Safety Q&A

1. What should I do if I smell gas?
   1. If you smell gas, immediately turn off appliances, extinguish any open flames or smoking materials and get out of the house immediately. Call Nantucket Energy at 508-228-6240 immediately.  If you cannot immediately reach someone at Nantucket Energy, call the Nantucket Fire Department at 508-228-2323.  If it is an emergency situation, CALL 911.
2. What is a leak test?
   1. A leak test is used to indicate any leaks within the propane piping system due to interruption of service or an "out of gas" event.  Leak testing tests the integrity of the system plumbing joints and the seal of the pipe joint compound, because one of the reasons that you may be out of gas is, surprise, you have a leak.  This is the safety reasoning behind leak testing.  Leak tests are performed because they are required by law.
3. Do I need a leak test if I run out of gas?
   1. Yes.  As luck would have it, most propane customers run out of gas when temperatures are the coldest.  No matter what the temperature or how busy we are, if the tank is out of gas, a leak test is required.  Being out of gas is considered an "interruption of service".  It may not be convenient for you or us, but it's the law.  If you are out of gas and it is not a result of a failure on our part, we will have to charge a fee for performing a leak test.  See our Service page for more details.

Service Q&A

1. How do I sign up for gas delivery?
   1. You will need to fill out an Application for Service  and sign the Terms of Service either online or in person at our office at 8B Amelia Drive.   We will then input you into our fuel management system and be in touch to get account details, do a site inspection and let you know when your service start date will be.
2. When do deliveries start?
   1. Once you have signed all of the required paperwork and been put into our fuel management system, we will call you to let you know when your first delivery will take place.
      
      If you do not own your own tank(s), Nantucket Energy will make arrangements to "swap" out your old tank.  We will credit you for any propane in the tank removed and will return the tank(s) to your previous provider at no charge.
   2.  If you own your own tank(s), we can start deliveries immediately.
3. How do I know if I own my tank(s)?
   1. Did you pay for your tank(s) to be installed?  Chances are that you own them.  If your tank is an underground tank, usually you own it as well. 
      
      If you are not sure if you own your tank(s) or not, you will have to check with your current gas supplier.  If you didn't sign a written tank rental agreement or other paperwork regarding your existing tank(s), the tank(s) probably belong to you.
4. Do you have 24 hour service?
   1. Absolutely.  You can call the office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak to a live operator to request a service call.
5. How quickly can I get a response to an emergency service call?
   1. Nantucket Energy service technicians will make every effort to be there or you will get a phone call to schedule a service call within one (1) hour.  Please remember that emergency or after hours service calls are charged at different rates than for services performed during regular business hours.

Pricing Q&A

1. What impacts the price of propane for consumers?
   1. In recent years, virtually every fuel source in this country has experienced an increase in price. Three (3) main factors contribute to higher propane prices:
      Higher Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices - Because propane is derived from both crude oil and natural gas, its price tracks the prices of those energy sources - particularly the cost of crude oil, since propane competes mostly with crude oil-based fuels for heating.
      
      Seasonal Weather Conditions - Colder temperatures during the winter months increase the demand for propane, particularly for home heating.  This, in turn, reduces supplies and leads to higher prices.  Propane retailers are prepared to meet the demand, but predictions of long-term weather trends are difficult.
      
      International Influences - The global propane market is constantly changing.  New customers all over the world are turning to propane as a home energy source.  As a result, there is increased competition for propane, which means higher prices.
2. Why are propane gas prices higher in Nantucket than the rest of the country?
   1. Propane prices vary in different parts of the country for four (4) key reasons that are related to supply and demand: weather influences, local economic forces (cost of land, rent, wages, insurance), logistics and location in proximity to supply and competition.
      
      In the short-term, the demand for propane among residential and commercial customers is affected significantly by weather.  Because weather conditions change rapidly, large and sudden shifts in demand can occur, creating imbalances that result in significant price movements. These weather factors can also influence the propane distribution system. As with all energy sources, propane prices are influenced by the systems required to transport the energy source from where it is produced to where it is used, whether  through pipelines, ships, or trucks.  A major weather event or any prolonged weather events impact propane prices.
      
      Nantucket is an expensive place to do business. The costs of land are high, wages are high and other costs such as insurance, rent, etc., are also extremely high.  The "Nantucket" factor can attribute to costs some 40% over mainland prices.  These "Nantucket" costs are reflected in the prices that a consumer sees when they get their propane gas bill.
      
      Propane prices are also influenced by proximity of the customer to the supply.  In an area such as the Gulf Coast or Midwest of the United States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Kansas or Oklahoma), customers are close to major suppliers, shipping ports and pipelines, so the effort needed to get propane to its customers is minimal.  The logistical costs of delivering bulk propane supplies to Nantucket are significant.  Propane is typically transported from overseas to a bulk delivery terminal in Providence, RI where the propane is picked up by truck transport and driven to Hyannis, MA.  Once in Hyannis, the truck transports are put on board so-called "Hazardous Trips" on Steamship Authority freight vessels.  These open-air freight trips are limited to a certain number per week.
      
      Source: Propane Prices, What Consumers Should Know, Energy Information Administration, May 2006.
3. How can I control my fuel costs?
   1. You can sign up for either our Budget or Pre-Buy  plans which offer forward-thinking solutions to controlling and/or moderating your fuel costs.  You can also conduct an energy audit at your home to identify areas where you are losing heat or where your home is inefficient.  The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors a weatherization assistance program to help eligible households permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.  Application information is available on the Internet at http://www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/apply.html
4. Are there specific steps that I can take to guard against winter price increases this year or to help lower my energy bill in general?
   1. • While many of the factors that contribute to higher fuel prices cannot be controlled by propane retailers or consumers, there are some simple steps you can take to lower your energy bill year-round.
      • You can save on energy costs by following this three-step energy plan:
      • Explore fuel payment plan options to spread your projected annual costs over many months, balancing the costs of seasonally higher bills. See our Budget or Pre-Buy  plans.
      • Set up a regular delivery schedule with Nantucket Energy. Consider filling your tank before the start of the heating season rather than waiting until it is empty. Propane can be stored for long periods of time.
      • The federal government offered a tax credit of up to $500.00 for qualifying energy-saving improvements made during the 2006 and 2007 calendar years. Credits are available for many home improvements including high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment such as propane water heaters and furnaces. For more information visit www.energytaxincentives.org.
      • You can also lower your overall energy bills by making a few small changes in your home
      • Protect against drafts by caulking and weather-stripping around windows, doors, and other openings such as ducts, fans, and vents.
      • Inspect and tune-up your residential heating system regularly for efficiency. Contact Nantucket Energy to inquire about a home heating system inspection.  A properly working heating system is more efficient and will save you money.
      • Change your furnace filter monthly. Clean filters will help your heating system work more efficiently. If you're on a monthly payment plan, use receipt of your propane bill as a reminder to check your filter.
      • Invest in a furnace thermostat timer that can save money by lowering your home's temperature when you are not at home. You can cut annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year by turning your thermostat back 10-15 percent for eight (8) hours per day.
      • Switch to a propane water heater, which provides significant energy efficiency over an electric water heater. Over time, propane water heaters can cost one-third less to operate and recover hot water twice as quickly as electric water heaters.
      • When using a water heater, turn it down from the standard 140 degrees to 130 degrees. You could save more than 10 percent on your water-heating bill.
      • Increase your water heater's efficiency by draining it every six (6) months to remove potential  lime deposits and sediment.
      • Install flow-restricting shower-heads. You can reduce hot water usage by up to 50 percent without affecting your shower pressure.
      • Run washing machines and clothes dryers with a full load.
      • Close vents and doors in unused rooms. Make sure your attic and basement are properly insulated. 
5. Are there other places that can provide assistance or tips on dealing with propane prices?
   
   1. Yes.  Here is a list of several websites that may be able to provide you with more information regarding energy price and supply:
      1. Department of Energy: 
         • Home Energy Saver: hes.lbl.gov
         • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: www.eere.energy.gov/consumer
         • Energy Star: www.energystar.gov
      2. Alliance to Save Energy: www.ase.org
      3. Propane Education & Research Council: www.usepropane.com
      4. National Propane Gas Association: www.npga.org
      5. General Propane Information: www.propane101.com
      6. For additional information on propane prices, see the May 2006 Energy Information Administration's Propane Prices: What Consumers Should Know brochure at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/propane06/propane.html
6. How do I calculate how much propane I will use in year?
   1. If you are already a propane user, you should use your historical billing records to estimate your yearly usage.  You should call your gas company and request your billing records to establish how many gallons of propane you purchased in a given year.  If you are a new user, it is almost impossible to calculate exactly the amount of propane you will use in a season.  Many factors influence the amount, such as outdoor temperature, wind velocity, insulation in your home, and thermostat settings, just to name a few.  A typical residential customer using propane for heating and average-sized home will use approximately 600-1000 gallons of propane a year.  This number may be higher or lower if you have a bigger house, use additional propane appliances, etc.  A good tool for estimating your propane usage (along with a ton of other information about propane) is available at http://www.usepropane.com/

Propane Facts

1. What is propane?
   1. Propane is a hydrocarbon (C3H8) and is sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP-gas, or LPG.  Propane is produced from both natural gas processing and crude oil refining, in roughly equal amounts from each source.  Most propane used in the United States is produced domestically, however, some is imported from overseas.  It is nontoxic, colorless, and virtually odorless.  As with natural gas, an identifying odor is added so the gas can be readily detected.
2. Is propane dangerous to the environment?
   1. No.  Propane is an approved, clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992.  Propane is one of the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels. Tests conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show that propane-fueled vehicles produce 30 percent to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and about 50 percent fewer toxins and other smog-producing emissions than gasoline engines.  Propane also is nontoxic, so it's not harmful to soil or water.