how to prepare your propane tank for winter

Propane is a blazon of gas that tin can fuel your unabridged home throughout the year. If your house runs on propane, you might be concerned with how well it performs when it'south cold outside. Even though propane gas doesn't freeze on an average Virginia winter day, the tank can lose force per unit area and have problem powering your business firm. With the proper propane tank care, yet, you tin keep your heating appliances safe in the winter, when you lot need them the most.

Does Cold Conditions Affect Propane Tanks?

Propane tank pressure is more important than temperature. Propane can freeze, but only at temperatures that aren't common in your local surface area. A propane tank common cold temperature limit is -44 degrees Fahrenheit — at that bespeak, propane turns from a gas to a liquid. Propane can merely heat your abode when it's in a gaseous state, not when information technology'due south a liquid.

Your storage tank keeps propane in its gaseous form under high pressure. Fifty-fifty though propane is unlikely to freeze, the tank may lose pressure and make information technology more challenging for propane to power your appliances. Water ice and snow tin can as well cause a gas leak by damaging the tank's regulators, vents, and pipe.

Tin You lot Keep Propane Tanks Outside in the Winter?

Your propane tank must be stored outside and non indoors in a house, garage or shed. This is because your outdoor propane tank releases harmful carbon monoxide that could bear upon indoor air quality. Bringing your propane tank inside can as well cause the temperature within your tank to rise quickly, which can be dangerous. If you are worried about your propane tank freezing, follow the steps below to keep your tank protected from cold temperatures.

How Tin Yous Protect Your Propane Tank in the Wintertime?

Before it starts getting cold outside, a propane tank should be able to provide rut throughout the winter efficiently. Follow these propane tank condom tips to help forestall harm and emergency repairs:

  • Refill your supply of propane:At to the lowest degree once a week in the autumn, bank check the meter on your tank before the temperature starts to drop. Fifty-fifty if there'south half a tank total of propane one solar day, it could be gone past the time winter comes around. Once you notice the level dropping a little below halfway, telephone call your local propane supplier to refill your tank so that your dwelling house has enough fuel to last you through the wintertime. You wouldn't desire to accept to request an emergency refill in the middle of a snowstorm.
  • Brand an annual maintenance appointment: Be sure to also schedule an inspection to ensure the tank's components are in excellent condition. If you only use propane for oestrus, y'all may not have used the tank for several months during the summer. A technician can audit all the parts of your tank and repair small-scale problems to prevent emergencies.
  • Continue your tank visible in the snow: In case of a massive snowstorm, you should make sure you know the exact location of your tank outside. Consider driving a stick, pole or flag into your lawn near the tank so you and the technician can find and refill it in the middle of winter.
  • Clear the pathway to the tank: Besides making your propane tank easy to meet, you should also brand sure it's accessible for the technician. Articulate the style from the curb to your tank by cutting dorsum shrubbery and bushes and putting trash cans in another area.
  • Make certain you have enough fuel during a storm:You need enough propane gas to keep your home warm if you're expecting a major winter storm, so if possible, go your tank topped off before the tempest hits. Harsh weather can make it difficult for a propane technician to reach your property.
  • Keep your propane tank outside: Your outdoor propane tank releases harmful carbon monoxide that can affect your habitation'southward indoor air quality, so you lot should never bring it inside — even if it's cold and you're worried about it freezing.
  • Upgrade to a programmable thermostat: This updated device can aid yous command the temperature when you're home or abroad. Lowering the heat a few degrees throughout the mean solar day can assist you save money on free energy costs. It also puts less clothing on your propane tank, and then it can last through the cold winter. Consider investing in a smart thermostat to alter the temperature from your mobile device.
  • Limit the amount of hot h2o you use: Hot water can take up plenty of gas from your propane supply, and then you'll probably need a refill more often if you utilize it. Attempt to limit the amount of hot water you and your family utilise throughout the solar day past taking shorter showers and limiting your use of washing appliances.
  • Wear multiple layers:Instead of keeping the temperature high, you can encourage your family to article of clothing layers in the house. Wrapping yourself in blankets and wearing socks may allow yous to prepare the thermostat at a lower temperature. As a result, y'all won't need a refill every bit often, and you can put less pressure level on your propane tank.
  • Phone call your propane supplier if the gas leaks:Propane gas tin be combustible and dangerous to inhale. You'd know if gas was leaking because of the odour of rotten eggs or the sound of hissing near your tank. If you think that your propane tank has a gas leak, turn off the main gas supply, put out all fires, go out of the house and call your propane supplier once you're at a condom location. After the service technician has examined your property and made the necessary repairs, they'll tell you when it's safe to get back within.
  • Set up a gas detector:This device has an alarm that alerts everyone in the house to go out the surface area and call your propane technician immediately if at that place's a leak. You lot tin become one at your local home improvement store.
  • Articulate the debris from your propane apparatus vents: The propane tank needs acceptable ventilation to go the carbon monoxide out of your firm. Afterward not using information technology all summer, debris from animals or nearby trees could accept accumulated in your vents. Check the ventilation organisation to ensure the air tin can menstruation freely. If y'all notice obstructions in the vents, call in a professional to accept the system inspected and cleaned.
  • Clear snowfall and ice off the tank:Winter accumulation tin cool downward your tank and block information technology from the sunlight. Remove snow and ice on height of your propane tank's various components to foreclose damage that could cause a gas leak.
  • Avoid trying to heat your propane tank: If your tank is cold, avoid trying to heat it yourself. Using an open flame or an electrical device with extreme heat can damage propane tanks. If the storage unit doesn't have plenty pressure to heat your house, call a technician to audit and repair information technology.

contact us for all your propane needs

Contact Usa for All Your Propane Needs

Foster Fuels is a propane supplier with several locations in Virginia and Due north Carolina. We believe in the value of eco-friendly, cost-effective propane gas to power your whole abode. For more information nigh our products and services, yous can contact us online or call 434-376-2322.

*Last Updated 02/22/2022