Homeowners across Baltimore, Maryland, have been enjoying the benefits of residential propane power for a long time. After all, who wouldn’t enjoy low energy costs, qualification for tax credits and rebates, a smaller carbon footprint than other power, and an indefinite shelf life? Propane power is hard to beat.
However, since propane power is so popular, there are plenty of companies out there that are willing to deliver cheap, sub-par service that may be masked by an appealing facade. Propane, like any power source, is one of those things that no homeowner can afford to skimp on. By knowing what to look for in a residential propane company, you can sit in comfortable security knowing that you’re receiving safe, reliable service. Here’s why choosing the right residential propane delivery company matters.
Experience
There are plenty of businesses out there that advertise cheap prices for seemingly adequate service, but dig a little deeper, and you may find that not everything is what it seems. While no company should be faulted for having to start somewhere, experience is a vital factor in considering a residential propane company.
A company’s experience proves that it is established, and with establishment comes resilience. An established company has taken a ride on the waves of changing economy, it has delivered reliable enough service that it has stuck around over the years, and it has proved that it is trusted by its customers. When it comes to something like propane, it’s essential to find a company that you can trust.
Griffith Energy Services, for example, has been around since the turn of the 20th century. That’s more than 100 years, folks! While an established, experienced company may not need to be around that long to be trusted, Griffith has proved that it can meet the growing, changing needs of customers over an entire century.
NPGA Certification
A company asking for your business without certification is like a cop trying to give you a ticket when they don’t even have a badge. Anyone can say that they can do something, but certification proves it.
Any time certification is available and a company is void of it, you should start to be skeptical. Certification ensures that whoever is servicing your propane (or any other part of your home) knows what they’re doing. This seems obvious, but many companies will try to get by without certification, so always verify this before trusting any company with caring for your home.
Any propane-servicing company, for example, should have NPGA (National Propane Gas Association) certification. The regulations followed by the NPGA and their certified companies ensure that their services are both safe and reliable, since they must reach a certain bar to become (and remain) certified. A certified company will provide its customer with reliable parts, installation, and maintenance, thus limiting the potential for future issues.
The NPGA also provides additional training for employees of the companies under its membership. The CETP (Certified Employee Training Program) supplies propane companies with the tools necessary to cultivate reliable and versatile employees. CETP certification consists of a written exam as well as a skill assessment. When a company’s employees are CETP-certified, you can be sure that they know what they’re doing, and they’ll be more than able to provide the service you need.
Safety
Any time you’re dealing with any kind of home care, safety is a must. When you’re dealing with any kind of fuel source, especially a gas like propane, safety is significantly more vital. You can do some HVAC maintenance on your own, but you should never try to install your own residential propane tank, and you should never trust a mediocre company to do it either. After all, any propane service provider that does not know how to keep themselves safe cannot be trusted to keep you safe either.
Searching for a company with an NPGA certification should narrow the possibilities here, since any certified company is required to adhere to strict safety guidelines. Without that certification, you can’t be sure that whatever company you’re considering will keep their work on par with industry guidelines.
A safe job is a job done right. Regulations and standards are not only set in place to keep you and service providers safe, but they also ensure that every single job yields maximum results. When your propane service provider adequately follows prescribed safety guidelines, you’ll experience greater comfort and efficiency within your home.
Reliability
When you invite a propane delivery company to work on your property, you do so with the expectation that they will deliver what they say they will. A reliable service provider has withstood the test of time and has established a certain sense of reliability among its customers. An apparent amount of experience also indicates an implied reliability; customers have trusted them enough that they’ve stuck around for a long time.
What does it mean for a company to be reliable? Why would this be so important? A reliable company lives up to its word. If its representatives and technicians promise to deliver outstanding service, they do so. If they promise that their prices will be lower than others in the industry, then they need to live up to that promise. A company is reliable if they meet the expectations of their clients.
But how can you know that a company is reliable without hiring them first? You can check out customer reviews either on their own site or on Google. As you look through these reviews, pay attention to whether or not customers were satisfied with their service. Consistent satisfaction generally means that the company is reliable. They have proven that they can be trusted.
A reliable company will deliver the best work. They can be trusted to be safe, efficient, and honest.
Customer Service
The right residential propane delivery company puts its customers first. They care about your specific needs and wants. They aren’t there just to make a few bucks. They aren’t there to exploit you because you’re in desperate need of something. A company devoted to delivering great customer service will personalize its service to you.
When a company cares more about its customers than simply making money, they are more likely to deliver the work that will best serve the family; after all, every service should be tailored to the individual. Good customer service includes being a good listener, being open and friendly with clients, as well as being fair and honest in all business dealings.
Just like with reliability, you can easily gauge the customer service level of a company by looking at their reviews online. As you read, pay close attention to any comments regarding how the company made the client feel. Companies with good customer service will make their clients feel comfortable.
Nationwide Supply Network
Finally, it’s important that you take a look at the company’s supply. A company with a shallow supply network may not be able to provide you with the services and goods that you need. Don’t commit to a company before you know that they can deliver.
The right company will have a supply network that reaches outside the boundaries of a city or state. With open channels in more places, this company is able to supply you with goods personalized for your needs. Having a wide supply network also indicates that the company is reliable and has some level of experience since it has been around long enough and has provided enough service that it can turn to regular suppliers.
With so many companies out there vying for your business, it can be stressful and daunting to narrow down which one is the right pick for you and your family. You can make this process much easier by looking out for these six factors in the right residential propane delivery company. When you find the right company, you’ll experience the comfort and efficiency brought about by a reliable, experienced, safe, certified, and friendly residential propane company.
If you have more questions about residential propane or would like to see if Griffith Energy Services is the right company to meet your residential propane needs, give us a call at 888-474-3391.
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