How Often Should You Refill Your Propane Tank?
Many American households currently use propane to heat up their homes. It is an important fuel, especially in rural areas, due to various reasons. For instance, due to relatively low propane prices compared to other heating fuels. Therefore, using propane can lower your heating costs, especially in the winter when your home requires a lot of heating. As a propane supplier, we are constantly asked “How often should I refill my propane tank?”. In this article, we discuss some more information on when to schedule a propane tank refill.
When Should You Refill Your Propane Tank?
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Because propane emits relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide gas when burned, it is one of the cleanest fuels available today. It is also safe provided you use it in the right way. More specifically, you should never let your propane tank run out of fuel to meet the heating requirements of your home. In other words, you should refill it regularly to avoid depleting all of it.
Any fuel quantity below 30% of the tank capacity indicates that you’re running out of propane and that you need to schedule a propane delivery. This will allow for proper scheduling, giving the propane delivery company enough time to refill your tank, even during the peak of the season. In case it falls between 10% and 20%, it means that you have about 2 days or less to refill it, depending on your heating needs. When you do not allow for enough time, you may have to call for an emergency propane delivery or deal with the consequences of the tank running dry.
How To Tell If Your Propane Tank Is Due For A Refill
How long your propane lasts depends on the size of the propane tank as well as your heating needs. Specifically, more heating translates to more propane consumption. To give you an idea, at least two-thirds of the propane used in 2019 in the U.S. was in winter alone, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
To avoid running out of propane, especially in cold months, keep monitoring the level of fuel in the propane tank from time to time. This means that you could install a propane tank monitoring system that checks the usage of the fuel and transmits the information to your computer or cellphone. However, some homeowners may get the information that their propane tank is running low but forget to schedule the delivery. Alternatively, you can set a reminder to read the gauge regularly to avoid running out of fuel. Unfortunately, some homeowners get busy, telling themselves they will check later, and simply forget to. With that being said, the best option is to sign up for automatic propane delivery. This way, the propane supplier automatically delivers propane when you need it. You won’t have to monitor your tank or worry about scheduling with enough time before running out of propane. With this option, you can always rely on having enough fuel to get through the cold, winter nights.
Dangers Of Letting Your Propane Tank Run Dry
While refilling the propane tank before it empties is your choice, there are effects of letting it run dry. First and foremost, your home will not have any heat which puts the safety and well-being of residents at risk. Other consequences include:
- Rust Build-Up: In case your propane tank empties fully, it will create room for the entry of moisture. This will cause the interior of your tank to rust. Consequently, the build-up of rust alters the quality and longevity of your tank but also masks the propane odor when you refill. This is potentially dangerous. You will not be able to smell the propane in case of a leakage, and this can result in an explosion.
- Your Propane Appliances Will Not Function: If you are using propane to power your generator, for example, it will not be able to work and supply power to appliances such as the refrigerator during a blackout. As mentioned above, your heating system will not work as well. As such, the appliances will not work as expected.
- Potential Water Damage: Propane is important in heating your home in winter to keep you safe from hypothermia and frostbites as well as prevent freezing of pipes. In case you run out of this fuel, your pipes will most likely freeze and burst, causing water damage that may require expensive repairs. It is for this reason that water damage and freezing account for 24% of homeowners’ insurance claims in the U.S., according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
To prevent such incidents, ensure you contact the propane delivery company on time to refill the tank before it runs out.
Why You Should Consider Automatic Propane Delivery Services
As mentioned above, instead of manually monitoring your propane tank levels and potentially running dry, why not sign up for automatic propane delivery? Automatic propane delivery can save you a lot of headaches. Here, you don’t have to schedule your next refill with the propane delivery company or call them when your tank runs out of fuel. Instead, the propane delivery company keeps track of your propane consumption through modern technology and refills the tank whenever required. This is a very convenient option for those who lead busy lives and may forget to schedule a delivery. Other advantages of automatic propane delivery include:
- Prevents your propane tank from running out of fuel
- Saves you from scheduling deliveries with the fuel delivery company, especially in winter when they are on-demand
- Guarantees constant supply of propane, hence protecting your appliances and property
- Saves you from waiting for days before a propane delivery can take place
How Long Should A Propane Tank Last?
A propane cylinder should last between 20-30 years, after which it should be replaced. This is because these tanks undergo wear and tear with time, and this can be hazardous. As a homeowner, it is important that you inspect your tank and ensure that it is in excellent condition. Likewise, you should know the age of your tank so you can be aware of when it is approaching the end of its lifespan.
Conclusion
To avoid propane-related incidents, you should refill your propane tank regularly. Take note that a good propane delivery company can help you automatically monitor the amount of propane in your tank, and also refill the tank when needed through an automatic delivery plan, saving you both time and money.
Call Wilcox Energy For Reliable Propane Delivery Services
When you need a reliable propane delivery service in the southern shoreline of Connecticut, be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. We offer high-quality fuel deliveries that are fast, affordable, and friendly.
You can count on Wilcox Energy to provide you with unbeatable service each and every time.
Give us a call today to discuss our different delivery plans and financing options.
We also offer a full line of HVAC services to enhance your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Some of the services that we offer include heater tune-ups, furnace repairs, HVAC installations, and much, much more. Call now!
For more information about our propane deliveries or HVAC services, contact Wilcox Energy. You can click here to contact us or you can call us at (860) 399-6218. We offer a full line of affordable and trusted home comfort services.