Posted: August 12, 2024

How Long Does Propane Last?

You can count on the fuel for a long time!

Are you a homeowner in Central Texas who has questioned whether or not the supply of propane you have had on hand for a while is still good and usable? If so, hopefully you went ahead and used that propane because – good news – propane does not actually expire!

Propane’s shelf life

Yes, you read that right – propane does not expire and will actually last, well, forever. This means that you don’t have to worry about it going bad and you can keep using whatever extra propane you have around your home even if you bought it years ago.

How old propane is doesn’t affect its efficiency either. Propane that is a day old will work just as well as propane that is a year old.

Comparing propane’s shelf life to other gases

You simply don’t get as long of a shelf life from other fuels and gases.

For example, your standard gasoline is typically good for about six months. Once standard gasoline hits this six-month mark, its chemical properties change and it stops burning properly. Diesel fuel usually lasts for about six months as well. Heating oil will last a little longer (about 18 months), but this is not nearly as long as propane lasts.

Here is what is important to remember: just because propane doesn’t expire or go bad doesn’t mean that you should fill your propane tank to the 100% mark. In fact, propane tanks should only ever be 80% full. This gives room for propane to expand while it’s in your tank, which will happen as temperatures increase. Not leaving this extra room puts you, your home and your family at risk.

Properly caring for your propane tank

Even though propane will not expire or go bad, it is still important to know how to properly care for your propane tank. This is a safety measure and will help decrease your chances of experiencing tank damage. So here are some guidelines you can follow to ensure that you are properly storing and caring for your propane tank:

• Your propane tank should be kept outdoors in a well-ventilated area at all times. Never store your tank in an enclosed area such as a garage, shed or basement.
• Always keep your tank in an upright position and on a flat surface that is out of direct sunlight.
• Make sure your tank is always about 10 feet away from any potential sources of ignition.
• Keep your tank out of damp areas and don’t allow moisture to buildup on your tank.

Reasons to consider using propane

The fact that propane will last you forever is a huge plus to using the fuel. But that isn’t the only plus propane offers. Propane is:

• Non-toxic, clean burning and green – all of which makes it environmentally friendly.
• Incredibly versatile and can be used to power numerous different appliances and pieces of equipment.
• Considered to be an extremely safe fuel.
• Is highly efficient and helps appliances get their jobs done faster than they would if they were powered by electricity or an alternative fuel.

Propane from Hill Gas

Both homeowners and business owners throughout Central Texas can count on Hill Gas for the propane they need. We can also install a propane tank directly on your property.

Contact Hill Gas today to learn more about the reliable propane services we offer.