Frequently Asked Questions

What is propane and where does it come from? Propane is the by-product from the distillation of crude oil and the processing of wet gases such as NGLs (natural gas liquids).

Is it safe? Propane is a safe non-toxic, eco-friendly, and economical source of energy with a lower level of flammability than the gasoline used in cars.

How do I make the switch to using propane to reduce my power bill? You can switch to propane as easy as 123… by calling Home Gas and talking with our certified customer service staff. We provide free estimates, so give us a call at 949-7474.

Why is propane considered “green”? Because it is a renewable sustainable energy and it is cleaner than our current major source of energy generated by burning diesel fuel to power Cayman. Burning propane to make energy reduces the amount of heavy metals, hydrocarbons and emissions that are released into the atmosphere. Propane is not like the gaseous compounds HFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerant nor a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) so it does not harm our delicate ozone layer.

How do I order a gas delivery? There are several ways you can order gas. The first option is to call the Home Gas office and request a delivery. The second option would be to use the Gas Delivery page of this website if you already have an account with us.

Will Home Gas deliver gas to me if I am not at home? Yes, we will. There are some policies you have to be aware of to get gas delivered while you are out. The first one is by pre-paying at our either of our offices. Also, if your account is in good standing and you have a security deposit paid on account, you can all Home Gas and we will deliver gas to you.

Why does propane smell bad? Propane gas is colourless and odourless in its original state, so the chemical ethylmercaptan is added to it to create a distinctive smell (similar to the strong pungent scent of rotten eggs). If you smell a foul odour, call Home Gas right away.

What should I do if I think I smell leaking gas? Extinguish all smoking materials and open flames and immediately leave any area where propane fumes are present. If possible, open the windows and doors to increase the flow of ventilation through the room. Do not flip on the light switch or operate electrical appliances, thermostats or telephones as they could cause a spark and ignite escaping gas. If you are not able to locate the source of the gas, exit the building and shut off the propane (righty, tight) at the tank. Call Home Gas from a cell phone or neighbor’s home. Do not enter the building until advised to do so.

If I run out of propane, why does my propane installation system have to undergo a leak test? If your tank is completely empty and there is no vapor pressure in the tank then there is a high possibility that you may have a leak. In today’s world of gas appliances almost all of them have low pressure shut off safeties. Modern safeties are in place to ensure that you always have safe operation of your appliance. If your appliance still has a standing pilot then your pilot could evacuate your line completely but you should still have your system inspected to be 100% sure.

Do Bulk Storage Propane Tanks Ever Explode? There is a possibility but it is highly unlikely. Conditions have to be perfect for this to happen. It is called a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion). This is caused by flame impingement on the tank and it can only be caused this way. You cannot shoot a tank or drop it to make it explode. You are safer using propane in your home or business than you are putting gas in your car.

While Hollywood would have you think otherwise, propane tanks do not explode. Nor do they implode, rupture or come apart on their own due to the safety devices and mechanisms in place to prevent tank explosions and accidents.

FAQs By Appliance Category

Safe Grilling Tips

  1. Always keep the top open when lighting a grill until you are sure that it is lit
  2. Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill
  3. Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks
  4. When finished grilling, turn off the burner controls and close the cylinder valve
  5. Make sure the grill is clean. When finished grilling and the grill is turned off but hot, clean off the grates. Once the grill cools, clean out the collection tray.

How To Properly Start Your Gas Grill

By following this sequence, excess gas will not accumulate inside the grill when lighting.

  1. Open the grill lid; never light a gas grill with the lid closed.
  2. Turn on the gas supply.
  3. Turn the ignition burner to high.
  4. Light the ignition.
  5. Turn on the second, third or fourth burner if needed.
  6. Adjust burners to desired temperature.

 

How does it work? In a nutshell, it basically emulates human prey by burning propane and creating CO2 and using the attractant. The female mosquitos are attracted to the unit where they are sucked into a net and they dry out. By reducing the amount of female mosquitos available to lay eggs, you reduce the amount of eggs laid. This is why it’s important to keep the Magnet operating at all times.

Can I turn it off when I’m not using it? Not recommended although we do have the Executive model which allows for the unit to be turned off at particular times of day. The whole concept is mosquito population reduction so we need to keep the unit supplied with gas and attractant throughout the season so it can continually kill female mosquitos.

How long does a 20# cylinder of propane last? About 21 days

How much does the bait cost? A single Lurex cost $16.50

What units do you offer? The Patriot ($385) Independence ($749) and the Executive ($899). Price includes initial set-up at customer location, cylinder of propane and bait.

How much area do they treat? Both the Executive and the Independence treat one acre; the Patriot under one acre.

What is the difference between the Magnets? The Executive comes with a rechargeable battery pack, while the Independence needs 4-“C” cell batteries. Executive has LCD screen to tell you if the unit is running and allows different mode settings to turn the unit off during the middle of the day and middle of the night, times when mosquito researchers have found mosquitos to be less active.

Does Home Gas offer a service to maintain the Mosquito Magnet? Yes we do! The rates are: $79 per magnet every 20 days. Price includes labor, cylinder exchanged and bait replaced and net cleaned. If you use our service, and your Magnet has a repair that will take longer than two days to complete, a loaner Magnet will be put in its place until repairs are made.

Can Home Gas provide parts and service for the Mosquito Magnets? Yes, we can. We have agreed with the Caribbean supplier to do most basic repairs such as thermistor replacement, pc board replacement etc.

How long does the battery pack last? Depends on how often it goes through the start-up cycle. On the executive, you may need to charge more often if you use the mode feature which turns the unit on-off during the day. On the Independence, it depends on the battery you replace it with (quality of battery)