Message from the President

Thank you for electing me to serve as President of the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association for the next two years. I am truly honored.

I also want to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and recognize our Immediate Past President, For the past two year, Beth Donovan, Shipley Energy, has led the Association with tenacity and dedication. She distinguished herself as a judicious steward of our Association and never flinched in the face of difficult decisions as there were many with COVID-19.  Beth will be in PAPGA’s history books as the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association’s first woman President. 

I intend to pick up where Beth left off alongside a group of professionals who have an abundance of knowledge and experience in the propane industry. Together, with our Board of Directors and executive director, we are committed to advancing the Association and the propane industry in Pennsylvania.

However, our goals cannot be reached by Board leadership alone. We need you – our members! Your continued support, critiques, and participation will keep the Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association sustainable and relevant.

With the opportunities and challenges that come with this position, my top goal is to best serve ALL members. I will be looking for your participation and continued support as we move forward.

 

 


Hugh Rich, III

President
PA Propane Gas Association
Richgas, Inc.

Propane’s gifts to our daily lives

Hey there, Thanks for checking in. Here are the latest thoughts that I jotted down when thinking about the Power of Propane in our daily lives and the experiences of customers…

Creating Exceptional Comfort and Efficiency with Propane. Propane gives your customers the performance they demand, and sets your projects apart.

Propane is Performance Multiplied.  With propane, you’re not only giving homeowners a superior experience, with greater comfort and efficiency. Building with propane can also build your reputation and grow your business. If you’re a construction professional, check out this video to see how to stand out from the competition and result in more satisfied customers. 

Furnaces & Boilers. With a propane furnace or boiler, you can give homeowners more cost-efficient heating, and more comfortable and consistent warmth compared with other fuel sources.

Water Heating. Whether you choose a propane storage tank water heater, or save floor space with a propane tankless water heater, you can be sure you’re giving homeowners the performance they demand. Plus, with new efficiency standards making electric models bigger and bulkier, high-efficiency propane water heaters can be easier to install.

Ranges, Ovens & Stoves. Simply by giving a kitchen propane cooking appliances, you give the whole home a high-end feel. Your customers will enjoy the control of cooking with gas, just like the professionals.

Clothes Drying. A propane clothes dryer is a simple addition that shows homeowners you don’t overlook any details. They’re easily vented and give homeowners better performance, and incredible efficiency.

Fireplaces. Propane fireplaces are significantly warmer and more energy efficient compared with electric or wood fireplaces. With modular assembly, power venting, and other advantages, propane fireplaces give you more design flexibility than ever before.

Generators. Show your customers you’re going the extra mile for their peace of mind. A propane-powered standby generator gives a homeowner comfort and security in the event of a power outage.

Outdoor Living. Propane isn’t just for the interior of homes. Transform the exterior of your next project with a fire pit or fireplace, flame lighting, full outdoor kitchen, and more.

Dehumidifiers. Propane dehumidifiers are powerful, reliable, and easy to use and maintain. For new construction, restoration, and other applications, they deliver the performance you need.

Construction Equipment. Propane’s portability, low emissions, and ease of refueling makes it a great choice for construction equipment, including generators, heating, scissor lifts, and even work trucks.

Combined Heat & Power (CHP). Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems provide heat and generate electricity with higher efficiency and lower emissions levels than conventional heating and grid-supplied power. CHP systems can operate at 70 percent to 80 percent (electric and thermal) efficiency.

Storage & Distribution. Propane gives your customers independence from the grid, because it’s stored onsite, and delivered by professional propane suppliers. You can even give your customers the choice of above-ground or underground tank installation, to preserve the aesthetics of their yard. For larger developments, consider a community tank system, that supplies all of a development’s homes with propane, similar to a natural gas line.

Builder-Friendly. You can put propane to work anywhere, independent of the grid. Propane appliances also give you design flexibility when creating your plans.

It Sets You Apart. Customers prefer the performance of gas appliances. All-gas homes are typically valued up to five percent higher than all-electric homes.

Green Building.  Installing high-efficiency appliances significantly reduces a home’s total energy consumption, helping builders meet IECC, Zero Net Energy, and other above-code standards.

Residential Construction. Marketers should be in contact with construction professionals in your area. Propane is always the best product for new construction. The relationships we build will save the professional and homeowners costly retro-fits and plan changes to meet code or construction requirements. Getting it right the first time will always strengthen good relationships with the professional and consumers.

Propane Can Do That.

Happy Holidays! Thanks for checking in and talk with you soon!

Keep up with current news, events and updates at our Facebook & Twitter feeds.

Harold F. Sweet
Superior Plus Propane
PA Propane Gas Association President

hsweet@SuperiorPlusEnergy.com

Summer is here and Propane Can Do That!

Welcome to this month’s edition of the President’s Blog, featuring the bullet-point thoughts of PAPGA’s Harold Sweet…

Put More Green in Greenspaces. In an industry all about the outdoors, propane is cleaning up emissions and cutting costs.

Landscaping/Turf Management. Landscaping, golf courses, office complexes and larger communities with common ground. Can now have a green clean burning efficient chose in choosing propane powered equipment at a cost and health savings for all. If you are a provider must equipment companies will be happy to demo their equipment at your customer locations.

The Industry’s Best-Kept Secret. No matter the size of your mower fleet, propane can transform your business by affecting the bottom line. This cleaner fuel gives you an edge in marketing to customers, while the easy refueling options keep your crew more productive.

Cut More Than Grass – Commercial Mowers. With a propane mower, you can cut costs, emissions, and the grass. They cost about 30 percent less per hour to operate, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15 percent compared with gasoline mowers.

There are over 150 propane mower models – including walk-behind, stand-on, and zero-turn-radius models – available from the brands you know. Whichever is right for you, you’ll be saving more on fuel and labor expenses, while reducing emissions. You may also convert existing equipment using EPA- and CARB-certified conversion kits.

Round Out Your Fleet – Light-Duty Vehicles. To boost your savings even more, team up your propane mowers with propane AutoGas vehicles. They’re proven to deliver the power needed to haul equipment. They also offer the lowest total cost-of-ownership of any vehicle fuel out there, giving you a new route to better savings. These vehicles also operate cleaner than those powered by conventional fuels, keeping you on track with sustainability goals.

Fuel That Gets the Job Done – Medium-Duty Vehicles. Propane AutoGas is proven fuel for the powerful performance your business needs. And unlike diesel, propane AutoGas fleet vehicles operate cleaner without the added cost of filters and fluids. On top of cleaner operation, propane AutoGas offers the lowest total-cost-of-ownership available, increasing your savings even more.

Power On the Go – Generators. Power better savings while powering your equipment. Propane portable generators are trusted for recharging electric handheld equipment like trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws — with wattage ranging from 2,000 to 12,300. Propane is the perfect fuel for generators: It costs less, doesn’t degrade over time, and is always available in a power outage.

Storage & Distribution. Propane offers flexibility for contractors. For fleets with 5-10 mowers, your propane supplier will get you started with a cylinder exchange program. Larger fleets can take advantage of on-site dispensing, where trained employees refill their own cylinders at the start of each work day.

Reduced Fuel Costs. Propane is consistently less expensive at the pump, helping you submit more competitive bids with potential customers.

Lower Labor Expenses. On-site refueling allows your crew to spend more time working and less time at the gas station. On the job, employees are more productive and satisfied using clean equipment.

Fuel Security. Propane equipment has a secure, closed-loop fuel system. This saves money by virtually eliminating costly, harmful spills, and dramatically reducing fuel theft.

More Green-Minded Customers. Promoting your choice to use cleaner fuel can help attract new business from people who care about sustainability.

Propane Can Do That.

Thanks for checking in and talk with you soon!

Harold F. Sweet

Keep up with current news, events and updates at our Facebook & Twitter feeds.

Harold F. Sweet
Superior Plus Propane
PA Propane Gas Association President

hsweet@SuperiorPlusEnergy.com

Feeding the World is a Big Job

THE PRESIDENT’S BLOG, FEATURING PAPGA PRESIDENT HAROLD F. SWEET.

It takes a can-do attitude and a can-do fuel to help feed seven billion people. Think of a job on the farm, and chances are, propane can do that. It’s why more farmers than ever are making the switch.

Less to Worry About. More to Look Forward to. How do the hardest working people in the world, America’s farmers, get the job done? With powerful, clean-burning propane.

Propane or Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gas has been instrumental in farming ever since propane was introduced as a cooking alternative to natural gas were it was unavailable in rural areas. In the 1920’s

Harold F. Sweet

bottled gas was distributed with a gas burner for cooking where only coal or wood was used. Today the numerous propane powered products available provide the Agricultural community cost savings and time management.

Generators – A consistent supply of power can be critical to an agricultural operation, and propane-powered generators can supply power independent of the grid. When the costs associated with connecting to the grid make electricity or natural gas a poor choice, propane generators are an ideal option for farms.

Irrigation Engines – Farmers using propane irrigation engines report savings up to 50 percent compared to diesel engines doing the same job. Plus, new propane-powered engines typically cost 20 to 40 percent less than new diesel engines for comparable power. For many farms, propane engines are cost-competitive to electric pumps while providing independence from the grid.

Irrigation Engine in Corn Field

Grain Dryers – Crop drying technology has come a long way in recent years. Today’s propane crop dryers are up to 50 percent more energy efficient than older models. They also run cleaner, last longer, and are more cost-effective overall without pipeline curtailment concerns.

Flame Weed Control   Propane-powered pest control is perfect for organic farmers who can’t use traditional use pesticides rather than herbicides, or any producers who want to reduce their herbicide use. For example, flame weeding is up to 90 percent effective.

Building Heat – Even during long, cold winter months, when building heat is more energy intensive, propane will heat buildings effectively and efficiently. Propane also delivers the consistent heat needed for healthier plants and animals.  Check out this video to see how reliable, consistent and comfortable propane heat is a key part of turning baby pigs into market-ready hogs that are healthy and hearty.

Storage & Distribution – Propane gives you independence from the grid, because it’s stored onsite at your farm. You can also choose above or below ground tank installation.

Water Heating – Commercial-sized propane water heaters are ideal for agricultural use. With incredible efficiency, they can provide hot water for cleaning, sanitizing equipment, and much more. No longer do dairy farmers have to store large amounts of hot water (hundreds of gallons) after the introduction of tankless commercial water heaters, which feature a much lower operating costs than the large tanks of the past.

Lower Costs. Propane equipment is built for efficiency, so it can lower your fuel costs for nearly every application, from irrigation to building heat.

Fewer Emissions. Propane can help you meet the strictest emissions goals: it’s proven to produce fewer emissions compared with diesel or gasoline models.

Easy Refueling. Your propane supplier can customize a fueling plan that is right for you, to provide you with reliable power independent of the grid.

Abundant, American. Propane is made in America, and we have plenty of it. Using this clean, American fuel is good for your operation and good for the country.

Propane Can Do That.

Thanks for checking in! In my next entry, I’ll talk about Propane’s many uses for landscaping, golf courses, office complexes and large communities.

Keep up with current news, events and updates at our Facebook & Twitter feeds.

Harold F. Sweet
Superior Plus Propane
PA Propane Gas Association President

hsweet@SuperiorPlusEnergy.com

Welcome to The President’s Blog

Welcome to The President’s Blog, featuring PAPGA President Harold F. Sweet

Harold F. Sweet

Hello and welcome to my 1st blog entry.  I hope you check back often to read my latest entry!

Sometimes it’s hard for Pennsylvanians to keep up with all of the new products and changing prices in our industry. Great service and value from your propane marketer can save you money and time over the long haul. If you are happy with your present marketer and the price of propane (even if it’s a few cents higher) then you have true peace of mind, which is the best place to be. 

PROPANE SCHOOL BUSES 101

Are your children riding on a propane school bus? Think about how much time they spend on a school bus. While many students take the bus every weekday, we don’t often talk about the quality of their buses, or how buses affect learning – or, our communities.  School buses powered by clean, American propane aren’t new to the scene and school districts are quickly choosing propane over diesel. Why?

It’s Cleaner – much, much cleaner. Picture the height of a younger student compared to the height of a bus tailpipe. That student typically faces a cloud of diesel smoke, inhaling harmful diesel particulate matter. The particulate matter in diesel exhaust is an identified carcinogen (or, capable of causing cancer) that also aggravates asthma and other breathing issues.

It Saves Money – money that can go right back into your student’s classroom. Modern diesel buses can drain a transportation department’s budget due to the extra components required to keep them operating cleanly, on top of generally higher fuel costs. Propane is already a low-emissions fuel, and doesn’t require schools to pay for these extra components. Historically, propane also costs less at the pump than diesel, even as fuel prices fluctuate.

It’s Quieter – with propane, loud, smelly school buses are a thing of the past. Propane engines operate noticeably quieter than diesel, which has a significant impact on students’ safety. In a quieter bus, the driver can concentrate – on the road ahead, and on their passengers.  On top of improving safety, propane buses provide a calm start to the school day to help students pay better attention in the classroom.

Safety & Propane Buses – propane buses have been trusted for their safety since the 1980’s. Like conventionally fueled buses, they meet rigorous U.S. FMVSS and Canadian CMVSS motor vehicle safety standards. The fuel also does not ignite easily — 940 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to 500 degrees for gasoline. Propane is an approved fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act; it’s non-poisonous to humans and non-toxic to the environment. It poses no harm to groundwater, surface water, or soil.

You can play an important role in your districts decision by making your voice heard. Even if your district isn’t looking to change buses soon, your voice will make a difference when the time comes. Talking to your school about switching to propane buses could be as easy as emailing or writing a letter to your district’s transportation office.

Thanks for checking in and talk with you soon!

Keep up with current news, events and updates at our Facebook & Twitter feeds.

Harold Sweet