What should retailers do during the summer?

September 16, 2025 By LP Gas 0 Comments

Everyone in the industry always talks about the winter – the cold, the snow. But what should retailers do during the summer? Answers from the LPG Editorial Advisory Board:

Answers from the LPG Editorial Advisory Board:

“Winter often takes center stage in our industry, but summer brings challenges of its own. High heat can cause propane to expand, leading to tank over-pressurization. Driver education on proper tank-fill levels is critical. Also keep a close watch for equipment strain at plants and bulk facilities. Preventive maintenance is a must. Equally important is protecting employees working in the field.”

– Christina Armentano, executive vice president & COO, Paraco Gas, Rye Brook, New York

Jaenicke

“Some of the things propane retailers can do to keep employees safe and healthy in summer heat waves are making sure they are staying hydrated by making plenty of water and other drinks available, keeping all truck air conditioners in proper working order and providing safety-approved lightweight summer workwear. Keeping propane customers safe during summer months can focus on reminders to store spare grill tanks outside of buildings and giving other safe grilling tips.”

– Tom Jaenicke, Propane Specialist, ATomiK Creative Solutions, Charlevoix, Michigan

“While winter dominates propane industry discussions, summer brings unique challenges that demand attention. Retailers should focus on routine equipment maintenance and implement employee heat safety protocols while leveraging early fill-up promotions to manage inventory and maintain customer engagement during heat waves. A budget billing program rolled out in the spring can also provide more cash flow in the summer months.”

– Dustin Delay, Vice President, Cost Management Solutions, Houston, Texas

“Tankless water heaters are a huge item for us, and hurricanes are a common part of our weather pattern. Installing monitors and properly sizing customer tanks ensures they will have plenty of propane for their generators and have hot water for their family when the power grid goes down.”

– Dan Richardson, president & CEO, Conger LP Gas, Tifton, Georgia

“Educate. Education is everything. Educate your employees and your customers through employee training and consumer safety education on the effects of and what to do when high heat or severe weather is approaching. Teach employees about heat-related illnesses. Teach them about what to do if severe weather is approaching. Teach employees about heat-related illnesses. Teach them about what to do if severe weather is approaching. Through consumer safety education, speak to your customers on what to do if you’ve got severe weather coming, like a hurricane or a flood or if you’ve got a tornado warning.”

– Mike Walters, vice president, safety & fleet, Superior Energy Systems, Columbia Station, Ohio

“For propane retailers in Washington, harvest season is an intense late-summer sprint that requires well-serviced trucks, drivers ready for overtime and close monitoring of the weather. Overcast or damp days demand more propane to properly dry crops and ensure safe storage and packaging.”

– Dennis Halverson, propane product manager, Christensen Inc., Richland, Washington

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