Believe it or not, more than10 percent of American homesrely on propane to fuel their furnaces and other appliances. And the percentage of homeowners that rely on propane to power their grills is far higher.
For those homeowners, keeping a steady supply of propane on hand is key to keeping their homes comfortable and their appliances working correctly.
But how can you tell if your tanks are getting low? It’s not as hard as you might think.
Watch for these signs that it’s time for a propane refill for your household and barbecue tanks.
1. The Tank Feels Light
Residential propane tanksmay be too large to pick up. But that doesn’t mean your barbecue tanks will be too heavy. In fact, if they’re low on propane, they’ll likely feel light when you go to move them.
Think about how heavy the tank was the last time you filled it. You probably had to struggle just to move the tank from your car to your grill. This is because you’re moving the weight of the metal tank and the liquid propane inside.
When it’s close to full, it should still be somewhat hard to move the tank. But if it’s not, you’ll be able to pick it up easily.
Head out to your grill station and turn off the gas supply. Then, disconnect the hose from the tank. Use two hands to pick the tank up.
If it feels light, it’s time for a refill. If the tank still feels heavy, you can wait for a few more cookouts before you take it in.
2. Your Gauge Tells You It’s Low
Almost all residential propane tanks have gauges that show an approximate level of propane inside the tank. This lets you monitor your tank level anytime the mood strikes.
And though most barbecue propane tanks don’t come with gauges, you can install one yourself. Some offer a standard analog readout while thebest propane gaugesconnect with your smartphone and let you monitor the levels in real-time.
Take a look at the gauge and see where it sits.
If the tank is full or close to full, the needle will sit in the green wedge or lean towards the full line. As the gas levels go down, the needle moves counter-clockwise towards empty.
If the needle is below the halfway mark or approaching 20 percent of the tank’s overall capacity, it’s time to refill.
While it’s okay for small removable tanks to empty completely, you don’t want you residential tank to run out of gas. If it drops below the 20 percent capacity mark, you’ll need your propane service to reset your system.
Otherwise, you’ll have issues with your gas appliances and they won’t work efficiently.
3. The Flame Sputters On Your Propane Appliances
Propane appliances require a steady supply of propane to continue working. When your tank is full, it sends that supply to the appliances anytime you turn them on. But if the tank is low, your appliances won’t get the fuel they need.
This often results in a low or sputtering flame anytime you turn the appliance on.
Take a moment to look at the flame or pilot light on one of your appliances. Is it burning steadily? If so, your tank is probably full enough.
But if it’s not or if you notice a sputtering noise when the system kicks on, it’s time to refill. Once you refill the tank, your appliances should work as normal.
4. It’s Been a Few Months
When you rely on propane to power your appliances, you’ll use it faster than you think. This means most homeowners need to get their tank refilled every few months.
If it’s been a while since you got your tank filled, make an appointment.
Residential tanks can get refilled at your home quickly and easily. But if you have barbecue tanks, you’ll need to bring them to your propane provider. This lets an expert inspect your tank for damage and wear and tear so you don’t have to worry about safety while grilling.
5. The Tank Fails the Hot Water Test
For small grill tanks, you don’t need an expensive propane gauge to check the levels—though they can be helpful. All you need is a pot of boiling water.
While the water is boiling, turn off the propane and disconnect the hose from the tank. When the water reaches the boiling point, take it outside and pour it over the side of the propane tank.
The metal will be warm to the touch above the propane level and cool where the propane sits inside the tank. This isn’t the most accurate method, but it works well enough to help you tell if it’s time for a refill.
6. Your Grill Won’t Light
Sometimes, the easiest way to tell if your propane tank is empty is to try lighting your grill. When there’s fuel in the tank, you’ll be able to get a flame. But if it’s empty, the grill won’t light.
You can also listen for sounds coming from the fuel line. If there’s fuel, you’ll hear a gentle hiss when you turn the supply on to light the grill. But if nothing comes out, you’ll need to refill the tank.
7. You’re Thinking About the Changing Seasons
As the weather shifts, you’ll start using your propane differently. And you’ll want to start off with a full tank whenever possible.
If you’re going through your checklist and getting your home ready for the changing seasons, schedule a refill appointment with your propane provider.
This way, you won’t have to worry about running out of fuel when you need it most.
Is It Time for a Propane Refill at Your House?
These are just a few of the signs it’s time for a propane refill at your home. If you notice any of them or are just worried about the levels in your tank, don’t wait to refill your supply.
Remember, you only pay for the propane that’s added to your tank. This means you’re free to refill it anytime it drops below full.
Contact us todayto make an appointment or stop by our location to refill your barbecue tanks.
