By: Joshua Johnson

Cremations:

There are pros and cons to using both natural gas and propane as crematory fuels, heavily influenced by their availability in your crematory’s location. If you’re struggling to make a choice between natural gas and propane, you have to exercise due diligence and precisely calculate which is best for you. Doing so will help your operating costs tremendously.

One crematory that has faced this situation head on is First State Cremation Center, Inc., in Millsboro, Del., which opened in May 2009. American funeral Director asked one of First State Cremation Center’s shareholders, David Salmon, how the company arrived at its decision.

Q: How has the natural gas versus propane situation changed for you over the years?

A: Our facility is a new venture whereby several funeral home owners and myself, a licensee without a funeral home, combined their resources to construct a facility like no other in our area. We built our facility from the ground up as a cremation center, recognizing the increased consumer demand for cremation combined with the opportunity to provide client families a state-of-art facility and incorporating a witnessing room, a pet crematory and a pet merchandise resource center.

Once the shareholders accepted the building design we contacted the natural gas distributor in our area, only to find out that there was a natural gas distribution line that ran in front of our building site, not a supply line we could tap into. In order for us to gain access to natural gas we would have to purchase a “Christmas tree” valve at $50,000, plus the cost of trenching a gas line to the building. Hence, plan B.

We sent out bid letters to four propane gas distributors in our area. Three responded. Of the three, one distributor was 4 cents less per gallon then the next lowest bidder. The price points from the three responders were a total of 7 cents difference. Now, that may not seem like much, however, when you factor in the volume we anticipated through historical cremation call data per the funeral home owners, plus a 3-4 percent annual increase in cremation call volume and adding in the pet crematory, the projected volume, on an annual basis, 7 cents is a significant number. We’re anticipating a 20,000 gallon first-year volume.

The fact that the natural gas option was way out of the budget turned out to be a blessing. With natural gas, the Public Utilities Commission regulates these suppliers in Delaware. Propane distributors are not (regulated), and the opportunity exists to bid-out propane.

Certainly, based on volume, a crematory facility may have some leverage with the natural gas supplier, but on the propane side, even a mid- to high-volume facility may garner a better price per gallon than with natural gas.

To keep everyone honest, based on the bid price, we found OPIS (a division of UCG, the parent company of Kates-Boylston). When we receive a propane delivery, our crematory technician notifies me of the gallon amount, price per gallon and the hazmat charge, I receive via e-mail the daily “rack rate” from OPIS. Our terms and conditions with our propane supplier are as follows: The rack rate at Delaware City, Del., where they receive their fuel, plus a per-gallon transport fee which is currently 11 cents per gallon, plus the bid amount. These three prices combined add up to our per-gallon price.

As it turned out, our first delivery was priced at typical commercial pricing. I notified the distributor and advised them that I was an OPIS subscriber and based on our bid contract they were at 70 cents over contract. They made the corrections in their computer and the subsequent two deliveries have been spot on with the OPIS price guide.

Q: Do you believe one method is more efficient than the other?

A: I’m not confident that one fuel is better over the other. Some like the convenience of not having a fuel delivery truck on site, plus not having to deal with underground or above-ground storage tanks. Ultimately, a crematory operation should spend a great deal of time looking at the peaks and valleys of fuel prices of any source and determine the volatility of each compared to the price.

We have three 1,000-gallon tanks buried on the premises to handle the projected at 1.6 months worth of operation (with reserve). We have installed high-pressure meters (at $225 each) for each unit to get readings at the start of a cremation and at the end of a cremation to determine fuel consumption in 100-cubic-feet increments for humans and pets. Based on usage and applying the conversion formula from cubic feet to gallons, we are able to zero in on the gallons of usage per cremation within 100 cubic feet (the meter factor).

Our units are using at 23 gallons for the first cremation and at a 15 percent reduction in fuel usage for each subsequent cremation. Based on Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control code we can operate during daylight hours.

There have been discussions as to which fuel burns hotter (propane), yet which fuel is deemed more efficient and less costly (natural gas). In my opinion, based on last year’s run up in oil, gasoline, propane and natural gas prices and the volatility in the oil markets, whatever fuel a crematory is using (and yes, there are some out there still using heating fuel oil in their units) it makes sense to get the most out of your dollars by shopping around or meeting with the natural gas supplier to try and negotiate a better price.

If a crematory is currently using natural gas and is considering switching to propane, there will be some cost involved (i.e., the burner orifice, the thermal-coupler, spark plugs, etc.) Plus it will require propane tanks, or tying you to the supplier to provide the tanks. If you purchase the tanks, be certain you get a certificate of sale with the tank ID/serial numbers on the documentation, along with the meters and pressure valves where applicable.

The piping for natural gas is the large, 2-inch pipe. This is the pipe we installed and is fine for propane. The propane meters are high-pressure, and the system must maintain an 11-inch water column during the entire operation.

Q: Do you know of any other crematories that are going through the same situation?

A: I shared this information with a funeral home/crematory operation I know in Virginia. He had suspected that his fuel usage was at 40 gallons of propane per cremation. After reading his meter and using the formula to calculate fuel usage, he contacted his propane dealer. The difference in what he was billed and what he used was significant. They discovered a leak between the tank and the meter. He was issued a credit of $5,200. That’s at 2,500 to 3,000 gallons of propane he had paid for and didn’t use. If he hadn’t had a meter, this would have been extremely difficult to prove.

The conversion formulas are readily available online for all fuel types. You will need a source (OPIS) to determine the rack rate from the port your distributor is receiving propane or pipeline for natural gas. However, unless your unit is metered, using the fuel conversion formula and subscribing to OPIS is a moot point.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

We have provided important accurate information needed by the consumer in order to make informed decisions. Whether you utilize our site for the free online grief support or your loved one was a veteran and benefit information is needed or you just have questions about Tennessee Cremation Click Here process and our many options, let us offer our helping hand.

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By: Ewen Chia

Having a dwarf hamster as a pet is not a joke. These are definitely beautiful and adorable but the amount of attention and care they need is too much. But the fact that these are so cute would just let you have these without bothering much about the exhausting work around these small little pets. Unlike the dogs, cat, or other pet birds, these hamsters need to be tackled with care. The following dwarf hamster tips would help you make your life and the life of the hamsters that you have blissful –

Most of the people would not know much about the hamsters when they are deciding to have these as pets. They would just get locked with the cute pets that these are and would want them. However, before you get these to your house you should possibly know whatever you can about these hamsters. As a presumptive approach might harm the health and well being of the pet. These are sensitive pets and they need extra care. You should read and educate yourself and then decide if you would want to get these as pets. Knowing how to distinguish the male and female hamsters is very crucial if you are the hamster owner. The hamsters are sexually quite active. These are ready to mate from a very early age. In case you are ignorant about sexing them, you might end up putting the male and female in the same cage, result would be one getting pregnant. Unless you want them to breed these should be kept far apart. The cage that you have for the hamsters, should be as close as it could be to their natural hesitate. Thick substrate should be layered at the bottom of the cage. Adequate humps and nests should be there for the humps to play and dig. Plastic tubes that would substitute tunnels that they naturally live in would add to their being in the natural surrounding. You could also place a small wheel, which they could use to run on. The hamsters are very active creatures, placing a wheel that way would allow them to run as much. Another very essential dwarf hamster tips would be to monitor the cage in case you have added another hamster to the cages. As the one which would have been residing before would have grown used to being alone. Hence, it might give a hard time to the new addition. In case you are planning to get more than one hamster get the once that are from the same breed and have the same built.  As the hamsters would gel well with the other hamsters of the same breed and size. Some initial friction would be noticed in case hamsters of different breed are put in one cage. Keeping a regular check on the cage is one of the most important dwarf hamster tips as these would be living in that place, the hamster owner should ensure that it is in proper shape with no cracks or holes. The water supplies are fine and the hamsters and ample to eat and drink.

Are you looking for more information on dwarf hamsters tips? Visit http://www.HamsterDwarf.com today for your complete guide!

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By: Laura Ramirez
Cat nasal cancer occurs infrequently but it when it does strike, it is usually with deadly results.  Tumors can develop in either the nasal cavity itself or in the frontal sinuses.  While nasal cancer does not usually spread, it is almost always malignant.  Like all forms of feline cancer, the best way to avoid it is by doing everything you can to ensure the overall good health of your cat.

The main difficulty in identifying and treating feline nasal cancer is that the symptoms do not manifest quickly.  Symptoms can remain dormant for as long as five years, by which time the cancer will have moved long past the treatable stage.   The symptoms of nasal cancer vary depending on the location of the tumor.  Tumors within the nasal cavity itself can cause nasal discharge and sneezing, while those in the frontal sinuses can cause heavy breathing, changes in the sound of the voice, and sometimes even facial deformity.

If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from cat nasal cancer, you should get it to the vet as quickly as possible for a thorough examination.  The only way to accurately diagnose nasal cancer is with a range of tests including blood tests, a biopsy and a CT or MRI.   Unfortunately, once a diagnosis is made the likelihood of successful treatment is slim.

Treatment of feline nasal cancer usually consists of a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.   In some cases, surgical extraction of the tumor may be possible but because the nasal cavity in cats is actually quite deep, tumors are often out of reach of most surgical procedures.   Even with radiation and chemotherapy, survival is usually limited to several weeks at most.

As with most forms of cancer, the key to fighting cat nasal cancer is prevention.  The more you can do to ensure your cat’s overall health, the better the chances that it will be able to avoid developing cancer or other serious illness.  This means feeding it a proper, balanced diet free of artificial preservatives and colorings, and making sure it has unlimited access to a clean water source.

Another important step in preventing feline nasal cancer and other illnesses is making sure that your cat has access to the healing power of nature.  Many plants and herbs can prove helpful in terms of strengthening the immune system, ensuring proper liver function and maintaining the health of the lymphatic system, all keys to fighting off cancer.  In the wild, animals will be naturally drawn to these plants.  In order to reap their benefits, domestic pets require some intervention by their owners in the form of natural supplements.

There are a range of products available which combine the best nature has to offer, including plants like Milk Thistle, Mistletoe and Echinacea.  These plants and others like them work to supply your cat with the nutrients, antioxidants and other substances it needs to fight cat nasal cancer, while strengthening the immune system and promoting vitality.

No-one likes to consider the idea of watching their pet battle cancer.  With the help of natural supplements, you can give your pet the tools it needs to live healthy and be happy.  Make the natural choice today and you can help your pet avoid cancer altogether.

Laura Ramirez is a passionate researcher of products that help restore health and vitality to pets and people and keep their immune system strong for prevention. To learn more about her findings, go to www.pet-health-supplements.com.

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By: Jack Authors

Lots of people have a natural love for animals and this is why such a large number of us have pets.  It may be a dog, a hamster, a cat or a rabbit; but whatever creature we care for, it can play a very big role of our lives.  Animals often have a very strong personality and will frequently become a big part of our family.  Over the years they will offer us a great deal of love, enjoyment and companionship whilst asking for very little in return.

If you only keep a relatively small animal then pet supplies and food will not cause you too much expense.  To feed a cat, dog or bird will not cost you very much at all.  Even so, you can still save yourself a lot of money if you buy your items from a certain place.  And if you have a larger animal to look after, such as a horse, then your savings can be astronomical!

Online suppliers will normally be able to beat most high street outlets with their prices hands down.  They do not have the same overheads to consider as offline suppliers do, so they are able to reduce the cost of their products accordingly.  This is great news for customers as they can save themselves an awful lot of money and it is good for the company because their low prices will attract a far larger amount of customers.

Something else to bear in mind when you are ordering your pet supplies online is that you will pay far less in the long run by purchasing your items in bulk.  This may not be breaking news as many of us will employ similar tactics when we are buying groceries or household goods from the supermarket.  However, you would be surprised at just how many people there are who have still not caught on to this money saving idea.

The difference in price, when you are purchasing items in large amounts can be immense.  If you are only buying a couple of bags of dog biscuits at a time from an offline supplier, then they can work out at almost half the price if you are purchasing them in bulk.  Not only that, but instead of having to go down to your local pet store every other week, you can stock up on plenty of items and store them.  Once you have filled your cupboard with plenty of pet supplies, you will not have to worry about buying anything for quite some time.

Using an offline supplier can also be a nuisance a lot of the time, with no parking nearby and a long walk to your car with heavy bags.  If you have a look on the internet for a company who specialise in supplies for your pet then it can make your life so much easier.  Why drive into town and struggle with weighty bags of food, when you can simply have it all delivered right to your door?

GJW Titmuss was founded by George Titmuss in 1870 and is one of the UK’s leading family owned pet supplies, food and pet accessories businesses. GJW Titmuss boasts an outstanding range of pet supplies and accessories catering for all types of pets including dogs, cats, poultry, pond fish, small animals, horses and more.

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By: Chris Carson

Having a dwarf hamster as a pet is not a joke. These are definitely beautiful and adorable but the amount of attention and care they need is too much. But the fact that these are so cute would just let you have these without bothering much about the exhausting work around these small little pets. Unlike the dogs, cat, or other pet birds, these hamsters need to be tackled with care. The following dwarf hamster tips would help you make your life and the life of the hamsters that you have blissful -

* Most of the people would not know much about the hamsters when they are deciding to have these as pets. They would just get locked with the cute pets that these are and would want them. However, before you get these to your house you should possibly know whatever you can about these hamsters. As a presumptive approach might harm the health and well being of the pet. These are sensitive pets and they need extra care. You should read and educate yourself and then decide if you would want to get these as pets.

* Knowing how to distinguish the male and female hamsters is very crucial if you are the hamster owner. The hamsters are sexually quite active. These are ready to mate from a very early age. In case you are ignorant about sexing them, you might end up putting the male and female in the same cage, result would be one getting pregnant. Unless you want them to breed these should be kept far apart.

* The cage that you have for the hamsters, should be as close as it could be to their natural hesitate. Thick substrate should be layered at the bottom of the cage. Adequate humps and nests should be there for the humps to play and dig. Plastic tubes that would substitute tunnels that they naturally live in would add to their being in the natural surrounding. You could also place a small wheel, which they could use to run on. The hamsters are very active creatures, placing a wheel that way would allow them to run as much.

* Another very essential dwarf hamster tips would be to monitor the cage in case you have added another hamster to the cages. As the one which would have been residing before would have grown used to being alone. Hence, it might give a hard time to the new addition.

* In case you are planning to get more than one hamster get the once that are from the same breed and have the same built. As the hamsters would gel well with the other hamsters of the same breed and size. Some initial friction would be noticed in case hamsters of different breed are put in one cage.

* Keeping a regular check on the cage is one of the most important dwarf hamster tips as these would be living in that place, the hamster owner should ensure that it is in proper shape with no cracks or holes. The water supplies are fine and the hamsters and ample to eat and drink.

Are you looking for more information on dwarf hamsters tips? Visit http://www.HamsterDwarf.com today for your complete guide!

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1. DWARF HAMSTER TIPS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PET HAMSTER BETTER Having a dwarf hamster as a pet is not a...
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3. Fascinating Syrian Hamster Facts By: Adam KingAlthough there are several types of hamsters occurring...