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Watch Jeff Satterwhite’s video below to learn about what LP Gas Tanks are, why we need them in Southeastern NC and what is different about them compared to Natural Gas.

Centerline Construction Chat – LP Gas tanks

In this area of NC, there is no natural gas  – most people from the north and populated cities are used to natural gas piped to your home with a big blue regulator that regulates the gas pressure in your home.

We rely on LP Gas here since we don’t have that. There is a tank under the ground, they come in different sizes from 300 up to 1,000 gallons. Most homes have between 350-500 gallon tank.

Normal system is a ½ psi for pressure for propane, sometimes it will be a 2 psi system if you have a large requirement for natural gas, if you’re heating off LP or you have a backup generator. Ther is a regulator on there showing it is filled to 85%, never filled to 100% because there is always room for expansion.

This tank has a regulator that will regulate the pressure for the entire house, your gas tank, backup generator, heating and AC, cooking, fireplace, etc. will all work off the LP just like natural gas. The only difference is that gas appliances will have to have the orifice changed, because LP and natural gas are different sized molecules that burn differently so they have a different sized orifice for the actual burner inside the item.

For questions or to learn more, contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com

To watch other Centerline Construction Chat tutorials, click here
Click Here to watch our last Centerline Construction Chat video about Painting

Thank you to everyone who came out to the 2012 Brunswick County Parade of Homes this year. It was a great success and we appreciate your attendance!

Check out some of the photos:

For questions or to learn more, contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com

Watch Jeff Satterwhite discuss what backup generators are and how they work below.

Backup generators – The generator is about the size of a large suitcase. This one is a 20kw backup generator that runs off a propane tank in the ground, which turns on automatically if you lose power.

When the main line breaker panel loses power, the generator automatically switch changes from line power to generator power. The items on the generator circuit will be up and operational at that point. The process can take 30 seconds to one minute.

When the line power comes back, the automatic switch will change back to line power and run the generator for a two-minute cooling cycle, then turn itself off.

A backup generator is a nice luxury to have. It is not necessarily needed in Southport  and Brunswick County since we have underground power which is stable. But we do live in an electric world so it is a nice luxury to have in the case of a heavy storm.

It would have been a nice addition to the recent Sandy that swept through the Northeast.

For questions or to learn more, contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com

To watch other Centerline Construction Chat tutorials, click here
To see other videos from Jeff Satterwhite, click here

Brunswick County Beaches make up some of the most beautiful coastline in the country and are unique in that they are each islands and provide their own individual character and beauty. The Beaches of Brunswick County are made up of:

Baldhead Island – Bald Head Island is unlike any of the county’s other islands in that it is only accessible by powerboat or a pedestrian ferry. Once on the island, visitors and residents travel around the island by golf carts or bikes. Bald Head Island offers a true escape from the everyday world. This island is also home to Old Baldy, the eight-sided brick lighthouse that was built in 1818. Guests can take a tour of the lighthouse and even climb up 108 wooden steps to the top.

Oak Island – Oak Island is the largest beach community in North Carolina and features the largest commercial district of all the Brunswick County islands. This island offers more than 50 public beach accesses, several boat ramps, recreational areas and a skate park. The Town of Oak Island has an active Sea Turtle Protection Program and the beaches are a focal point for the protection of sea turtle nesting and habitats. The town’s Recreation Department also features a turtle display in their Ocean Education Center.

Holden Beach – Holden Beach boasts some of the most spectacular homes in our area and has officially received National Healthy Beach status through the National Healthy Beaches Campaign. Among its other recognitions, Holden was rated one of the best family beaches in the country by National Geographic Traveler magazine. In order to truly experience the culture of this beach, visit during one of its annual festivals, A Day at the Docks in April and Festival by the Sea in October.

Ocean Isle Beach – Ocean Isle Beach offers seven miles of family fun. Beyond the beach, there are many activities to enjoy including fishing charters, public tennis courts, kayaking on the Intracoastal Waterway and of course, golf. The Museum of Coastal Carolina also resides on the island and offers visitors information on the natural history of the region and historical artifacts. Ocean Isle is also the home for the North Carolina Oyster Festival.

Sunset Beach – Sunset Beach received its name from the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that can be seen from the island due to its unique southern exposure. Beyond the sunsets, this beach is also known for its powdery white sand. Another unique feature of the island is Bird Island, an undeveloped and secluded island that can only be accessed by land by way of Sunset Beach. The inland side of Sunset features several golf courses, Ingram Planetarium and Sea Trail Golf Resort & Convention Center. Sunset Beach is the home of the annual Sunset at Sunset Festival in October!

For more info on Brunswick County beaches, Click Here

What is your favorite Brunswick County Beach?
Contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com

Map Image credit: www.sunsetbeach-northcarolina.com/ourarea.htm
Info credit: www.brunswickcountychamber.org/pages/BeachCommunities/

The 2012 Parade of Homes is coming up in October! Jeff Satterwhite will have 2 homes in St. James Plantation and one in Ocean Ridge. Be sure to stop by!

The Dates for the 2012 Parade of Homes:

St. James Plantation POA open house: October 6th-7th

Parade of Homes: October 20th-21 and 27th-28th, 12noon – 5pm each day

Click Here for more info on the 2012 Parade of Homes

For questions or to learn more, contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com

In this video, Jeff Satterwhite explains Grinder Pumps – what they are, how they work and how to know when yours is not working! See below for the text version.

Grinder Pumps

Grinder Pump Tub – This is 6 feet deep and as wide as the circumference of the lid. It is basically a big fiberglass bucket in the ground, and when you flush your toilet, the gray water from it runs into this bucket, underground. There is a 4-inch line running from your toilet into the tank, falling to the bottom.

There is a big huge grinder pump or a macerator that sits at the bottom of the bucket with a float, when the bucket fills to a certain level, the float flips on the switch and it grinds the material like a blender and pumps it into the street through a 2-inch line.

You need to be careful with your grinder pump, because it is like a blender in that it has a large blade and it can get clogged.

The control box – Is a 220 volt controller that controls the grinder pump and the switches in the tank. If the red light is blinking and there is an alarm going off on the control box, then the grinder pump (macerator) is not working and the alarm float is to its max level since the grinder is not working.

If this happens, you must call the county (Brunswick County) for them to come over and take care of your problem.

For questions or to learn more, contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com

To watch other Centerline Construction Chat tutorials, click here
To see other videos from Jeff Satterwhite, click here

With the large ‘range’ of options available, it can be overwhelming to narrow the field to choosing between gas or electric, and furthermore, deciding on a model. Many people have strong opinions and swear by one or the other. In reality, they will both get the job done and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Before You Shop for your Gas or Electric Range

1. Measure Up!
Check the dimensions of the range you’re interested in to help ensure a proper fit. Look for installation instructions on each range for those dimensions.

2. Are you a Multi-task Cook?
For most people, a cooktop with four burners will work fine. If you love to cook, have a large family or entertain often, you may want the professional appearance and flexibility of five or more burners? Just a thought.

3. It’s Getting Hot in Here.
Think about finding a cooktop with a power burner to quickly bring foods to a boil. Or, try a simmer burner to prepare light sauces using low and even heat. If you use basic pots and pans, a dual-element burner is perfect for controlled simmering with small pans, and then you can use the outer ring for larger pans.

4. Cabinet Space?
Ranges can be freestanding, slide-in or drop-in. Freestanding is best if either side isn’t next to a cabinet, whereas a slide-in is best if it’s between two cabinets.

5. Top Chef or Heat and Eat?
Home chefs should look for high performance and precision features. Many prefer the performance of gas or the precision of induction. For the everyday cook, convenience and flexibility may be more important. Consider a smooth-top radiant cooktop for easy-to-clean functionality.

A Deeper Look

A major consideration for anyone purchasing a new kitchen range is cost. Overall, electric ranges are less expensive to manufacture making them less expensive to purchase. Cost will also be significantly less if your kitchen is pre-wired for an electric range. It can become costly if you have to have a gas line run into an existing property.

Electric Ranges

Pros:

• Less expensive to buy and install.
• Easier to clean burners and surfaces.
• Smooth-top electric ranges are more stable for pots and offer additional counter or storage space when not in use.
• Instantly turns on and off every time with the twist of a knob versus gas ranges that may sputter to catch a flame, emitting un-burned and potentially hazardous gas. No igniter or lighter necessary.
• More functions, such as additional fans and grillers, are available than their gas counterparts.
• More even heat distribution when baking.
• Dry heat for optimal oven roasting conditions.

Cons:

• Slower to cool when a burner is turned down or off.
• Subject to power outages.

Gas Ranges

Pros:

• More even stove top heat for cooking.
• Easy to gauge and precisely adjust the level of heat by altering the flame.
• Gas is inexpensive, abundantly available and clean burning.
• Gas ranges are less expensive to operate than electric ranges.
• The heat from a gas flame heats the sides, as well as the bottom, of pans, cooking food faster.
• Able to change temperature rapidly. You can immediately remove the heat when the flame is turned off, so you can still leave food on the stove to rest without continuing to cook.
• Less ambient heat to the rest of the kitchen.

Cons:

• More expensive to buy and install.
• More dangerous. Increased potential for gas leaks, the leading cause of residential fires. If a gas line is damaged or a pot boils over and quenches the flame, a home can quickly fill with toxic, flammable gas. Children or pets are also at greater risk to be burned or catch fire with an open flame.
• Diminished Baking Results. Oven temps are hotter at the top so baking requires rotation and placement farther from heat source. Gas gives off moisture when cooking, creating a humid heat rather than the dry heat required for effective roasting.

References: www.lowes.com and electric-range-review.toptenreviews.com

For questions contact Jeff Satterwhite: (910) 620-8883 or Jeff@gocenterline.com