Posted: November 11, 2024

Does The Cold Affect The Quality of My Propane?

When winter is coming here’s what you can do to prepare your propane tank

When we hear that some seriously cold weather is going to arrive here in North Carolina, many of us take certain precautions and spend some time preparing a little bit. This can include stocking up on groceries at the store, moving your car into a garage instead of leaving it out on the street and making sure you’re prepared to shovel snow if necessary. A homeowner who uses propane should also prepare his or her propane tank.

Cold weather and propane

Propane itself is not really affected by cold weather and cold temperatures. First and foremost, it takes a lot for propane to actually freeze – its freezing point is -306.4 degrees Fahrenheit! On top of that, a drop in temperature doesn’t give the fuel a shorter shelf life (it won’t expire no matter how cold it gets!), nor will winter weather make propane deteriorate or not work as well as it otherwise would.

While you don’t have to be concerned about your propane in the winter, you should prepare your propane tank for any expected cold temperatures.

Prepare your propane tank when winter is on its way

Cold weather can affect a propane tank’s pressure. As temperatures drop, propane’s volume decreases and, as a result, it contracts. This has a direct impact on the internal pressure of a propane tank. As it gets colder and colder, the pressure of a propane tank is decreasing.

You don’t want the pressure of your propane tank to get too low for a couple reasons:

1. This can sometimes lead to a faulty reading from your propane tank’s gauge and you may then have the wrong idea about how much propane you have left in your tank.
2. If the pressure of your propane tank gets too low, your fuel may not be able to reach the burners of your gas-fired equipment.

No homeowner wants to experience either of these things. Here is what you can do to help prevent them from happening:

• Make sure you have the equipment you need: You are going to want to clear off any snow or ice that falls onto your propane tank as quickly as possible so it’s a good idea to have a snow brush handy.
• Don’t let your fuel level get too low: Keeping your propane tank full helps with its internal pressure. It’s also always a good idea for your tank to be at least 30% full so that you don’t have to worry about completely running out of fuel.
• Use a programmable thermostat: These devices allow you to control the temperature of your home even when you are not at home. If you like to come home to a warm house, but don’t want to keep your thermostat set at a high temperature while you’re out, a programmable thermostat lets you turn the temperature up when you’re on your way home. Not only does this help you save money, but it also puts less wear and tear on your propane tank, giving you some assurance that your equipment will last you through the whole winter season.

Propane services from K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas

If you are looking residential propane services for your North Carolina home, turn to K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas. We can deliver fuel directly to you, sell or lease you a propane tank, install tanks and help you fill up your propane cylinders.

Contact K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas today to start receiving propane services you can count on.