Guide · Home care
Propane Tanks
Watching the level and staying warm all winter. How propane tanks work, who does what, and what everyone in the home can watch for.
Where to start
- Smell gas?
Get everyone out right away, including pets. From a safe distance, call 911 and the propane supplier. See if you smell gas.
- Heat running longer than usual?
Let the owner know, or if the furnace or water heater stops working. See how everyone can help.
- Owner getting ready for winter?
Ask your supplier when to order, and order on the early side. See plan ahead for winter.
The short version
In many country homes, and some homes in town, the heat, hot water or stove runs on propane from a tank in the yard. When there is plenty in the tank, life is easy. When it runs low in the middle of a cold snap, it can mean a chilly night and a service call nobody wanted.
The secret is simply knowing who keeps an eye on the level and planning ahead. If you are ever unsure, please call. That is always okay.
How a propane tank works
Propane is stored in the tank as a liquid under pressure. It turns into gas inside the tank and flows to the home's appliances. Home tanks often hold a few hundred gallons or more.
The gauge under the tank's dome lid shows a percentage, not gallons. A tank is considered full at about 80 percent, which leaves room for the propane to expand on warm days. For owners, the math is simple: a 500 gallon tank showing 60 percent holds about 300 gallons.
Who takes care of it
The tank, gauge, valves and lines are propane equipment, so they are always a job for the owner or the propane supplier, never a resident.
Residents should never lift the dome lid, touch the valves or fittings, or try to relight a pilot light.
The lease should say who orders fuel and who pays for it. If that part of the lease is unclear, please ask the owner so nobody is caught off guard in January.
Plan ahead for winter
Suppliers suggest different levels, often somewhere between 20 and 40 percent, so ask yours when to order, and order on the early side in winter. Cold weather and snowy roads can slow deliveries, so a low tank in a cold snap can leave a home waiting.
Owners can ask the supplier about regular scheduled deliveries or a tank level monitor, so the level is watched even when nobody is thinking about it.
If the tank runs empty
When a tank runs completely empty, pilot lights go out and air can get into the lines. In many places, the supplier must do a leak check before turning gas back on and relighting appliances, and there may be a charge for that visit. This is one more reason to order early.
How everyone in the home can help
- Know the name and phone number of the propane supplier.
- Keep the path to the tank clear of snow, vehicles and stored items so the driver can reach it.
- Keep grills, firewood, trash and anything that can burn away from the tank.
- Let the owner know if the heat seems to run longer than usual, or if the furnace or water heater stops working.
If you smell gas
Propane has a smell added that is often described as rotten eggs or skunk. If you smell it, get everyone out right away, including pets. Do not flip switches, use phones inside or light anything. From a safe distance, call 911 and the propane supplier, then let the owner know. Do not go back in until you are told it is safe.
Your propane tank checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Thanks so much for taking care of your home!
An everyday example
In early December, a resident noticed the furnace seemed to be running a lot more than usual and mentioned it to the owner. The owner called the propane supplier, who read the gauge and found the tank at about 25 percent. They scheduled a delivery for that week, before a cold front arrived. The owner also set up regular deliveries for the rest of the winter. The heat never missed a beat.
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Keep this guide handy
Save this page, come back to your checklist any time, and share it with anyone in your home who could use it.
See all guidesTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 114: Stationary Propane Tank Percentage Dial Reading and Cold-Weather PacingA printable guide to stationary propane tank percentage dial reading and cold-weather pacing, in plain steps.See it in the shop
This guide shares general educational information to help you, and is not legal advice or a substitute for a licensed professional. Bunklow does not inspect, repair, service or supply propane systems. Propane rules differ from state to state and town to town, so please check your state and local law and your lease, follow your supplier's instructions, and get local help from your propane supplier or a licensed professional for any work on the tank or lines. In an emergency, call 911.