If you were to mention off-grid living, most people think of “roughing it outdoors.” But today, an off-grid lifestyle can include every convenience of modern living, thanks to the versatility and efficiency of propane gas.
If you’ve relied on a whole-house generator to get through extended outages, you’re probably not too surprised by this fact. Propane is clean-burning and abundant—90% of the United States’ supply of propane is domestically generated—making it a cost-effective home energy solution that can help lower energy bills whether you’re living on- or off-grid.
Rural North Carolina is beautiful and building in a remote location can be desirable for all kinds of reasons. However, connecting to electric and natural gas can cost thousands of dollars. Propane can be safely stored on your property, right in a tank. Combined with other alternative and renewable energy sources like solar, propane can transform off-grid living from extreme to extremely comfortable. Here’s how:
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. Also, propane appliances are very efficient, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process.
In addition to heating, propane is extremely efficient for powering a wide variety of gas appliances. When it comes to cooking, most chefs prefer the control that comes with a gas range. And propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon.
In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
The same technology that makes propane ideal for water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat:
For off-grid living, a propane-powered whole house generator provides the reliability and security other people get from the grid. A generator will kick on seamlessly when your solar or wind power is depleted—no glitchy flickering, no brownouts. And, for those who are connected to the main grid but experience frequent outages due to storms, a whole-house generator can make the wait for utility-line repairs less of a hassle.
Another factor that makes propane so reliable, on-grid or off, is that you store your supply right on your property.
Rand Wade offers propane storage tanks of all sizes, including commercial-capacity tanks. We can help evaluate your needs—based on the size of your home, and how many appliances you want to run—and help you choose the right size tank. From permits to lighting your pilots after your first fill-up, we’ll make tank installation easy. We also offer automatic delivery service to help ensure you always have enough propane!
When it comes to environmental impact, propane gas is a good choice. It burns cleanly and produces minimal emissions. Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater—an important factor in determining whether a fuel is truly “green.” Propane is also an American energy source, most of which comes from the processing of natural gas.
Maybe you’re building your dream home or a vacation hideaway well off the beaten path. Or maybe you’ve experienced extended outages due to an out-of-the-way location and utilities that tend to restore more populated areas first. Maybe you just want to add a back-up generator to your propane-fueled home system. Whatever your goals and needs, the pros at Rand Wade can answer all your questions!
Contact us today for more information or to become a customer.
If you own a commercial business here in North Carolina, your customers count on you to get the job done day in and day out. And YOU can count on Rand Wade for all the commercial fuels you need!
When it comes to providing the most dependable commercial fuel service in Greene County North Carolina and surrounding areas, we’ve got you covered.
We aim to keep your team on the road and on the job. We offer on- and off-road fuels and competitive prices to help you keep your vehicles rolling. Our commercial diesel fuels run equipment like tractors and commercial mowers, as well as delivery vans, construction vehicles and more.
We also deliver premium heating oil for agricultural and commercial operations. Heating oil burns hotter than other fuels, delivering more heat per BTU—and higher efficiency. It’s ideal for heating barns, tobacco farms and poultry houses.
When it comes to commercial propane services, we deliver here too! We also refill all sizes of propane cylinders—great for food trucks, as well as forklifts and other industrial equipment.
Don’t forget to ask about propane tank leasing and sales, including up to 1,000-gallon tanks ideal for commercial or industrial applications. We’ll be happy to help you determine the best size for your needs, and professionally install and maintain your tank.
Here are just a few of the commercial businesses we serve:
We offer nearly half a century of experience working with businesses all over our service area. As a result, we are known for our customer service and a real understanding of your needs, whether you’re an institution, school district or municipality. It’s the kind of personal, high-level service that you just won’t get from a big national company with corporate headquarters in another state.
At Rand Wade, we get it: Managing your fleet fueling and other commercial diesel fuel needs is a full-time job. That’s why we remain committed to providing these businesses with the most dependable commercial fuel service in the area. Not only that, but we also have fair, transparent pricing for our commercial fuels so there are never any unwanted surprises.
Contact us today for more information.
With fuel prices continuing to inch up across the board, it’s hard not to think about how to manage winter heating costs, even in the middle of summer.
We know paying those bigger heating bills is a worry for many folks. That’s why lots of Rand Wade customers are signing up for our heating fuel payment program. Even when fuel costs are low, it’s a popular option for customers who heat their home with propane, because it keeps your bills level and manageable. But enrollment closes at the end of July—so now’s the time to sign up!
We use an average based on your past fuel use to spread your costs evenly throughout the year, helping to cut your winter bills nearly in half…and making it easier for you to plan your expenses month-to-month. As a result, our heating fuel payment plan is a smart way to manage winter propane costs and avoid unexpected high invoices!
What’s even better? It doesn’t matter how cold it gets or how much fuel you use! Even if we have a particularly cold winter or prices continue to rise, we’ll help adjust your payments, so you don’t get hit with a large balance in the summer. Likewise, if it’s a mild winter, we can adjust and reduce your payments. The point is to help you save while avoiding big fluctuations or large lump sum payments.
Even if you prefer to pay as you go, you’ll still enjoy Rand Wade’s always competitive prices along with reliable propane delivery and more. No matter what happens with prices next winter, we will work with you to help you keep costs manageable.
But, if you’d like to sign up for our Budget Plan, don’t delay! Contact us today to learn about all the ways we can help you save.
If your traditional tank-style water heater is inching closer to the decade mark of usage, you should probably begin thinking about its replacement. Signs that it’s time to update your water heater may include higher energy bills and water that just isn’t getting quite as hot.
Truth be told, your water heater works incredibly hard for you. Bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, and other tasks add up to between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day for the typical American family. That nonstop workload takes a toll! It’s why the life expectancy for a conventional water heater with a tank is between eight and 10 years.
So, if you think it’s time to start shopping for a new water heater, you should consider a tankless water heater.
Imagine having virtually unlimited hot water, while seeing lower fuel bills. It’s possible, with a high-efficiency tankless water heater. Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless propane water heaters instantly heat water when you need it—so “on demand”—rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time.
Rand Wade offers a full selection of tankless water heaters from an industry renown brand, Rinnai, which include whole-house models to smaller versions that can be installed where they are needed to generate hot water for a home addition or for a spa tub, for example.
Although they save you money in the long run, tankless water heaters are typically more expensive to buy and install upfront, even if they’ll recoup that in savings in the long un. In addition, they require a little maintenance, particularly if you have hard water. Deposits and minerals can reduce performance and efficiency if you don’t flush the tank at least once a year and clean the filters.
A traditional tank-style water heater is inexpensive to replace but costs a lot more to operate. And it can’t really deliver enough hot water for more than two or three showers in a row, assuming no one is washing dishes or using hot water for anything else.
Additionally, if your home has a basement, space may not be an issue. But if you don’t have a basement, that big tank uses a lot of valuable real estate in your home. Imagine what you could do with that closet space if you could eliminate your water heater tank.
Whether you decide to stick with a traditional tank-style water heater or update with a highly efficient tankless model, don’t wait for your water heater to fail to replace it! Like other essential equipment in your home, such as your refrigerator, you don’t want to go long without it. A lukewarm shower is no way to start your day. Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new water heater!
If you want to learn more about the benefits of tankless water heaters, talk to the pros at Rand Wade Oil. We can help you choose the best option for your needs—and help you take advantage of valuable rebates from Rinnai. Contact us for details today.
When you’re shopping around for a propane provider, there’s a lot to consider. National chains have slick advertising, but the headquarters are often several states away—as is the person answering the phone. The discount dealers have rock-bottom prices, but don’t offer much else.
Rand Wade hits the sweet spot. We’ve been around for more than 50 years and when it comes to safe, reliable propane delivery, we do the best job because we’re your neighbors, too! We know where you’re calling from, whether it’s a back road or a main street, a home, a farm or a business.
Here are five reasons why choosing local just makes the most sense:
Our office is located right here in Snow Hill. We deliver propane and oil throughout Greene, Lenoir, Pitt, Wayne, Wilson, Craven, and Jones Counties in North Carolina.
There’s a lot of things we can’t control—such as the weather, and the price of fuel. But we can do our best to make every one of our customers feel important and confident, like a neighbor, not a client. It’s how we’ve built our business and how we plan to keep it. Contact us today and let us know how we can help.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard from several folks with concerns about the surge in fuel prices. To put things into perspective, prices were already up more than a dollar this past winter season from the previous year because of issues related to the pandemic. Now, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions have shocked the energy markets. Crude oil rocketed to more than $120 per barrel at one point in early March.
Everyone is astounded by how much prices have risen, and how fast. To give you a sense of this of how this affects both of us, on March 2, we received notice from our suppliers that their prices were going up 20 cents the next day. Then, on March 3, they went up again—three more times—a total of 60 cents in just 24 hours.
We’ve also heard from customers concerned that there will be interruptions in supply that will cause them to run out of fuel. We want you to rest assured that Rand Wade Oil will never let you run out. We’ve been in business for over fifty years and have the experience and understanding of the fuel markets to plan in terms of supply. What’s more is that we have excellent, longstanding relationships with our suppliers and financial partners.
While fuel markets are always subject to fluctuation and can be extremely volatile at their worst, at this stage it’s hard to know where exactly things will go over the coming months. The main thing we can tell you is that we hate this as much as you do. Some people believe that when prices rise, we make more money. The opposite is true. People cut back on usage. They have trouble paying their bills and our receivables skyrocket. Yet our suppliers still expect us to pay in just 10 days. It becomes a bit of a mess for everyone.
In fact, we are already getting calls from customers who are with other companies in the area who can’t say the same, and who are unable to get deliveries for nearly 20 days out. You don’t have to worry about that with us!
If you’re having trouble paying your bill, talk to us. Many of you have been with us for a long time, and we will always try to work to give you more time. Also, now is a good time to ask us about our available payment plans. They’re designed to help you keep bills manageable, and enrollment for next year will be opening soon!
Rand Wade Oil is your local family-owned fuel and propane company in Greene County, North Carolina. We have been delivering oil and propane to homes and businesses throughout the region since our founding in 1971. Our drivers are trained to deliver your fuel promptly and safely; our technicians are certified experts; all our employees are committed to your total satisfaction.
When stories about gas leaks make the evening news, it can make it sound like propane gas is dangerous as well—after all, all gas is the same, right? Well, not exactly.
While propane is still a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks within propane systems are rare, it’s why more and more folks are switching from electric or natural gas systems to propane—a safe and clean-burning way to heat your home and water and run many of your appliances.
As with any fuel, there are certain steps to take to ensure you and your home are safe and comfortable. Knowing what to do if you smell gas can help ensure the situation is resolved safely and quickly. Here’s what you need to know:
Propane has a distinct rotten-egg smell to help you quickly notice leaking gas. Make sure everyone in your home can recognize the odor. If you smell gas:
Many of our customers love the convenience of automatic deliveries. But automatic delivery service can also help protect against leaks. That’s because if an appliance valve or gas line is left open when there is no propane, a leak could occur when your tank is filled. In addition, when you run out of propane, pilot lights in appliances will go out.
This can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. Automatic delivery ensures you won’t run out of propane!
At Rand Wade, your safety is always our priority. All our technicians follow the highest safety standards for every propane delivery, and we invest in ongoing training to keep them up to date in the latest technologies and safety protocols available.
Remember that carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas produced no matter what type of fuel you use. It’s odorless and tasteless, but high levels can be deadly. Be sure you have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home—in addition to smoke detectors—and change the batteries twice a year. You can also install propane leak detectors. They’re inexpensive and easy to install—and can help detect a propane leak before you notice the smell.
If you have any questions about this information or any other propane safety issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
When temperatures dip for extended periods, sometimes you need a little extra help keeping warm. Maybe an addition or sunroom in your home isn’t heated well by your main heating system. Maybe your home is older and drafty or not well-insulated. Or maybe you’re spending time working in a poorly heated space.
If any of these instances hold true, you likely use a portable space heater to keep the chill under control. It’s actually a great choice! Indoor propane heaters can be much more efficient at heating spaces quickly compared to other options, such as electric space heaters. But make sure you are using your supplemental heating device safely. Used incorrectly, there can be some significant risk.
In general, look for units with an automatic shut-off feature that turns the unit off if it begins to overheat or if it tips over or is on an uneven surface.
Here’s how to make sure you’re as safe as well as comfortable.
Looking for a safe and efficient way to supplement your heating system? Rand Wade Oil carries a range of space heaters including portable indoor heaters, wall-mounted indoor heaters, forced-air indoor heaters, and radiant indoor propane heaters! We also sell and install propane log sets for the charm of a fireplace without the mess. And for outdoor use we have propane pace heaters for spaces like garages and porches.
Contact us or stop by our showroom today for more information.
Propane tanks can last a while—decades, even—so if you’ve never had to get a new one, you may not know where to start. Whether you’re a new homeowner or you need propane for your business or other commercial use, the pros at Rand Wade Oil can help.
Propane tank size is usually given as their water capacity volume in gallons. The exception is refillable tanks, which are often referred to in pounds. Since propane is stored in a liquid state under pressure, it needs room to expand into a vapor. That’s why propane tanks are “filled” to 80% of its water capacity.
For example, a 120-gallon tank will hold approximately 100 gallons of propane when completely full.
To know what size tank you need, you need to know how you will use your propane:
Once we’ve helped you determine the best size tank for your needs, our pros can help determine the best location for your tank and make sure it’s installed safely. With 45 years of experience behind us, we’ve installed tanks for all kinds of homes and businesses and dealt with all kinds of logistical and location challenges. We also offer prompt and reliable propane delivery service to homes and businesses across Greene County, Lenoir County, Pitt County, Wayne County and Wilson County.
Today’s propane tanks are built with safety and durability in mind. Aboveground propane tanks are designed to withstand the elements for 30 years or more before they need to be replaced. Some aluminum and composite cylinders can last even longer. On the other hand, underground propane tanks can have a shorter average life expectancy, between 20 to 30 years, depending on the soil type and whether the tank was installed properly.
Rand Wade will come to your North Carolina home or business to assess your situation and find the propane tank solution that will meet all your needs. Contact us today for more information—and for a FREE estimate.
If you have the option to choose between propane and connecting to natural gas, you might not think it makes much of a difference. So long as you can enjoy the convenience of gas-fired appliances like a furnace, water heater, or range, gas is gas, right? Not exactly.
For starters, Propane has a distinct edge over natural gas because of the way it’s transported and stored. Propane gets compressed into a liquid, becoming what’s called liquid petroleum gas (LPG), which is stored inside large tanks until we deliver it to your home or business. Liquid propane changes to gas before it leaves your propane tank, and is released slowly and safely through pressure regulators, making it far safer than that of natural gas.
Propane offers several other distinct advantages over natural gas, and that are worth considering as you evaluate the right choice for your North Carolina home. We’ll outline some key benefits for you here:
One of the biggest reasons so many people prefer using propane gas for home heating and water heating is that they know they will always have propane when they need it. That’s because your propane supply is stored in a tank on your property, so you’ll always have it right on hand. Natural gas customers don’t enjoy that kind of security. You’ve likely heard news reports of interruptions in natural gas service because of pipeline problems, caused by cold weather, accidents, or deterioration. When underground natural gas pipelines are damaged, hundreds and even thousands of customers may lose their supply until repairs are finished. Forget hours, it could be days without the gas you need to heat your home.
With propane, you can enjoy all the benefits of gas-fired heating, water heating, ranges, and more no matter where you live. If you want natural gas in your home, you need to be in a neighborhood where there are natural gas lines in place—and connect from your house to the main line, which can require excavation and additional costs.
When you have natural gas, you’re dealing with a utility company. Usually, that means a far-away office where you’re just an account number in a database. Rand Wade is a local company that specializes in outstanding service. We offer safe, reliable propane delivery with neighborly, personalized service.
Natural gas is often touted as being a “greener” choice. But the main component of natural gas is methane, which itself is a greenhouse gas. Worse yet, methane leaks from underground natural gas pipelines are not uncommon.
Propane, on the other hand, is not a greenhouse gas. In fact, because of its low carbon content, it has been named as an approved clean fuel in both the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 National Energy Policy. What’s more, our propane supply is produced right here in North America, so you are supporting America’s energy independence.
Rand Wade offers safe, reliable propane delivery and service for your North Carolina home. In addition, we install propane tanks and sell, install, maintain, and repair propane equipment and appliances. Contact us for more information today!
