Propane is a great source of energy for heating your home, and in a lot of cases, can be cheaper than electricity. It is popular in rural areas with less infrastructure, allowing you to live off of the electric grid. Having a propane tank on your property is great as long as you take the proper safety precautions.
Propane tanks contain pressurized liquid propane, which is highly flammable. Though the risk of dying from a propane explosion is rare, about one in 37 million, there are still many other dangers that you need to consider.
We’ve highlighted a few of them and provided some safety tips for you today, read on to learn what they are!
1. Location, Location, Location
When installing a new propane tank on your property, you will want to make sure that you install it in the right location.
You should put an above-ground, outdoor propane tank in an area that can easily be accessed from the road so that your propane supplier will be able to refill it. Position your tank away from the house to prevent damage to your home in the event that something goes wrong with it.
For tanks under 125 gallons, they should be at least 10 ft. from your window air conditioner, and at least 5 ft. from the opening of a crawl space. If you have a tank between 125-500 gallons, it should be at least 10 ft. away from your home, and cannot be closer than 10ft to your property line. Tanks larger than 500 gallons should be at least 25 ft. away from your home.
Make sure to keep a clear path to your tank in the winter in case your power goes out during a storm.
2. Don’t Let Your Supply Run Dry
It is very important to keep an eye on your propane levels, especially in the winter when you will use more of it.
If a major storm hits and you are low on propane, you run the risk of losing your heat. This can be incredibly dangerous for you and your family, putting you at risk for hypothermia!
3. Keep a Nose Out for Leaks!
Aside from the fact that a leak will cost you money and waste propane, it also can cause fires and, in rare cases, explosions. It’s important to check your tank for leaks periodically. Installing a propane gas detector can help you catch it early.
If you smell a rotten egg smell, that’s a good sign that you have a propane leak. If you do, shut off anything that might create a spark and shut off your propane at the main valve. Then leave the house and call your propane supplier right away!
Get Your Propane Tanks Filled by the Pros
It’s always good to know your local propane supplier and have their number handy. Propane emergencies can happen when you least expect them, like when a storm knocks out your power and you need to hook up a propane generator. Just search “propane delivery near me” to get started and find someone in your area!
Stay Safe and Stay Warm
Propane heat is a great way to save money in the winter, you just have to be safe about it. So be vigilant and check on your propane tanks often, and don’t ignore the warning signs when there might be a problem.
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