Does the Temperature Change Affect Propane?
In the northeast, winters can become quite frigid. It seems sense that if you have an outside above ground propane tank, you might be concerned about whether exceptionally cold temperatures could harm or even freeze the gas within. Propane has a freezing point of -44 degrees Fahrenheit. There is minimal reason to worry about your propane freezing because it is quite improbable that it will get that cold here. However… extreme cold might have an impact on your propane. As a liquid, propane contracts when it becomes cold, just like all other liquids do. Your propane tank’s propane volume will decrease during really cold weather. The pressure drops as a result.
How Cold Temperatures Affect Propane
Regular maintenance and fill-ups are all that propane systems need, but when winter approaches, you must pay greater attention to your propane tank. You shouldn’t be concerned about your propane freezing because it freezes at -306 degrees Fahrenheit, although colder temperatures may cause the liquid propane’s volume to decrease. The volume of propane in a tank changes with temperature; conversely, when the temperature drops, the volume of propane in the tank falls. As the industry standard for liquid propane volume correction is 60 F, the level indicator will display less propane in the tank if your temperature drops significantly, say by more than 20 F. Because of this, it’s crucial to regularly schedule maintenance and fills with a delivery expert with experience, like Kelly Propane and Fuel, who will know how to inspect and fill your tank in accordance with cold-weather changes.
How to Avoid Tank Problems
When the cold weather season arrives, there are two main things you should do: maintain a full tank, and if your home’s propane tank is above ground, leave it exposed. More propane will be present after your tank is full. The delivery provider will have taken into consideration temperature changes when filling your tank with more propane, so you’ll be less likely to encounter shrinking problems. You could be tempted to cover tanks that are above ground with a tank cover, but it’s never a good idea to do this. Snow and ice might accumulate on the tank if you live in a region with a lot of snow or rain. Snow and ice accumulation can prevent sunlight from warming the tank. The pressure loss may be greater than it would be if sunlight warmed the tank if it receives no sunlight and becomes cold.
Propane Delivery Tips
Dealing with gas heating in the winter will no longer be a guessing game if you work with a reputable firm for propane delivery. The business will have the proper tools to gauge when you need refills and will be able to compensate for chilly conditions when they fill your tank. These will also come in handy if you need to figure out how long your tank will last or if something goes wrong with it. The business will even be ready to assist if you require a last-minute refill in the chilly winter. You can assist secure your safety and the safety of those around you all year long by working with a provider that suits your needs.