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Propane Tanks And Freezing Temperatures: What You Need To Know

25 January 2019 by Wade Wheeler

Using propane for your heating fuel is a great way to keep your home warm and comfortable through the winter. However, the winter weather does pose some potential threats to your propane tank and supply. Understanding what the cold weather means for your home's propane tank is an important part of keeping everything safe and secure. Here are a few things you should keep in mind.

Can Propane Freeze?

Many people think of propane as a gas, because it is often called propane gas. However, it is stored in your fuel tanks as a liquid. As a result, it is susceptible to freezing. The good news is that it doesn't freeze as easily as things like water do. Propane's freezing point is -44 Fahrenheit. Since temperatures like that are rarely seen throughout the U.S., it isn't as serious a concern as it could be. It is, however, still a real concern in some regions, and one that should be taken seriously.

How Can You Protect Your Propane Tanks?

If you have a propane storage tank on your property, it is important that you protect it from the cold temperatures of winter. There are a few things that you can do to do this. First, while you might think that covering your tank with an insulating blanket is helpful, it can actually do more harm than good. Not only can the blanket provide a foundation for snow to build up on the tank, the blanket itself can even be problematic. Anything covering your propane tank will keep the sun from hitting the tank and providing much-needed warming to the tank itself.

You can also protect your propane from extreme temperatures by keeping your tank filled. The more propane there is in the tank, the less vulnerable it is going to be to changes in temperatures outside. Make sure that you schedule routine deliveries to keep your tank as full as possible.

You can also talk with your propane delivery service about the benefits of building an insulated surrounding for your tanks. While you don't want to cover the tops of the tanks, an insulated structure around the perimeter of the tanks may help you to keep temperatures warmer around the tank.

The more attentive you are to your propane tank and the effect of cold temperatures, the safer your propane supply will be. With these tips and the help of a reliable propane supply service, you can rely on the heat you need through the winter months.

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