Make equal monthly payments with our budget plan. Click here to learn more.
Looking for a smart solution to warm up hard-to-heat rooms in your southwestern Virginia home? Propane space heaters are an effective and energy-efficient way to warm additions, in-law suites, and any rooms that don’t get sufficient heat from your main home heating system.
Whether you need extra heat without access to ductwork, or a way to warm rooms without starting up your full heating system, there’s a propane space heater for you.
When it comes to choosing the right propane space heater for your home, you have plenty of options. You can opt for a wall-mounted or freestanding unit, choose between radiant or circulating heat, and vented or vent-free heaters. Here’s what you need to know:
One of the biggest benefits of a propane space heater is that they require no ductwork. That means they are easy to install, too. We have a range of wall-mounted and free-standing models that can warm up just about any size space. These aren’t rickety portable space heaters. Many units are self-adjusting, with variable-speed blowers to eliminate cold spots for consistent, even heat. Temperature-sensing technology controls output, maintaining your desired temperature and saving you money.
With our long spring and fall seasons, you don’t always want to turn on your heating system just to take the chill off a nippy day. That’s where a propane space heater shines! A propane space heater can warm a room quickly, while a central heating system can take 30 minutes or more to get to a comfortable temperature. That means you can use a space heater to warm specific rooms, rather than cranking up your heating system—and your heating bill—until you need to heat your whole home every day.
Still not sure which propane space heater is right for your space? Don’t worry! The professionals at Midway can help you choose the size and type of heater that will best serve your needs and then install and maintain it for you. We sell and install models from leading brands, including Empire and Heatstar, in sizes to suit all spaces.
Midway is the local favorite for reliable propane deliveries and propane products in southwest Virginia for more than 50 years. Our customers trust us for good reason. Find out for yourself: contact us today or stop by our showroom.
One of the nice benefits of having a gas fireplace instead of a woodburning fireplace is that you don’t need to mess with firewood or kindling, or the ash and mess after they’re burned. With a gas log set, you can choose from a wide variety of styles of wood species and whether you want a neat pile or a more rustic set up. Then, all you need to do is push a button when you want to enjoy a cozy fire, and push a button when you’re done.
Of course, the sturdy logs will eventually wear out and need to be replaced, but the timing can depend on whether they are vented or vent-free, how well you care for them and how often you use your gas fireplace. A well-maintained vented log set with ceramic logs can last a decade or longer. A similarly well-maintained vent-free log set with ceramic logs can also last a long time, but, if heavily used, will begin to wear in five years or so.
Your gas log set should be professionally inspected every year. The technician will be checking to make sure all the pipes and connections are in good shape. They will also look for cracks and breaks in the logs. If the logs are beginning to break down, they will need to be replaced.
Vent-free log sets should have the ember bed and logs cleaned to remove any buildup. If you have vented gas logs, you’ll need to have your chimney inspected and swept once a year, too.
Even with annual maintenance, there are a number of signs that indicate your gas logs may be starting to wear out. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s about time to replace your logs.
Stop by our showroom and let the team at Midway show you your options We service and install everything we sell, with stylish options from Heatmaster, Golden Blount, Empire and R.H. Peterson. Contact us for more information today.
Whether you are a commercial landlord, or you own the building that you operate your business from, you know that managing expenses is crucial. That’s why you should understand the value of using commercial propane to heat your building.
Propane is efficient, ecofriendly and safe. What’s more, it’s a cost-effective and versatile fuel for a wide range of commercial uses, and it’s extremely efficient for heating and water heating. That’s why it makes smart business sense to use propane to heat your buildings.
Commercial spaces tend to be large, open areas. That means they are harder to heat and keep warm. Commercial propane furnaces are more efficient than electric heating systems, and provide more even heat. Contrast that with a heat pump, which don’t go above body temperature, making the air coming out of vents feel cool and prompting people to try to raise the thermostat.
Propane boilers that qualify for the Energy Star label have energy efficiency ratings of at least 85 percent. And a propane boiler can last 30 year—or more with good maintenance. What’s more, a propane-powered boiler has the versatility to provide space heating, water heating, and even snow melt.
Commercial propane heating equipment offers a wide range of capacity as well as flexibility, ranging from 44,000 Btu with efficiency levels of up to 98 percent, to capacities as large as 225,000 Btu and higher. Depending on the type of heating required—for example, for multiple smaller tenants or one large one, you can take advantage of roof-top units, multiple smaller furnaces that can meet the heating needs of specific parts of the building. That type of zoning ability not only improves efficiency, but offers great value for tenants.
If you are heating your building with propane, it only makes sense to use this versatile and efficient fuel for at least a few of the many other uses it has. Even if the only need for hot water in your commercial building is for restrooms, you need hot water—and propane is ideal for heating water. Depending on the needs of your operation or your tenants, you can install a single propane tank water heater or multiple, individual tankless units for each tenant. Individual on-demand water heaters mean you (or your tenants) aren’t paying to heat water over weekends and at night, unless they need to.
Whether you are operating your own business or have commercial tenants, imagine the value you can offer with a propane generator. With a tank for commercial propane heating on premises, you can also power a propane backup generator that will turn on automatically in the event of a power outage. It can be set up to operate essential systems for your building and your tenants, protecting perishables, keeping security systems and computer systems online and operating until the utilities can make repairs.
A commercial propane heating system for your building can help you save money and offer real value to your tenants. We have the experience to make sure you have the right size tank to service your building and set up a customized automatic delivery schedule for you.
Find out why so many commercial building owners prefer Midway! Contact us for more information today.
With our mostly moderate winters, it can be hard to know when to fire up your home’s main heating system for the season—and with it your energy costs. With daytime temps that stay in the 50s well into December, you don’t really need to heat your whole house, especially if you are out most of the day, but you might want to take the chill out of some rooms.
That’s why we recommend propane space heaters as an effective and efficient way to supplement your main heating system by keeping certain spaces comfortable without spending money to warm spaces you aren’t using.
Once the cold weather kicks in, propane space heaters can still help you save money on heating costs. The trick is to lower the thermostat for your house, and use space heaters to warm the rooms you are using, when you are using them. Think of it this way: When you use your furnace or boiler to heat your home, you’re heating all the rooms, all the time. With space heaters, you can set your thermostat to about 60 (to prevent pipes from freezing) and then heat spaces individually. This is a great option if you have a larger home with rooms that don’t get used all the time.
Propane space heaters are also a great way to warm hard-to-heat spaces, like finished attics, additions, and any other rooms that don’t get sufficient heat from your main system.
When it comes to choosing a propane space heater, you have a lot of options. Do you want a wall-mounted or freestanding unit? Do you want radiant or circulating heating? Do you want a vented heater or an unvented (also called a vent-free) heater? What’s the difference?
Propane space heaters are easy to install and require no ductwork. We have a range of wall-mounted and free-standing models from Empire and Heatstar that can warm up just about any size space. Many units are self-adjusting, with variable-speed blowers to eliminate cold spots for consistent, even heat. Temperature-sensing technology controls output, maintaining your desired temperature and saving you (more) money.
Still not sure which propane space heater is right for your space? Come by our Martinsville showroom and let the professionals at Midway help you choose the best option for you and your space. Contact us for more information today.
There’s a reason you’ll never see a chef trying to heat a pot or skillet over an electric coil. Just look in the kitchen of your favorite restaurant and you’ll see a gas-fired range. But you don’t need to be a professional chef to appreciate the benefits of cooking with a gas stove. Even many fast-food burger joints use gas-fired grills to get consistent results. Here are 7 reasons you’ll love cooking with a propane stove, too:
Want to learn more? The pros at Midway can answer all your questions, and help make adding a propane range and other appliances to your home easy. Contact us today for more information.
Nothing beats the warmth and charm of a fire on a raw, damp winter evening. That’s why propane fireplaces are so popular with our customers: They are a great option for supplemental heat that looks as good as it works.
One of the questions that people ask when they visit our showroom is whether propane fireplaces are expensive to run. And of course, the answer is that it depends on a lot of factors: if you use your fireplace every night, it will cost more than if you just light it on weekends. If your home is well-insulated, you may not need to turn it up as high. And of course, the price of propane can be a factor.
The real question is should be whether a propane fireplace is efficient to run.
And people love to learn that propane fireplaces run at about 80 percent efficiency—which makes them four or five times more efficient than a wood-burning fireplace.
A big reason a propane gas log is more efficient than a wood fire is the chimney—or lack thereof. A wood fire needs a chimney to burn safely, but as much as 90 percent of the heat is sucked up the chimney along with smoke and combustion gasses.
On the other hand, a propane insert using direct venting only needs a single dual-chambered pipe directly through a wall to the outdoors. The pipe simultaneously draws air for the fire from the outdoors, while it expels the fire’s combustion byproducts to the outside. Ventless models have a regulator that produces a fine gas-air mix that allows the gas to burn cleanly. You don’t even need a chimney or a flue. Either way, it means all the heat stays in the room, instead of going up the chimney.
With a wood fire, you need to pay constant attention, adding logs and poking embers, or your fire wil die down and your room will get cold. With today’s propane logs, a remote control and a thermostat lets you dial up the heat you want—which is great not only for controlling temperature, but for controlling your propane use. Those electric igniters are also more efficient than a standing pilot light.
Another feature you don’t get with a wood fireplace are multispeed blowers that push warm air into the room, providing better, more even heat—especially in larger spaces like great rooms.
Lastly, they let you spend time enjoying time with family and friends, not tending a fire—how efficient is that?
Converting a traditional fireplace to a maintenance-free, efficient propane hearth with a gas log insert is easy—and inexpensive. But thanks to minimal space requirements between the fireplace and wallboard or wood, a gas hearth can be installed almost anywhere. That means you can incorporate cozy charm into just about any room, including living rooms and family rooms, but also kitchens and dining rooms. Create your dream master suite or a spa-like bathroom escape, just by adding a gas fireplace.
Stop by our showroom and let the team at Midway show you how easy and affordable installing a gas fireplace can be. We service and install everything we sell, with stylish options from Heatmaster, Golden Blount, Empire and R.H. Peterson. Contact us for more information today.
When it comes to heating your home, there’s a lot to consider. While there’s growing pressure to switch to electric heat, that could be the least efficient option for our climate. That leaves heating oil and propane. So, what’s the best option for your home? If your current system is fairly new and performing well, there’s no reason to change. But if it’s time to replace your old heating system, or you’re building a new home, it’s smart to consider the benefits and downsides of each—and see why propane could be the best option.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the bigger points:
Compared to heating oil, which has basically just one use, propane offers great value due to its versatility. Propane appliances are very efficient, meaning they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. Propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
Midway also offers great value: We make it easy to do business with us with convenient automatic delivery service, budget-friendly payment options to keep bills manageable, and friendly and responsive customer service reps to take your call.
There’s a reason homeowners and businesses in southwestern Virginia rely on Midway for propane service. Contact us today to learn more.
When you’re running a food-service business, you need a cooking method that’s fast, precise, and efficient.
That’s why, whether you’ve got an upscale restaurant, a casual diner, a food truck, or a catering business, you want the power and versatility of propane. Propane delivers precise temperature control and fast, consistent heat that enables your team to serve up a high volume of food without sacrificing quality.
But propane offers more benefits that can make a big difference to your bottom line, and impress your customers, too. Here are three ways using propane in your commercial kitchen can have a big impact (that can make sense at home, too!).
Professional chefs prefer cooking with gas for a reason. Propane produces an instant flame with plenty of Btus—that’s heating energy. There’s no waiting for burners to come to temperature. And propane allows for accurate, fast temperature control at the turn of a knob. That means the money you invest on fresh ingredients isn’t wasted on over- or undercooked food.
Another key benefit of propane is the value it brings due to its versatility. Not only is propane utilized in restaurants to heat grill tops and cooktop burners, but it’s also used in a variety of commercial kitchen equipment. Using propane for your commercial kitchen appliances provides you with the sizzle your broiler requires to sear those delicious steaks and chops and flawlessly melt a cheese topping. Not only do Pizza ovens, steam tables, buffets, deep fryers and other appliances run on propane, but propane is an energy-efficient fuel for heating water for sinks and dishwashers. If you do some or all of your establishment’s laundry on-site, it runs clothes washers and dryers, too.
Propane can also help boost revenue by helping you expand your outdoor service. Propane-powered patio and deck heaters, fire pits, and hearths add ambiance while giving warmth and comfort—and extending your outdoor dining season. Propane can also be used to operate outdoor lighting with a warm glow.
With a propane-powered kitchen and a propane standby generator, even the loss of electricity cannot close your doors. A propane standby generator will not only maintain power, but it will also keep your coolers, refrigerators and freezers running and preventing major loss of food. And of course, with Midway’s dependable commercial propane service, you will always have a ready supply.
The restaurant business is very competitive. Midway can customize commercial gas services to help your restaurant or commercial kitchen succeed. Whether you’re an arty bistro, a school cafeteria, or any other food service operation, we’ll work with you to find the right delivery schedule—and adjust it as your needs change. Have multiple locations? We can set you up with wireless tank monitors so you can even track your use across your chain.
Get in touch with us and find out how we can help your food service business thrive.
Hello, summer! Long days and warm nights are perfect for grilling up your favorite foods for family, friends—or the whole block! If your grill’s best days are over, now is the time to add some new sizzle to your deck or patio. Midway has a great selection of propane grills from Broilmaster, Firemagic, and Phoenix and a team of experts who can help you chose the best grill for your needs.
We know there are some people who have strong feelings about whether charcoal grilling is better than gas. But except for a very specific type of barbecue and smoked foods, a propane grill will perform better. In fact, you can achieve a slow cooked, smoked effect with a propane grill with just some simple tricks.
From easier cooking to healthier foods to safety, there are plenty of reasons why propane is better than charcoal.
A propane grill makes outdoor cooking as easy as turning on your kitchen cooktop: Flip a switch, turn a knob and set your heat level. There’s less waiting time, too, because a propane grill is hot and ready to go in about 10 minutes. Compare that to 30 minutes or more to get charcoal hot.
And, just like your gas range, you get precise control with your propane grill. That kind of temperature control means you can grill all kinds of food, from meat to more delicate food, including fish, vegetables and even fruit. You can also close the lid to maximize heat (and increase efficiency). Try that with a charcoal grill, and you’ll smother your coals.
Speaking of efficiency, propane grills are a cinch to clean. They cool down quickly, and just require a once-over with a wire brush to remove food particles. Then wipe down the grate with a cloth dipped in vegetable oil. With charcoal, there’s ash that blows everywhere, and the danger of hot coals that can smolder and reignite.
A propane grill is cost-efficient, too. While a gas grill might be a little more expensive compared to a charcoal set up, a 20-pound bag of charcoal will only get you through three meals, and can cost anywhere from $10 to $60, depending on the type of charcoal you use. On the other hand, filling up a 20-pound cylinder is around $20 and lasts for about 25 grilling sessions.
In addition to the practicalities of actual grilling with propane, there’s one other distinct advantage that make a propane grill the best choice. With a propane grill, you can connect directly to your home’s propane storage tank, eliminating the need for portable propane tanks. You can create your dream outdoor kitchen, with built-in equipment.
Of course, you can always keep a charcoal grill for the ultimate smoky, low and slow barbecue. And, we get it: Some people really like the whole process of setting up the charcoal, messing with lighter fluid, nursing the flame and waiting for the coals to get hot enough. But the bottom line is that propane makes grilling an easy, healthy option for even a busy weeknight, instead of just the weekend.
Ready to see the possibilities? Come visit our Martinsville showroom. Whether you’re looking create a deluxe outdoor kitchen and entertaining space, or just need to replace your old propane grill, Midway has options ranging from basic, classic styles to top-of-the-line built-in units.
Whatever you need, our trained, experienced propane service technicians will safely and properly connect your new built-in gas grill to your home’s propane supply.
Prefer to use a propane cylinder? Take advantage of our convenient cylinder exchange. Contact us today.
Farming and agricultural businesses represents the lion’s share of private businesses in Virginia. Poultry, cattle, dairy farming, corn, and tobacco, along with many other crops, are a big part of our economy, and 90 percent of those operations are family-run. Midway has been supporting locally based, family-run agricultural businesses for decades, and we understand their needs. We know propane is a vital element to keep farms running smoothly and cost-effectively.
We know everyone is feeling the sting of higher energy costs, especially agriculture. But farmers continue to embrace propane because it’s energy efficient—that means more bang for the buck when it comes to all kinds of operations. For example, propane-powered irrigation engines cost less to operate, and deliver high horsepower and low emissions. And crop drying with propane offers such highly efficient performance that you’ll make the most of your profit potential while minimizing any crop loss. That’s why it’s also smart for barn heating: Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity. Here are just a few of the ways it can help you save:
Whether you are growing crops or raising livestock, propane can work for you in many ways:
Ultimately, propane is a smart choice for your modern farm. It’s a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, clean and portable fuel. Propane does not degrade over time, either, and it won’t contaminate your soil or water, which is a real risk with gasoline or diesel if it spills.
Talk to our team. Whatever your needs, we can work with you to develop a delivery schedule based on your usage patterns, the season, and the weather. We’ll make sure you have the right size storage tanks, places conveniently and installed safely. Need a refillable cylinder station to use with mowers, forklifts and other equipment? We can set you up.
We can also help you with back-up generation for essential buildings, so you can keep heat or refrigeration running through a power outage—potentially saving you from big losses.
If you want to learn more about how propane can help your agricultural business thrive, contact the pros at Midway. We’ve been partnering with agricultural businesses of all sizes throughout Southwestern Virginia to help them maximize efficiency and savings. We look forward to helping you, too!
