Posted: January 13, 2025

Does The Cold Affect The Quality of My Propane?

Know what to expect come winter time

Once fall comes and goes here in Central Texas and we start to feel that winter chill in the air, you may remember that there are some things you need to take care of before winter officially hits. Making sure there is a snowbrush in your car, checking to see if your winter jacket still fits and testing out your fireplace to ensure it is still operational may all be items on your winter preparation to-do list. If you use propane in your home, do not forget to add taking care of your propane tank to that very list. This is incredibly important and Hill Gas is happy to explain why.

What happens to propane and a propane tank when the weather gets cold

Cold weather and frigid temperatures impact all sorts of things, but we actually have some good news – propane is not one of those things!

It has to drop all the way down to -306.4 degrees Fahrenheit for propane to freeze and temperatures getting that low is pretty rare to say the least. The quality of propane is not affected by weather at all either so no need to worry about that.

What is affected is the pressure of a propane tank.

When it gets cold propane contracts, which decreases its volume and causes it to take up less room in a propane tank. This contributes to a drop in the internal pressure of your tank.

When a propane tank’s pressure drops your fuel may have trouble reaching the burners of your propane-powered equipment, thus impacting its performance. On top of that, you may start to get inaccurate gauge readings of your fuel levels.

Sounds like it would be better to keep the pressure of your propane tank consistent all throughout the winter, right? Right!

Fortunately, there are some fairly simple ways that a homeowner can accomplish this. Take a look at what they are:

• Clear off any snow or ice that gets onto your propane tank following a storm as quickly as possible. A clear tank can get sunlight, which helps increase its temperature while simultaneously reducing volume contraction.
• Be aware of how much propane is in your propane tank and don’t let your tank level get too low. It is recommended that a tank should never drop below the 30% mark.
• You can help ensure that your fuel supply is substantial by installing a programmable thermostat in your house. Since these thermostats allow you to adjust your home’s temperature even when you’re out and about, they help you conserve fuel and maintain an adequate supply in your tank.

Additional tips when it comes to caring for your propane tank

The winter is not the only time that your propane tank needs attention and care. Properly maintaining a tank will add to its longevity. Here is how you can do that:

• A propane tank should be kept out of damp areas so that moisture doesn’t have the chance to accumulate
• Always have your propane tank installed outdoors in well-ventilated areas
• Keep tanks at least 10 feet away from anything flammable
• Smaller propane tanks such as propane cylinders should always be left in an upright position and on a flat surface

Come to Hill Gas for your propane tank

If you are a homeowner in Central Texas and need a propane tank installed on your property or need propane tank maintenance you can count on Hill Gas to get the job done. We can also deliver propane directly to your door.

Contact Hill Gas today so we can tell you more about the reliable propane services we offer throughout Central Texas.