are not interchangeable.
There happen to be multiple categories and areas where commercial propane and natural gas differ. Understanding these differences can help both business owners and homeowners choose the right fuel for their needs and their equipment.
Becks Propane breaks down some of the differences between the two fuels below.
Natural gas is primarily methane. Sometimes its composition includes a little bit of butane, ethane and other hydrocarbons.
Propane is made from both natural gas and petroleum and is a byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining. It can be either in liquid or gas form.
Propane outperforms natural gas when it comes to efficiency and energy production. In fact, compared to natural gas, propane produces 2.5 times the amount of usable energy from a single unit.
Natural gas is distributed to a home or business via a pipeline. If your business or home doesn’t have access to a main pipeline, using natural gas can be a bit of a challenge.
When you use propane, a tank is installed on your own property. This gives you energy independence, which is quite convenient for people who don’t live or work near a main gas line.
The energy independence that comes along with using commercial propane is also helpful if and when the power on your worksite goes out. All your propane-powered appliances and equipment will still be able to function as normal, and productivity won’t be impacted.
If you are hooked up to a main natural gas pipeline, this may not necessarily be the case.
When it comes to being environmentally friendly and reducing a carbon footprint, commercial propane is the clear winner compared to natural gas. Propane produces fewer carbon emissions per unit of energy, is clean burning and is non-toxic. It is actually recognized as a clean and green fuel by the Clean Air Act as well as the Environmental Protection Act.
Propane is considered to be an incredibly versatile fuel. When it comes to commercial applications, propane can fuel forklifts, heat a worksite, warm the water on a worksite and power the cooktops and grills that are used in commercial kitchens.
Using propane is also a great way to power a backup generator that your school, grocery store, health care facility, hotel, nursing home or office building needs to stay up and running in the event of a blackout.
Propane autogas is also quickly becoming a popular fuel choice for fleet managers who need to fuel multiple buses, trucks, shuttles or cars.
Restaurants, warehouses, construction sites and landscaping companies here in Central Michigan can count on Becks Propane for the commercial propane they need to keep operations moving. Our team can set up commercial-grade propane tanks on your worksite and create a fuel delivery schedule that is specific to your company’s needs.
Contact the team here at Becks Propane today and let us know how we can help with your commercial propane needs.
No matter what size propane tank you may be using at your home or on your worksite here in Central Michigan, proper storage should be at the forefront of your mind.
Storing a propane tank correctly helps reduce the risk of both leaks and accidents, which is paramount to your safety. A properly stored tank also lasts longer and functions better than a tank that isn’t stored properly. Additionally, properly storing your fuel tank helps ensure you are meeting and following the manufacturer’s guidelines as well as local safety protocols.
Clearly, proper propane tank storage isn’t something to brush off and take lightly. But what exactly does this look like? Becks Propane breaks it all down for you below.
Large propane tanks should be professionally installed either above ground or underground.
Underground tanks are appealing to some home and business owners because they are hidden from view. They are also protected from extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow. The fact that they do not take up aboveground space is another selling point for underground tanks.
Aboveground propane tanks are generally cheaper to install, easier to inspect and easier to service seeing as they are more accessible.
One of propane’s many benefits is that it does not expire. Therefore, if you use a propane grill, generator, space heater or patio heater, you may keep extra portable tanks around that need a safe place to go until they are ready to be used.
Your storage area for portable propane tanks should be outside in a well-ventilated area that is out of direct sunlight. Tanks should be kept upright on a flat and level surface. You can keep them dry and help prevent rust by putting them on a concrete slab instead of directly on the ground. A designated propane tank storage space should be a safe distance away from any potential sources of ignition.
Using a cover for the propane tanks that you are storing helps protect them from inclement weather, which reduces wear and tear and helps increase their lifespan.
Properly maintaining your propane tanks is just as important as safely storing them. Routine maintenance keeps a propane system operating effectively and safely. You want a professional to inspect your propane tank and check all connections and components on a yearly basis.
Home and business owners should monitor their fuel levels, unless they have a propane tank monitor from Becks Propane, and should keep an eye out for visible damage, rust and leaks.
Becks Propane is here to help homeowners in the Central Michigan area with propane tank leases, installations and monitoring services. We carry 250-gallon, 330-gallon and 500-gallon aboveground tanks.
You can also count on us for the fuel your propane-powered equipment needs to stay up and running.
Contact Becks Propane today to start receiving propane services from a company that you can truly count on.
When customers come to us looking for a one-stop-shop fuel that can tackle everything from heating a home, to warming water, to powering a backup power generator do you know what we recommend? Propane.
Propane is a natural co-product of natural gas extraction and the oil refining process. Among other things, the alternative energy source is versatile, reliable, efficient and eco-friendly.
Millions of Americans use propane everyday in a multitude of different ways. It is such a popular fuel choice both here in Central Michigan and beyond, in part, because of its versatility and sustainability.
Propane has a long list of applications in both residential and commercial settings. In addition to being a popular fuel choice among homeowners it is also commonly used in hotels, restaurants, commercial buildings, retail stores, grocery stores, warehouses and distribution centers, as well as on farms and construction sites.
Propane can:
Propane is considered a green, clean and environmentally friendly fuel choice. In fact, it is classified as an alternative fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act, as well as the 1992 National Energy Policy.
Compared to electricity, propane emits fewer greenhouse gases. It also has a lower carbon footprint than both traditional gasoline and diesel fuel and is non-toxic.
Although it is not widely used yet, renewable propane is making the propane industry even greener. Renewable propane is sourced from animal oils, plant oils and used cooking oil and grease – materials that would most likely go to waste if they were not used for this specific purpose. Renewable propane also has a much lower carbon intensity compared to traditional propane.
In addition to being known for its versatility and sustainability, propane is also known for being efficient. Here are some specific examples:
If you are ready to receive all the advantages that propane has to offer, Becks Propane can help. Our fuel delivery service is top-tier and when weather conditions get tough we have a team on call 24 hours a day. We also offer propane tank and monitoring services.
Becks Propane is here to help Central Michigan residents and business owners reap the rewards of propane’s efficiency, convenience and affordability.
Contact Becks Propane today to become one of our many happy propane customers.
The fact that commercial propane is so versatile is just one of many qualities the fuel has that makes it attractive to business owners. In addition to being environmentally friendly, efficient, safe, reliable and convenient, the alternative energy source has so many different uses.
Commercial propane is commonly used on farms and construction sites, in the hospitality industry as well as in health care facilities warehouses, distribution centers and recycling centers.
Let’s take a deeper dive into some of commercial propane’s applications and the different industries that are using the fuel to help their businesses thrive.
Farms, construction sites, grocery stores, warehouses, manufacturing companies, distribution centers and recycling centers all rely on forklifts to get the most basic of tasks done.
Propane-powered forklifts are beneficial for many reasons. They can handle both heavy loads of materials and tough weather conditions such as rain and snow. Electric forklifts slowly lose power as their batteries start dying. However, propane-powered forklifts operate at 100% power until the very last drop of fuel is gone from their cylinders. The refueling process is quick and simple and doesn’t require hours of recharging time – something that electric forklifts require.
Commercial propane can power a central heating system in an office building or a retail store or a space heater that is used as a temporary heating solution on a construction site.
The agricultural industry uses commercial propane to heat livestock barns, hatcheries and greenhouses.
Hotels and restaurants also have the option of adding propane-powered space heaters to their outdoor areas to help their customers and guests stay toasty and comfortable.
Additionally, it can warm the water that is needed for employees to wash their hands and for restaurants and hotels to do dirty dishes and laundry.
In addition to powering forklifts, commercial propane can also power a wide range of machinery and equipment such as irrigation equipment, landscaping equipment, flame-weeders, welding equipment, scissor-lifts, asphalt heaters, concrete grinders and floor buffers.
Chefs in restaurants, hotels and food trucks rely on commercial propane-powered cooking ranges and grills to prepare the meals that they need to make. Cooking gets done faster on a range that runs on propane and a propane-powered grill provides precise temperature control, which helps ensure a smooth cooking process.
Schools, grocery stores, office buildings, health care facilities, nursing homes, restaurants and hotels all need a reliable backup power supply. You can find this with a propane-powered backup generator. This piece of equipment can keep your systems operational and your business up and running.
More and more fleet managers are using propane autogas to fuel their vehicles. This helps lower the amount of emissions a vehicle produces and helps a vehicle’s engine last longer.
No matter what you are using commercial propane for Becks Propane can help. We provide fuel to all sorts of businesses and worksites throughout Central Michigan.
Our team can set up commercial-grade propane tanks on your worksite and create a propane delivery schedule that is specific to you and your business’s fuel needs.
Contact Becks Propane today to learn more about the commercial propane services we offer throughout Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee and Clinton Counties here in Michigan.
Installing a propane tank on your property allows you to power a limitless number of appliances with propane. From heating, to cooking, to warming water, to powering a backup generator – propane can handle and do it all!
However, if you run out of propane or if your supply gets too low your propane-powered appliances and equipment will be non-operational. Depending on what exactly you use propane for that could leave you without heat, hot water or a way to cook. This is a massive inconvenience and, depending on the exact circumstance, can even be a safety hazard.
This is part of why it is so important to manage your fuel supply accurately and know how to correctly read the gauge on your propane tank.
Most propane tanks come with a gauge. Two common types of gauges are digital and analog.
Analog gauges are usually under a tank’s dome at the very top. You should see numbers around the edge that are in numeric order and a single needle in the middle. This needle will line up with a number and that number indicates how much propane is in your tank in a percentage.
Digital gauges have a float that rises and falls with a tank’s propane level. They usually use modern technology to measure fuel levels.
Reading the gauge on your propane tank and tracking your own propane levels requires you to regularly trek out to your propane tank (although some digital gauges can be read remotely). This can be a bit of a pain, especially during the winter here in the Central Michigan area. Not to mention you have to remember to actually do this – a task that isn’t always easy when you’re juggling so much.
Becks Propane has good news though. We can take care of tracking your fuel levels for you.
All of our customers who sign up for our Automatic Delivery option receive a free wireless propane tank monitor. This is a device that sends us real-time data on your current propane levels. We then use this data to schedule your next fuel delivery. There is truly nothing that you, as a customer, need to do!
Customers who aren’t enrolled in our Automatic Delivery service can still get fuel from us. Just contact us when your tank is 30% full to set up your next delivery.
Tracking your fuel levels (or having Becks Propane do this for you) is just part of taking care of your propane tank. To properly maintain your tank you should also:
Homeowners here in Central Michigan who are looking for reliable propane tank services can find them here at Becks Propane. We offer tank leasing options, installations and tank monitoring services.
Contact Becks Propane today and let us know how we can help with your propane tank needs.
Here at Becks Propane we have worked tirelessly on perfecting the propane delivery services we offer our customers here in the Central Michigan area. As a result of this hard work, we created our Automatic Delivery service.
Customers who opt into this service receive a free propane tank monitor – a device that allows both the customer and Becks Propane to monitor fuel levels in real time and schedule a delivery accordingly. This completely eliminates the need for you to trek out to your tank to get its latest gauge reading, which is a huge plus during those cold winter months we get hit with. Not only that, but there is no additional cost to this service!
Of course we also offer a “will-call” option where a customer can contact us to set up his or her next propane delivery. This leaves you with a certain amount of responsibility, including knowing how to track your fuel levels and plan for your fuel deliveries.
If you are a will-call customer, you may find yourself asking this very question. There are a few factors that play into the answer.
The bottom line is that you should contact Becks Propane for your next fuel order when your gauge reads around 30% full. However, everyone reaches this 30% point at different speeds.
Propane consumption and usage varies from household to household. It can even vary within a household from month to month. Exactly how often you will need a propane delivery is impacted by multiple factors, including:
As we said, we recommend that will-call customers get in touch with us when their tanks hit the 30% mark. But how do you know when you have reached this point? Well, you have to know how to read your propane tank’s gauge.
Your tank’s gauge can usually be found under the lid of the dome on the very top. Your gauge should have numbers that go in numerical order around the edge and a needle in the center. This needle will line up with one of the numbers and that number will indicate how much propane is left in your tank in a percentage.
It doesn’t matter if you are one of our will-call customers or if you opt into our Automatic Delivery service – Becks Propane can get your Central Michigan area home the propane it needs when you need it.
Contact Becks Propane today to become one of our propane customers.
There are numerous ways that a business here in Central Michigan can use commercial propane. The energy source is a great option for fueling forklifts on a farm or in a warehouse, powering space heaters that are needed as a temporary heat source on a construction site, keeping the engines of buses, shuttles and other vehicle fleets up and running and powering cooking ranges, outdoor heaters and fire pits that are used in restaurants and throughout the hospitality industry.
No matter what the specifics are when it comes to how you are using commercial propane, it becomes something that you have to add into a budget.
Many business owners are always on the lookout for ways that they can cut down on their expenses and help out their bottom line. Becks Propane is happy to share that there happen to be some fairly simple ways to reduce costs when it comes to your commercial propane usage. Keep reading to find out exactly what they are.
It could be very worth your time to sit down and evaluate exactly how your business is using fuel. Look into your usage patterns to see if there is any excessive fuel consumption or unnecessary waste. You can use smart meters and sensors to help with this. They provide real-time data on your company’s fuel usage, which you can then use to improve the management of commercial propane-powered systems.
You can also evaluate your actual equipment to see how efficient it is. A less efficient or older piece of equipment will most likely need and use more fuel, which will increase costs.
Cutting down on fuel costs comes down to optimizing your commercial propane system. This involves a few different moving pieces.
The efficiency of your equipment is a big part of this, which we mentioned above. In addition to checking on your equipment yourself you also want to invest in routine professional maintenance that checks for leaks and damage and involves a thorough cleaning. These routine servicing appointments are the best way to make sure your commercial propane-powered equipment is in optimal shape.
Additionally, you want to make sure that your commercial propane-powered system matches and fits your needs. If you have a system that is too big for your needs it is going to use an unnecessary amount of fuel and energy, which will result in higher costs.
Finding a commercial propane supplier that provides bulk orders of fuel like Becks Propane can also help you save significantly on fuel costs.
If routine maintenance appointments aren’t helping to optimize your equipment and you are noticing that things aren’t working as effectively as they once were it could be time for an upgrade. Yes, this may require you to shell out a large sum of money up front, but you will save money and reduce costs in the long term when you upgrade to modern energy-efficient equipment.
Becks Propane provides countless businesses throughout the Central Michigan area with commercial propane.
Contact us today to learn more about our commercial propane services as well as our affordable fuel prices.
If you have a propane tank on your property here in Central Michigan taking care of it properly is of the utmost importance. Doing so can help prevent leaks, corrosion and other damage that may lead to serious and dangerous problems. Not only is proper maintenance a safety issue, but it also helps a tank operate more efficiently and effectively. This helps your appliances as well as your utility bills.
Considering just how important it is to take care of your propane tank, don’t you think you should be well versed in doing so? Here at Becks Propane we certainly think so. That is why we have put together the below maintenance checklist for your propane tank.
Following the below tips and suggestions will help ensure that your propane tank is in the best shape possible:
Becks Propane is here to help homeowners in the Central Michigan area with their propane tanks. We offer propane tank leasing options, installations and tank monitoring services.
Becks Propane also makes fuel deliveries throughout the Greater Lansing Michigan area. As mentioned earlier, we even have an Automatic Delivery option for added convenience.
Contact Becks Propane today to partner with us on all your propane tank and propane tank needs.