Prepare Your Propane Tank for Winter

Winter doesn’t begin for nearly a month, but these last few days it’s certainly felt as though it’s already arrived. It looks like cold temperatures are here to stay for the next few months, and even our first snow of the season!… and if propane is what you use as your heat source at your Connecticut home or office, there are a few steps that our Total Fuel Service pros suggest you take in order to prepare your propane tank for winter to make sure that everyone is kept safe.

Mark the Location of Your Tank

A snow or ice-covered propane tank can be really bad news, so what you want to be sure to do is to use something like a pole, a stake, or a flag to mark where your tank is. Keep in mind that the marker needs to be higher than the tank. By marking where your tank is, you’ll prevent yourself from accidentally shoveling or snow-blowing onto your tank. If your tank gets covered with snow, you should use a broom to clean it off.

Keep a Clear Path

Do everything you can to make sure that there’s always a clear path to your tank. Also, in the event that you need to have your tank filled, keep in mind that fuel delivery trucks are about twice the size of a car, so the path to your propane tank will need to be nice and wide.

Make Sure You Have Enough Fuel

Check your tank and make sure you’ve got enough fuel because there might be circumstances that pop up where the delivery truck can’t get to you right away if you run out. Remember that it’s better to have an early delivery rather than waiting until the last second and facing the possibility of being without propane.

Have Your Tank Serviced

If you haven’t yet, you probably should schedule an appointment with a qualified TFS service technician to have your propane tank inspected and serviced. A safety inspection is something you should do every year and by doing this, you’ll be sure that your system is running efficiently and that you’re not wasting money.

Don’t Use Outdoor Propane Tank Inside

Whatever you do, never use an outside tank inside your house. Outdoor propane tanks require special ventilation and could emit carbon monoxide fumes that could kill you and your family. Only use propane appliances inside if they’re approved for indoor use.