If you live out in a rural area, you may depend on propane gas instead of natural gas to run your home's appliance and heating system. Because the propane is stored in a tank below the ground, it can sometimes be difficult to determine how much gas you have left, especially if the tank's gauges are not easily visible.
Because you do not want to find out that you have completely run out, you still need to be able to determine how much propane you have left. Below are a couple of signs that show it is time to have a professional service come out to your home and refill your propane tank.
1. More Propane Has Been Used Because of a New Gas Appliance, Extra People, or Cold Weather
One way that you can determine whether you may be getting low on propane gas is when you start using it more often than you normally have in the past. Typically, if you have used your gas appliance or heater consistently, you may be able to gauge just how much you have used.
However, if you have installed a new gas appliance, such as a gas dryer, have extra people living with or staying with you, or are experiencing colder weather than usual, you have likely used more propane than you are used to. In this case, you may want to have the level checked by the service to see if you need to have the tank refilled.
2. Pilot Lights and Burner Flames Start to Sputter or Appear Smaller When Lit
Another sign that you need to have your tank refilled can be determined by observing the flames. Take a look at the pilot lights and burner flames on your appliances and furnace.
Normally, the flames should burn evenly and consistently. However, if the gas level is low, the flames may appear smaller or start to sputter because air is being sucked in with the gas because of the low level.
If you have been using your home's gas appliances more lately and/or have noticed that the flames have shrunk or appear to sputter whenever you try to use them, the amount of propane gas in your tank is most likely low and needs to be replenished. Before you run out completely, contact a company that offers residential propane tank refill services to schedule a time for them to check the level as well as top it off.
