Written on: September 11, 2023
You never want to get caught with an empty propane tank. It’s a huge inconvenience and is bad for your system. You can’t just order more propane. A professional needs to come.
If your propane tank runs empty it’s a real hassle and costly. You’ll need an emergency delivery or propane, a required pressure test, and the professional relighting of the pilots on all of your propane appliances. That’s a headache and expense you want to avoid.
And you don’t need to run out completely to have problems. When your propane levels get too low, air can get into your heating system. And having air in your heating system can lead to expensive damage.
How much is enough? As a general rule, you don’t want your tank’s propane level to go below 20%. Just keep in mind that your gauge isn’t fool-proof or perfectly accurate, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and stay vigilant.
Do you know how to tell if your tank is full, empty, or somewhere in between?
The most reliable way to tell how much propane you have left is to check your tank’s gauge. Some tanks come with a pre-installed gauge. You can also buy a gauge and install it yourself.
Want to know how much is in your tank? Remember, as a general rule, you don’t want to go below 20%. Here’s how to find your tank and read its gauge so you’ll always know how much propane you have, and you can avoid an empty tank.
Step 1: Locate your tank. If you have an above-ground tank, it’s pretty hard to miss. You probably know where it is, but if not, just take a walk around your home. You’ll find it. Underground tanks can be trickier to find. Look for a small plastic dome. It will be a minimum of 10 feet away from your home and any other structure. Underneath the dome you’ll find the gauge for your tank. Now you’re ready to read it.
Step 2: Read the gauge. Most above ground and underground propane tanks use a float gauge system. Don’t worry, these types of gauges aren’t difficult to read. When you check the gauge, you’ll see a number that number represents a percentage. For example, if the dial reads 40, you have approximately 40% of a tank left of propane. If you know your tank’s capacity, you can calculate the number of gallons than percentage represents. If you’re really on top of things, you know your weekly propane usage and can calculate how long your current supply will last. Just remember, you never want your tank to completely run out of propane!
Briles Oil & Gas is the region’s gold standard for dependable propane delivery. Call us before your propane tank is less than 20% full. Or make life easier by signing up for our Keep Full automatic delivery plan. It will make getting your propane effortless and worry-free.
Briles Oil & Gas has decades of experience providing safe and courteous service in North Carolina’s Alamance, Chatham, Davidson and Randolph counties.
Contact Briles Oil & Gas today to learn more or to start getting reliable propane for your home.
