tvt 11/28/22 The Valley Trader of Central Pennsylvania

24-hour

Convenience store located in each building for items like milk, cereal, ice cream and toiletries

An enriching lifestyle with an active social calendar to keep you as busy as you wish! Local/Regional Bus Trips. Various floor plans and exceptional amenities to meet your personal preference.

Worry-free, maintenance-free living, including snow removal from vehicles

Public transportation 5 times daily, 6 days a week.

Free Bus Shuttle to Community Arts Center Wellness Programs to sustain a full and active lifestyle, including bocce ball/shuffle board and corn toss

Wellness Coordinator led balance and exercise classes!

A full continuum of care on one Campus: Independent Living Apartments, Licensed Personal Care, Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation/Long Term Care and Outpatient Therapy Services!

Lunch, seven days a week for Independent Living Apartment residents

Personal Care Services include wellness checks, medication management, assistance with Activities of Daily living and 3 meals daily Beauty Shop/Beautician services onsite Group Activities such as Bible Study, Hymn Signs, Bingo

CLASSIFIED

TESTIMO NIAL

I love The Valley Trader!!! I have been able to sell so many things through this little pa per!! People

me from all over. Last week I received a call from Ha waii about one of my ads. LT Antiques - 02 Autos/Trucks07

53 Vehicles 1948 & up, $1,000 to $5,000 or less. Too sick for hobby. 570538-3464. 12/19 1953 Dodge Truck Body on a 1997 Ram, 2500 Chasis, 12 Valve Cummins with Mods, Muldoons Transmission. Truck runs but does not drive. For more info. 570360-0017. 12/5 Wanted to Trade: 72 Ford Show Car for Ford Truck F15, 30.2 5 spd. Few er than 90,000 mi, air. Anytime. Sunbury 570-

286-7849. ufn Auto/Truck Accessories - 10 Whitewall Tire on Chev. Wheel, like new, 205-7515, $20.00. 570374-0082. 11/28 Rear Spoiler fits Chev. Co bolt and Pontiac GS, excellent condition. 570337-4619. ufn Truck Caps for sale. 570494-0444, call for details. ufn For sale parts: 1997 Buick la Sabre, complete and ready to part out. Call 570204-9626. ufn

Campers, Motor Homes, & Rec. Vehicles - 11 1995 Char iot Park Model Camper, furnished, 34’x12’, w/loft, computer or of fice room, sunken BR, tinted living room window, furnished 8’x34’ porch sunscreen, 10’x20’ carport, 10’x20’ new shed. Make offer. 570966-6220. ufn Help Wanted28

Experienced Sales Person to handle our Mon tour & Columbia Co. area. Very good commis sion structure. Send resume to The Valley Trader, Sales Position, PO Box 392, Lewis burg, PA 17837

Sales Rep Wanted: Expanding sales force in Lycoming & Clinton Cos. Experience sales necessary. Must have car & valid Driver’s Li cense. Territory & account list provided. Send resume to: The Valley Trader, Sales Dept., PO Box 392, Lewis burg, PA 17837 or email to: thevalleytrad er@yahoo.com Help Wanted: Part time Graphic De-

signer position. 24-35 hrs. over 2 wks, but mostly on week 2. Must be able to work in a high speed environment. Be literally your own boss, but work easily with others. This may lead to a fulltime position in the future. Send resume & portfolio to: The Valley Trader, PO Box 392, Lewisburg, Pa 17837 or email: the valleytrader@yahoo.com

Household - 30 Teeter Inversion Table, new con dition. $250.00 OBO. 570-6587111. 12/12 275 Gal. Fuel Tank, clean, good shape, $125.00; 6 Pane Windows. 570-725-2747 Ext. 1. 11/28 Sears Crafts man Wet/Dry Vac, 5.25, 16 gal. works great, all accessories, $75. OBO. 570204-9626 Mt. Carmel. UFN Miscellaneous35

Selling nice musical equipment. Reason able. Call Steve 717-379-8010, Gratz. 12/19 Motorcycles - 37 Sell me your Motorcycle, Mini-cycle, or Moped. Any year, make or

model. Running or not. WPU. 570-724-996-2693 anytime. 12/5 Wanted - 50

WANTED:Baseball, foot ball, basketball, & hockey collections for my personal col lection.717-330-2684. 11/28

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Tree Lighting & Fam ily Activities, Sat., Dec. 3 from 5 PM - 8 PM. Tree Lighting 7 PM . Live music, food trucks, s’mores, roast marshmal lows. FREE hot chocolate & cook ie & kid’s take home treat. Frosty the Snowman will stop by. Bring your camera to get a pic with Frosty. Sunbury Bible Church, 135 Hol low Road, Nor thumberland. 570473-7355. 12/5

Sanitation solutions for tiny houses and other nontraditional homes

VALLEY AUCTIONS VALLEY HEALTH

(BPT) - Since the real estate market started heating up and as the pandemic lingers, alternative housing options are seriously trending. Remote work has opened possibilities for living almost anywhere, even while traveling, which has led to increased interest in options like tiny houses.

A recent survey by Fidelity National Financial subsidiary IPX1031 found that over half (56%) of survey respondents would consider living in a tiny house. Even more surprising, 86% of people who were not homeowners said they would consider a tiny house as their first home purchase, and 84% said a tiny home was an option they would consider for retirement. Other alternatives like modular homes, trailers and converted vans have emerged as potential options for anyone alarmed by exorbitant home prices, rising mortgage rates and soaring utility costs - and for those seeking a greener lifestyle.

Nontraditional homes offer benefits including economy, mobility (tiny houses with wheels or vans, for example), simplicity and sustainability. But they also present challenges. Beyond learning to de-clutter and simplify, you also have to learn how to meet essential needs, including most importantly: plumbing. Any living situation requiring above-floor plumbing solutions

demands extra thought, so whatever space you call home is livable, practical - and comfortable.

Fortunately, implementing plumbing in a nontraditional home or even a portable setting is easier than ever, thanks to the development of user-friendly products that make workable bathrooms, kitchens and laundries possible for almost any setting.

Innovative bathroom solutions

For tiny homes, modular homes or other kinds of nontraditional housing, today’s effective above-floor plumbing technology can also improve water conservation. For example, macerators, grinders and drain pumps specifically designed for small spaces allow you to install efficient plumbing systems virtually anywhere, even for portable bathrooms.

Having to connect to a septic system 100 feet away, which was too far for conventional drainage, tiny home builders Mario and Ciarra Soto chose an option that offered the convenience of

a traditional flushing toilet. Because tiny homes like theirs aren’t usually connected to a municipal sewer system, the Sotos had to figure out how to connect to their nearby property’s septic tank. The solution? The Saniaccess 2 macerating toilet system from Saniflo fit right behind their toilet, taking up little space. Meanwhile, its half-horsepower pump and macerator blades rotating at 3,600 RPM handled their drainage needs efficiently and quietly - and they even installed the Saniaccess 2 themselves.

VALLEY HO E IMPROVEMENT VALLEY AUCTIONS

need solutions to above-ground plumbing problems, visit saniflo.com to explore a wide variety of products that can make a difference, no matter what kind of housing you choose.

VALLEY HEALTH

Kitchen options for tiny houses, food trucks or basements

In settings ranging from tiny houses to food trucks or even in modular homes, optimizing limited space is key to a successful kitchen setup. Ideally, you’ll want to install a drain pump unit that not only handles drainage of gray water (water used for purposes other than sewage) from your sink and dishwasher, but also fits inside a kitchen cabinet.

One great choice is the Sanivite, about one-third the size of a standard drain pump, which can discharge gray water away from a variety of fixtures up to 16 feet vertically and/or 150 feet horizontally to the drain line. The Sanivite offers quiet performance by emitting less noise and vibration. This solution was ideal for Dane Perkins, project manager and co-owner of GMH Construction. His clients wanted to add a basement bar to their lakefront home - which would have involved breaking through their basement’s concrete floor. Instead, this new unit could drain water easily to meet their clients’ needs for far less cost.

Laundry solutions for smaller spaces

While the ability to do laundry is crucial to daily living, adding laundry facilities often seems impossible in modular settings. With a more compact profile than other drain pumps, the Saniswift Pro is a heavyduty drain pump made for hard-to-reach, tight spaces common in modular settings - such as beneath a bathroom or kitchen sink. Even better, this unit can handle gray water from up to three fixtures (such as a shower, dishwasher and/or washing machine) and doesn’t store waste, but uses a shortcycle motor to begin draining immediately. The result? More efficient, effective drainage with no unpleasant odors.

If you’re considering a nontraditional housing option or

(Family Features) Whether your festivities include immediate family or bring together relatives from around the country, the holidays are about making memories with loved ones. From the first days of the season to the last, many families spend their precious time together with favorite activities and the best foods the holidays have to offer.

This year, you can change things up and start new traditions with a fresh ingredient like Envy apples, which provide an easy way to update classics due to their sweet taste and availability. The sweet, sophisticated flavor; uplifting, fresh aroma; delightfully satisfying crunch; beautiful appearance; and naturally white flesh that doesn’t brown as quickly as other apples all lend themselves to shareable recipes like this Apple Wreath Salad or Roasted Apple Macaroni and Cheese, both perfect for holiday parties.

Because cherished memories are made with sweet ingredients, you can turn cozy movie nights into festive and memorable events year after year by

bean custard

AUCTIONS

HEALTH

pairing Hallmark Channel’s popular “Countdown to Christmas” holiday movies with delicious desserts like Apple Custard Sponge Trifle and Brown Butter Apple Pie.

Find more memory-making recipes at EnvyApple.com.

Apple Custard Sponge Trifle Servings: 8-10

6 Envy apples

tablespoons golden caster sugar

teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, water 1 tablespoon corn flour 1 large plain sponge cake

cups vanilla

1/2 cup caramel or butterscotch sauce, plus additional for garnish, divided 1/2 cup cream fresh apple slices fresh strawberry slices

Peel, core and dice apples; place in large saucepan. Add caster sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 cup water. Simmer apples 5-8 minutes until tender.

Combine corn flour and remaining water. Stir corn flour mixture into apples until apples are syrupy.

Cut sponge cake into 2-centimeter diced pieces. Arrange 1/3 of sponge pieces in base of serving bowl. Add half of cinnamon apple pieces, including syrupy juices. Add 1 cup custard and drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel sauce. Repeat with remaining ingredients, finishing with sponge cake; chill.

Whip cream and spoon dollops over sponge cake to cover top. Garnish with apple slices,

strawberry slices and caramel sauce.

Apple Wreath Salad Recipe courtesy of “The Produce Moms” (@theproducemoms)

Balsamic Dressing:

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, finely ground

1 large garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad: 10 ounces baby arugula

3 Envy apples, sliced

9 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

3 ounces pomegranate arils

3 ounces pecans, toasted

To make balsamic dressing: In small serving bowl, whisk honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Place dressing bowl in center of large board or platter. Arrange arugula around dressing bowl in wreath shape.

Place apple slices on top of arugula. Sprinkle on goat cheese, pomegranate arils and pecans.

Brown Butter Apple Pie

Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

4 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2inch cubes

Filling: 4 tablespoons butter 2 pounds Envy apples, cut into 1/4inch slices

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 tablespoons flour

1 deep dish frozen pie shell

Preheat oven to 375 F.

To make streusel topping: Mix flour, chopped pecans and light brown sugar. Stir in butter using fingertips until incorporated with small lumps of butter visible. Refrigerate.

To make filling: In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter until amber, stirring often. Set aside to cool. In large bowl, stir sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla and flour using spatula. Pour brown butter over apples and mix, scraping skillet with rubber spatula to incorporate brown butter bits.

Place frozen pie shell on baking sheet. Add 2 cups apple mixture into shell,

Farms

S & S

Hoagies Available Daily Homemade Soup - Sat.

Before You

WHEN REPLYING TO A LBYL AD BE SURE TO MAKE ALL CHECKS OUT TO THE VALLEY TRADER. EACH REPLY IS $4.00.

You must renew your ad every 2 issues for it to run in the next issue. And it MUST be written. Ads are not taken by phone. Please note that no ads for alternative lifestyles will be placed anymore. Ads will be placed according to publisher’s discretion.

Must be 18 or over to use this column.

ATTENTION NOTICE

If you send us an ad to run in this section, you must include your real name and address or we will not be able to print your ad. No one ever knows who you are except for the person who handles the replies in my office. Thank you for understanding in this simple matter.

Did you meet someone or go further with your relationship? We want to know. Send us your testimonial.

Testimonials: (Looking for some new comments of success)

Fall 1991 and January 1992 Testimonials: My cousin and his new wife (both in their early 40’s) were visiting my mom, my sister, and I. My sister asks, “So, how did you meet?” They kind of giggled and asked each other, “Should we tell them?” They said they met through the LBYL column. My sister and I decided we would try our fare at meeting “Mr. Right”. (BTW, my cousin and his wife are still married and hopelessly in love.) My sister didn’t have much luck, but in January 1992, I saw this ad that kept drawing my attention. As described, he really wasn’t what I was looking for, but... We met later that month for the first time; got engaged in 1993 and married in 1994. We will celebrate our 25th anniversary this October and we have a 23-year-old daughter who lives out of state. Thank you, LBYL! Mr. & Mrs. J.N.

4/4/17 Testimonial: I placed an ad 1/2/94 and met the love of my life. He has 3 boys and I have 3 girls. We were married 8/26/95 and now we’re the Brady Bunch. Thanks for helping us find each other. KP/DP

I will always be grateful to your paper Valley Trader. My husband DH wrote to me and we have been happily married almost 12 wonderful years. We’ve been through many trials and joys and so glad we found each other. K.W/ K.H.

“Thanks Again Valley Trader, Friends! Years ago I put an ad in your paper and we were married almost 20 years & then our lord called him home.” -HR

“My brother met his wife Bonnie through your column. They have a son named Jake! He’s our pride and joy!” –CW L.B.Y.L. Readers: It would help a lot if you put your town location in your ad. Distance is important when replying to an ad. Thanks.

– The Valley Trader

PLEASE RESPOND – We have had several people who have responded to personals in our column, and received no response in return. We would like to request that you send at least a post card to each and every response you receive, just out of courtesy to those taking the time to write you. Also, don’t forget to include either a phone number or address in your letter when responding to an ad.

IN ORDER TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN IC RESIDENTS AND OTHER RESIDENTS

WE HAVE DECIDED TO PUT EACH IN THEIR OWN SECTION.

Tired of not meeting that special someone at work, at the bar, or wherever you have been looking? Look no further than Look Before You Leap men and woman our other supporting single services. We want to help you! What do you have to lose? Just your loneliness. So do it. Send in your ad or send in

a response. See directions at beginning of section on how to be a part of the Look Before You Leap.

Regular:

Looking for my Teddy Bear, I’ll be your kitten. This John 3:16 Christian Wt. Lady (70) has many interests: writing, art, nature, nutrition & cooking. Let me make your favorite meal! I’ll respect you and hopefully make you smile. Nonsmoker please. Kindness a must. Phone friend OK for now. Disabilities OK as well. KO26897 4/5/23

IC’s:

FIC, 30, tall, thick, short brown hair. Love music, have tattoos, nose & tongue pierced, from Milton. Enjoy 4 wheeling, outdoors, camping, fishing, arts & crafts. Love food, & swimming. JW26920IC

SWtFIC looking to get to know any males, 3645. I’m 39, black hair, blue eyes, 5’3”-160. Just a few months left here. Just trying to get to know someone better. LA26921IC

SWtFIC, seeking supportive men with the capacity for making me a sugar baby. I’m attractive, attentive, amorous, available for release & companionship soon. KE26922IC

FIC, Italian Princess looking for her Prince. Smart, funny, loves to laugh & have good conversations. Dark hair, hazel eyes, thick in all the right places. JB26924IC

SWtF looking for older man. I’m 38, blonde hair, 5’7”-170, outgoing & full of fun. Willing to make it long term. NB26925IC

FIC, Italian, 35, 5’8”180, thick in all the right places. Have a 38 Double D chest & nice butt. Love music, movies, warm weather & the fall. Tacos are my favoite & anything pumpkin. Long brown/ blonde hair, big brown eyes, tattoos. LW26926IC

Breast Cancer Survivors: How big was your lump?Local female inmate seeking information & letters of experience for purpose of making well informed

decisions about treatment. Support & detail appreciated. KE26927IC SWtFIC, attractive. I need a man to talk to, a mate and do special things for me. Preferably generous, older, kind, hardworking, happy. KE26928IC

SWtFIC, long black hair, hazle eyes, curvy & independent. Seeking older, kind, outdoorsy, calm man to share my days with. PM26929IC

SWtFIC, looking for outgoing, older gentleman to share time with. I’m very outgoing, independent, & loving. RB26930IC

SWtFIC, sweet, sexy, fun, easygoing, patient, open minded, tender, loving, affectionate, honest, loyal. Enjoy the outdoors. Will bring you pleasure & happiness. Looking for long term relationship. HS26931IC

SFIC, likes cooking & traveling. Looking for a penpal/companion. If something more comes from it, great! Willing to relocate. BS26932IC SWtFIC, very outgoing, kind & independent. Love the outdoors, very loyal, & honest. Looking for kind man to keep me company. PM26933IC SFIC, 31, ambitious, driven, humorous, outgoing. Seeking male or female companion & desiring to expand my horizons. Can you lead the way? RD26934IC SWtFIC, 47, Indian/ Irish/German, willing to relocate. Looking for a friend/companion. TS26935IC

FIC Wanted: potential mates for myself, an amorous woman. Must be industrious, gentle, love to travel, make music, dine & love dogs, big trucks & farmers. KE26936IC

SWtFIC, looking for people to correspond with. I’m 45 & this is my first time incarcerated & losing my mind from boredom. SM26937IC

SFIC, Moroccan, 35. Seeking friends to correspond with. I look forward getting to know

you. NF26938IC

FIC seeking penpals, friends, potential mates for fun loving woman. Love horses & fast cars. Athletic, brunette, great smile, talented & attentive. Seek same & funny. KE26939IC

SFIC, 36, looking for penpal, possibly relationship, lonely. DM26940IC

Wanted penpals for soon to be releeased woman looking for funny, potential friendship & more. Need TLC, attention support, humor from local people who care. KE26941IC

FIC, 28, A bad girl looking for a man that can handle & tame me. Freak in the sheets but lady in the streets. Lonely, looking for someone’s full attention. Have expensive taste & like to be taken care of. I want to take care of you back. I am unique, one of a kind with a juicy booty. You will never be bored with me.

CF26942IC

FIC, smart, funny, sassy, Italian Princess, long black hair, big hazel eyes. Looking for that special someone to complete me to talk & laugh with.

JB26943IC

SWtFIC, 58, brown hair, blue eyes, 124 lbs. I like the outdoors, biking, swimming, parks, etc. I love to have fun. Have a sense of humor. PJ26944IC FIC, Soon to be Released. Would like to meet someone who enjoys the finer things, 5 star dining, trips all over the world. Must be serious.

TM26945IC

SWtFIC, looking for a gentleman too share my time with. I’m kind, compassionate & independent. Very caring. Love the outdoors & cuddling. PM26946IC

FIC, Sexy, Italian, long dark hair, big hazel eyes, funny, smart, loves to talk. Looking for that someone to laugh with & have fun.

JB26948IC

SWtFIC, seeking long term relationship. Fun, loving, affectionate, sexy, loyal, open-minded, patient, educated, responsible, relocatible. I

will bring love, pleasure, & happiness into your life.

HS26949IC

FIC, 35, looking for pen pals to correspond with. I’m a non violent offender & just looking to pass my time here. NF26950IC

FIC, 46, just looking for pen pals. First incarceration, not violent or drug related. An interesting story actually. “Robin Hood” offense. SM26951IC

SWtFIC, 48, looking for a fresh start. Willing to relocate. TS26952IC

SWtFIC, looking for companionship. Just turned 50 & am in prison for life. Look forward to communicating with someone. KB26953IC

FIC, blonde, blue eyes, 5’6”-135. Like to swim & hike. Love the outdoors, camping. I’m very loyal, honest, & hard working.

TP26954IC

WE DO NOT RUN ANY IC-LBYL ADS WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFYING NUMBER. THESE MAILINGS ARE RETURNED BACK TO US, NON DELIVERABLE. ALSO YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR MAIL FROM LBYL. Inmates, seems you may need to be on some kind of mailing list at the prison. Inquire at your place.

The Valley Trader would like to thank everyone who places an ad in this column and also the people who respond. The number of responses we have been receiving has been GREAT!!! If you meet that “special person” from communicating through our column, let us know. Did you marry? Are you dating? We would like to know! Write us a short note we can print. Of course, we’ll only print it with your initials.

ATTENTION: We have no control over where our Look Before You Leap ads arrive from, and being a free press, we will place them in our column.

gently pressing apple slices for even base. Add remaining apple slices and gently press. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over apples.

Bake 30 minutes then reduce oven temperature to 350 F and bake 3545 minutes until topping is golden and apples feel tender when pierced with fork.

Roasted Apple Macaroni and Cheese

Salted water

1 pound macaroni noodles

4 tablespoons butter

1 Envy apple, peeled and diced

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups milk

3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 cup Romano cheese, grated

1 cup gruyere cheese, grated

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

Topping:

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add noodles and cook until just tender. Drain and set aside.

In large pot over high heat, melt butter then saute diced apple until caramelized

and tender. Sprinkle in flour and stir. Cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Whisk in heavy cream and milk; bring to boil, whisking frequently so milk doesn’t burn.

Once boiling, turn heat to low and whisk in cheddar cheese, Romano cheese, gruyere cheese, salt and Worcestershire. Continue whisking until cheese is melted thoroughly.

Carefully pour mixture into large blender and blend on high until smooth.

Pour cheese sauce over noodles and stir.

Pour macaroni and cheese into 9-by13-inch pan and spread evenly.

Heat oven to broil.

To make topping: In medium bowl, melt butter and stir

in panko breadcrumbs.

Sprinkle breadcrumbs over macaroni and cheese; broil until golden brown. #16429 Source: Envy Apples

(Family Features) Americans should brace for a potentially cold and wet winter, according to NOAA and this year’s Farmer’s Almanac Winter Outlook. That means now is a perfect opportunity to think about preparing your family and home for the colder months ahead.

From heating homes with a high-performing furnace or fireplace to keeping children warm and comfortable on school buses, propane can help keep families cozy this winter.

Relying on a diverse energy mix - including propane, solar and wind - can help ensure you’re prepared for whatever winter brings and reduce

the strain on the fragile electric grid. Plus, propane is a stable energy source that is stored on-site and can keep homes operating during severe weather or utility power interruptions. Using propane also produces 43% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the grid.

Get winter-ready with these tips from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council:

Have Your Furnace Serviced. Proactively think about ways you can reduce the demand on your heating system. In addition to scheduling routine maintenance by a trained professional, there are a few things homeowners can do. First, open all air vents and make sure they are uncovered as blocked airflow forces the furnace to work harder.

Check the thermostat to ensure it’s working properly by increasing the temperature by 5 F and waiting to hear the furnace turn on. Consider setting the thermostat a couple degrees cooler than what might feel comfortable as doing so not only saves money but lessens the load from your furnace. Keep thermostats at 65 F during the day and 55 F at night, closing off rooms that don’t need to be heated.

Using a programmable thermostat can save homeowners as much as 10% per year on heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It’s also a good idea to replace air filters every 1-3 months to help keep your furnace working efficiently and effectively.

Upgrade Your Furnace. If it’s time to upgrade your home’s climate control system, it’s a smart idea to do your homework and explore your options. There are several state and federal incentive programs to help homeowners upgrade their current systems to a clean energy option like propane. Propane is an affordable, comfortable,

Marquette’s Auction Marketing

Tom Marquette, AU-002855L, 570/9166903

reliable and efficient energy source. It’s also a clean, low-carbon option. What’s more, propane-powered furnaces last 50% longer than electric heat pumps, which means a lower lifetime investment. Propane furnaces also provide warmer air than other heat sources (115-125 F), are less impacted by outdoor temperatures and produce 50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than electric furnaces and 12% less than fuel oil furnaces.

Rethink Your Boiler System. For a home that runs on a boiler system, you can make upgrades that improve performance while providing space savings and the versatility to provide heating, hot water and even snow melt. Highefficiency propane boilers can last up to 30 years and have significantly lower emissions than those fueled by heating oil.

Take Advantage of Your Fireplace. The warm glow of a fire isn’t only comforting; it can be a practical and effective way to increase the heat inside your home. Not only do propane fireplaces offer 5-6 times the heating capacity of electric fireplaces, they’re also more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, convenient to use and easier to install than woodburning models. They also emit less soot and other emissions.

Be Efficient with Water Heating. Water heating can be a large expense, accounting for 14-18% of home utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Set your water heater no higher than 120 F and install low-flow shower heads or temperature-sensitive shower valves to reduce energy consumption. High-performance propane tankless water heaters can reduce a home’s energy consumption because it only heats the water when you need it, ultimately saving you money.

Find more tips to prepare your home for winter weather at Propane.com.

Preparing for Winter Storms

Before, during and after a storm, consider these key factors to help keep your family and home as safe as possible.

Have an Adequate Propane Supply

Discuss the possibility of scheduling regular winter visits with your propane supplier so you always have an adequate supply of propane in your tank. This can reduce your chances of running empty in times of heavy snowfall when roads may be inaccessible for delivery.

SUDUKO

VALLEY AUCTIONS

Create an Emergency Plan

VALLEY HEALTH

Work with your family to create a plan in the event of a winter storm. Gather contact information for emergency services and utility companies, including your local propane supplier, along with instructions for turning off your propane, electricity and water. If you turn off your propane, contact a service technician to inspect your system before turning it back on.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Because carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is highly poisonous, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) on every level of your home, including the basement. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation, location and maintenance.

Plan for Communications

Keep a battery-powered radio handy, so you always have a way to receive updates on weather conditions. As storms approach, it’s also smart to charge your smartphone to use as an additional tool for communication through a power outage. Purchasing a propane generator is another option to ensure you always have reliable power, even during blackouts.

Inspect Damage Cautiously

If a storm causes harm to your property, be careful when assessing damage. Downed power lines, damaged gas lines and dislodged propane tanks can lead to dangerous situations. In the dark, use a flashlight instead of candles to avoid combustion if there is a leak.

Call the Experts in Dangerous Situations

Your utility company, fire department and propane supplier have expert training to handle your home’s systems in potentially dangerous situations. Additionally, if a storm damages your property, it’s a good idea to have a qualified service technician perform a complete inspection of your propane system to look for damage.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (House)

#16403

Source: Propane Education & Research Council

#16403

Source: Propane Education & Research Council