Fleet managers look for every advantage when it comes to making decisions for their business, knowing that the difference between being profitable and breaking even (or worse) often comes down to the choices they make before the rubber even hits the road.

That’s why many fleet managers these days are turning to propane autogas.

On average, autogas costs about 50 percent less than its equivalent of gasoline. But that’s only part of the advantage that comes with converting your fleet to propane.

Autogas also burns much more cleanly than gasoline or diesel, which brings two benefits: For one, you’ll spend less money on maintenance over the course of your vehicle’s lifespan. For another, your fleet will stay on the road making money rather than on a lift making you pay for more vehicle repairs.

Cleaner fuel also means your fleet will be more eco-friendly – a potentially great marketing differentiator for your business. In fact, burning autogas rather than gasoline or diesel will cut emissions of smog-producing hydrocarbons by 70 percent, carbon dioxide emissions by 12 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions by 20 percent, and carbon monoxide emissions by 60 percent.

Need more reasons to switch to propane? How about these: It will start in any weather without assistance from engine block heaters or glow plugs, and it can be used for light-duty equipment like forklifts and commercial mowers. If you need a filling station installed on your site, that’s easy to do for qualified propane technicians.

The Future Of Fleet Fueling Is Here

From school buses and national park vehicles to police cars, more than 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. alone are powered by propane today. Worldwide, propane has been keeping vehicles on the road for decades and enjoys one of the industry’s best safety records.

Could propane autogas be right for your fleet? Contact Williamson Gas today and let’s talk about it!

Spring is here, and soon heating season 2020/2021 will be behind us. It certainly was a rollercoaster winter weather-wise here in North Carolina – and billing-wise, too, if you paid your propane delivery bill month to month.

But if you had been a Williamson Gas Monthly Payment Plan customer, you would have avoided the ups and downs altogether.

With a Monthly Payment Plan, we’ll estimate your fuel costs for the year use based on your past bills (or a home your size in your neighborhood, if you are a new Williamson Gas customer), then divide that number into 10 equal installments, with two adjustment bills (or account credits) per year.

The result? You’ll avoid paying for 80 percent of your year’s propane use during a four- or five-month period. Instead, you’ll enjoy even, predictable payments throughout the year, no matter how much gas or oil you use! There’s no enrollment or finance fee for the Plan – just think of it as free peace of mind.

More Predictable Propane Bills With Smart Buy

If you’re a propane customer, you probably know all too well that propane prices can be unpredictable – unless you lock them in at one low pre-season price for the year.

That’s what Smart Buy is for. With Smart Pay, you’ll buy your fuel in the offseason, when propane is usually cheaper (sometimes much cheaper). Unlike some other companies, we don’t require full payment for your propane up front – you can spread out your Smart Buy payments over a three-month period to make things more manageable.

Two FREE Ways To Make Things Easier

The sooner you sign up for a Smart Buy or your Monthly Payment Plan, the sooner you’ll say goodbye to heating bill surprises. Think of how much easier it will be to plan your monthly budget knowing what your energy bill will be! In a time where every day brings new surprises, it’s nice to have something you can rely on – from a company you can rely on.

Get ready – enrollment for the Williamson Gas Monthly Payment Plan begins in May! Contact us today to learn more about the Plan and other convenient Williamson Gas services that can make your life easier in the months ahead.

More than 800,000 farmers across the USA use clean, green propane every day to power their farming operations, and for good reason: it’s one of the most powerful and efficient ways to power the machines and systems that keep a farm productive.

How Farmers Are Using Propane

It’s also the most versatile fuel for your farm. Consider all the ways that propane can be used in an agricultural setting:

• 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.
• 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.
• Vehicle power – From riding lawnmowers and forklifts to tractors and delivery trucks, propane can fuel just about any vehicle. Propane engines are cheaper to operate per mile and require less servicing than gas engines.

Why Use Propane On Your Farm?

Considering making the switch to propane for your farm? Smart move. Consider these benefits:

• Cost savings – Propane is significantly less expensive than gas or diesel fuel, and propane-powered engines cost far less to purchase and repair than their diesel counterparts.
• Fuel security – Propane is used in a closed-end fueling system, which virtually eliminates loss from theft and spillage.
• Clean burning performance – Propane burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel – which means you will experience less wear and tear on your equipment, lower maintenance costs, and less equipment downtime due to repairs.
• A smaller carbon footprint – Propane’s lower carbon emissions offer big environmental benefits that 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
• Flexible power – Propane engines offer flexible power so you can irrigate with your motor running at any RPM*
• No pooling – If you spill propane, it evaporates without contaminating soil or water.

For these reasons and more, propane can be the perfect fuel for your North Carolina farm. Could propane be right for you? Contact Williamson Gas today to find out!

A storage tank is the heart of a propane-powered home, and choosing the right one isn’t always as easy as you might think (a big reason why we typically choose your tank when you become a Briles Oil & Gas customer).

Still, it’s always best to know as much as you can as a consumer, so we have prepared this short guide to talk about sizing your propane tank.

Propane Tank Sizes

Residential propane tanks come in sizes ranging from 100 to more than 1,000 gallons. The most common propane tank sizes we offer include:

• 120-gallon – Good for most propane applications except whole-house heating. Equipment may include stoves, clothes dryers, water heaters, space heaters, generators or fireplaces. Good for homes that use propane for two or more propane appliances.
• 330- to 500-gallon tanks – These tanks are generally designed for households using 100–200 gallons a month; a 500-gallon propane tank will be appropriate to heat most houses ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet.
• 1,000-gallon tanks (and larger) – These tanks are used for large residential applications (4,500+ square feet) or commercial and industrial applications.

On Leasing Vs. Buying Your Tank

Generally speaking, the disadvantages of owning your propane tank far outweigh the benefits.

For example, when you purchase your own propane tank, you are responsible for all installation and maintenance tasks and costs associated with your tank, including repair, replacement, and parts. You are also responsible for periodic tank recertification according to local and state laws, along with any fees charged by a supplier for using a tank that they don’t maintain and didn’t install.

When you lease a propane tank, on the other hand, the supplier is responsible for installing and maintaining your tank – including securing the licensing and other common and specific requirements needed within your state. 

No-hassle propane tank installations in Asheboro, Ramseur, and Denton, NC

When you sign on as a Briles customer, we’ll provide you a propane storage tank and set you up in Asheboro, Ramseur, Denton or a nearby community in Davidson, Moore, Alamance, Chatham, Montgomery or Randolph County, NC.

Whatever your preference or need, Briles Oil & Gas can provide the best advice on propane tank installations in North Carolina. Contact us today to learn more.

During winter, our propane heating systems are running almost constantly – and we’re home indoors more than other times of year (especially this year). That combination increases the chances of encountering a safety issue in our North Carolina home.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to revisit some propane safety tips so your family can enjoy the cozy warmth of your home with peace of mind. Let’s do it!

4 Quick Home Safety Tips

1. Learn and teach 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, contact us.
2. Make sure everyone in the house knows how to detect a propane leak (follow your nose…propane smells like rotten eggs) – and what to do if you think you have one.
3. Learn how to prevent and deal with carbon monoxide issues:
   • Professionally service your propane heating equipment every year – this will help technicians spot a potential CO hazard early.
   • Install carbon monoxide detectors, following manufacturer’s instructions for placement and maintenance. Replace batteries at least once a year, and replace the unit as suggested by the manufacturer (usually every five or ten years, depending on the model). We also strongly recommend installing propane leak detectors to protect against the potential for propane odor loss during a leak.
   • Clear vents, chimneys, and flues quickly after a storm to make sure your home remains adequately ventilated.
   • Learn the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and what to do if anyone in your home experiences them.
4. 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.
   • always follow the instructions of local authorities.
   • 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 Williamson Gas if you have any questions about propane safety, or if you need reliable propane deliveries in Sampson, Bladen, and Duplin counties, NC!

Did you know that just about any home comfort appliance that runs on electricity can also run on propane gas – and that it will usually perform better with less environmental impact than its electric powered counterpart?

Electric Vs. Propane* Facts

1. When you consider the full lifecycle for each energy source from the point of extraction to the point of use, propane is 55 percent more efficient than electricity (87 percent for propane vs. 32 percent for electricity).
2. Burning one gallon of propane produces the equivalent energy of 27 KW hours of electricity.
3. A storage-type propane water heater costs 30 percent less to operate than electric models —up to 50 percent less if you use a tankless propane water heater. The average home saves about $174 a year using propane vs. electric water heaters, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E).
4. A conventional propane water heater can heat water almost twice as fast as an electric water heater, which means faster recovery times if you run out of hot water.
5. Propane appliances reduce the carbon output of your home: a propane tankless water heater, for example, emits about half as much carbon as a storage-type electric water heater.
6. High-efficiency propane gas furnaces can operate at 95 percent efficiency or more. If electricity is produced by a coal-fired power plant, more than half the energy used to produce and deliver your energy is wasted.
7. The average lifespan of a propane gas furnace is about 20 years; the average electric heat pump? About 13 years, according to the D.O.E.

Still using electric appliances in your North Carolina home? Consider making the switch to propane. The expert technicians at Williamson Gas will install and service your propane gas-fired boiler, furnace, water heater, and other appliances – contact us today to learn more about propane appliance installation in Sampson, Bladen and Duplin counties, NC.

* Sources: National Propane Gas Association; Propane Education Research Council, unless otherwise stated.

Stretch Your Outdoor Entertainment Season

Fall is in full swing here in North Carolina, with autumn leaves dropping all around us as the season gives way to cooler weather.

But just because it’s getting chilly doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy a little outdoor entertainment time – with a little help from propane gas.

Propane outdoor living appliances can stretch your outdoor time by a month or more – good news as the days get shorter here in Sampson, Bladen and Duplin counties.

What Are The Outdoor Uses Of Propane?

Here are just some of the possibilities for using propane in your backyard or outdoor entertainment space:

• Propane grills – When it comes to grilling, nothing beats propane for convenience, precision temperature control and efficiency. Make a built-in grill the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen.
• Propane patio heaters – From full-size standing models to portable units, you can find the right-sized heater for any porch, patio, or pergola.
• Propane spa heaters – Need a quick getaway? Take a soak in a propane-heated spa. Propane heats water much faster than an electric heater, so you’ll be warm in no time.
• Propane lighting – Propane lights are available in just about any size and style – from tiki torches to modern fixtures.
• Propane fire pits – Imagine sitting by a fire under the stars without leaving your backyard – and without the smoke, ash, and hassles of a wood fire. A propane fire pit adds style and warmth to your outdoor space, giving your family the perfect place to gather.

Contact Williamson Gas today for a FREE estimate on great propane outdoor living equipment installations in Clinton, NC and beyond! Already have propane outdoor living appliances? Don’t forget to schedule a propane delivery in time for the fall rush!

No one wants to deal with the hassle of managing their propane supply – or with the consequences of a propane runout. Luckily, there’s a FREE service from Williamson Gas that helps you avoid these problems while taking many of the hassles out of heating your home: automatic propane delivery.

If you’re not familiar with automatic delivery, here are a few questions and answers to get you familiar with this convenient service; if you have more, let us know.

Williamson Gas Automatic Propane Delivery FAQs

• How does automatic propane delivery work? When you choose automatic propane delivery, our teams estimate your need for a refill based on a combination of your past usage and a “degree day” formula, which approximates how much propane a home your size would use given current weather conditions. When your tank reaches about one-quarter full, we will schedule a delivery; if you need to adjust the date, just give us a call.
• What’s the difference between automatic delivery and Will Call? With Will Call delivery, you have to track your propane levels and schedule your own deliveries; with automatic delivery, we’ll do that for you. With Will Call, you may also have to wait for a refueling in periods of high demand; with automatic delivery, you’ll always get priority service.
• This sounds too good to be true…why is automatic delivery FREE? Automatic delivery is free because it benefits us, too. It helps us to schedule our deliveries efficiently so we can serve all our customers and avoid having to send crews out to deal with emergency run-outs.

Summing up: Three key benefits of automatic propane delivery from Williamson

When you add it all up, automatic propane delivery from Williamson Gas just makes sense. Enroll in automatic propane delivery today and you’ll get:

• One less thing to think about – You’ll never have to check your fuel gauge or remember to call for an appointment, and you’ll never be charged for propane you don’t use.
• Priority deliveries – As an automatic delivery customer, you’ll jump ahead of Will Call customers for fuel appointments – which could be important come wintertime here in North Carolina.
• No more run-outs – or their consequences – With automatic delivery, you’ll reduce the odds of a propane run-out dramatically, which will save you worry and money: remember, if your propane service is interrupted for any reason – including a run-out – your system must (by law) be tested and restarted by a propane professional!

Let Williamson Gas take the hassle out of managing your propane with FREE automatic propane delivery in Sampson, Bladen, and Duplin counties, NC. Contact us today to learn more.

As hot as it’s been the last month or so here in Clinton, NC, it’s hard to imagine the weather cooling down – but we all know it will, starting with crisp evenings sometime in September.

When that time comes (especially this year), it’s going to be more important than ever to find ways to stay outdoors comfortably in cooler weather– and one of the best ways we know to do that is to install a propane fire pit.

Compared to their wood-burning counterparts, propane fire pits offer some important advantages: fires are easier to set up an break down, they burn cleaner, they are easy to adjust, and they produce no smoke. But how do you choose the right fire pit for you, and how do set it up and use it safely once it arrives?

Here are some pointers.

Choose the right propane fire pit

Selecting a fire pit is straightforward: aesthetics and size will often drive your decision. Look for a fire pit that allows you to adjust the flames’ heat, making it higher or lower by simply turning a nob or pushing a button (some will even allow you to do this with a smart phone app). Just remember that the bigger the fire pit is, the more gas it will use.

Find the right spot

When it comes to placing your fire pit, choose a spot that is at least 15 feet away from your home and other outdoor structures; look for guidance from the manufacturer or your propane professional (see below) for more specific details. Your ideal spot will be blocked from the wind and free of overhead foliage. Make sure there are no pipes underneath your fire pit and no electric wires overhead. Only install a fire pit on a patio if the patio is made from non-flammable materials, such as stone.

Hire a professional to install it

A fire pit is a combustion appliance, much like a space heater or indoor fireplace. Improper installation or maintenance of a propane fire pit can be dangerous. Always leave propane fire pit installation to professionals.

Use it safely

Follow these simple suggestions to stay safe when operating your propane fire pit.

• Keep the pit area clutter-free – Keeping objects near the fire pit increases chances of an accident; keep the area clear.
• Clean your equipment regularly – A blocked or dirty burner or pipe can cause a buildup of gas, which can be dangerous.
• Check for leaks – Check all connections and valves for signs of a leak. If you find one, turn off the gas supply immediately and tighten the connections.
• Know how to shut off gas at the source – Know how to turn off your propane supply from the tank in the event of a leak or some other emergency.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy – Make sure all adults in your house know where you fire extinguisher is and how to use it.
• Propane only! – Never pour gasoline into the fire pit or add paper, trash or combustible materials. Use a screen to prevent the spread of sparks.

Considering a propane fire pit for your outdoor space? We can help! Contact the pros at Williamson Gas today for more information about propane fire pit installations in Sampson County, NC!

We’re more than two weeks into summer 2020, and although it seems like there’s a lot of warm weather still ahead, the season always goes more quickly than you think it will (yes, even this year).

Unless you extend your summer with propane – and a little help from Williamson Gas.

There is still plenty of time to install propane outdoor living equipment that you’ll enjoy now and well into September or even beyond. Imagine sneaking in a night swim in a propane-heated pool on a cool evening – or enjoying a nice soak in your propane-heated spa as the leaves change in October. Your family will appreciate the warmth of a propane space heater on your porch, patio or pergola – or an evening of stargazing by the warmth of a blazing propane fire pit – come late summer and early fall. And of course they’ll enjoy delicious meals cooked to perfection on a propane grill any time of year.

Williamson Gas offers a range of propane appliances that will perk up your summer and early fall. We’ll help you size, choose, and safely install your equipment quickly so you can eke out every last moment of outdoor enjoyment this year.

If you want to hold on to your outdoor entertainment season as long as possible this year, think propane – and think of Williamson Gas, your propane experts in Clinton, NC!

Don’t cut your outdoor season short – Contact us today and extend your summer with expert propane outdoor living appliance installation in Clinton, NC, or anywhere in Sampson, Bladen and Duplin Counties!

And remember: once you have those appliances in place, keep them running year-round with reliable propane deliveries in NC from the pros at Williamson Gas. Contact us today to join our family and experience the Williamson Difference for yourself!