Helpful Tips To Protect Your Propane Supply
With winter coming, you may be wondering how the cold weather impacts the propane in your home’s propane tank—as well as your propane appliances.
Can your appliances freeze? No. They cannot. But there are other issues that have the potential to arise… we’ll get to those a little further on.
The fact of the matter is this: The freezing point for propane is -44˚ Fahrenheit. The average low temperature in January here in southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania is about 23˚. The record low is -11˚, set in 1977. However, some of the more remote parts of our service area can get colder than these temperatures.
That makes it highly unlikely that the propane in your home’s tank will ever be subject to freeze. With that worry set aside, there is still a concern when it comes to propane and cold weather.
Like all liquids, propane contracts when it is cold outside. In cases of extreme cold (well below 32 degrees), the volume of the propane inside your aboveground propane tank shrinks. That shrinkage, in turn, creates a loss of pressure. If that pressure gets too low, the propane inside your tank won’t be able to reach your gas burner. That means your propane appliances, including your home heating system and water heater, won’t get the fuel they need to operate.
We’ve put together some tips to help protect your propane supply no matter what Old Man Winter throws at us. These tips are easy, and don’t involve giving up an ounce of comfort.
Don’t Let Your Propane Supply Get Low!
In winter, you should make sure that your propane tank is always at least 30% full. This ensures that there is positive pressure in the tank to get the propane to your gas burner. And you can always have peace of mind about your propane supply by enrolling in Automatic Delivery! We take your prior propane usage and factor in current weather conditions, helping to accurately predict when you’ll need a propane delivery—and get it to you before you run low. No more having to check your tank gauge levels or facing a run-out if you forget. By the way, this is a FREE service!
Seasonal Safety Tips You should Know
When the weather is cold and snowy or icy, the last thing many of us want to do is go outside. However, it’s necessary to protect your propane supply and we need safe access to your propane tank to make a delivery too!
Snow on your propane tank prevents sunlight from warming the tank and the propane inside it. Clear snow off your tank after each snowfall. When you clear snow off your tank, use a broom and NOT a shovel. Shovels’ edges can damage the tank and its parts. And while you’re outside, kill two birds with one stone and remove the snow and/or ice from vents and flues to allow your appliances to vent properly and safely. When clearing your driveway, make sure the cleared space is wide enough for our truck to drive in. Clear a path to your tank as well and be sure to mark the location of your tank (especially important if your tank is underground) with a pole topped with a bright colored flag.
Turn Down The Heat When You Can
You don’t have to turn off the heat but turn it down about 5˚. That temperature difference means your heating system won’t be cycling on as often. That longer time between the heat being on allows pressure in the propane tank to build and be maintained at a safe level.
Become a Blue Flame customer and enjoy reliable, safe propane delivery all season long. Experience the difference we can make for your home or business today!