What Should I Do if My Gas Gauge Drops Below 20 Percent?

Written on: August 30, 2021

We see it happen all the time, especially when temperatures drop suddenly: customers think they have enough propane to get them through the week, when they suddenly realize their gauge is in the red – meaning they have about 20 percent of their tank left.

There are several problems with that scenario that range from the inconvenient to the dangerous. In this blog, we’ll explain why running out of propane is a bad thing – and how you can avoid it.

The Problem(s) With Letting Your Gas Get Too Low

A propane run-out is a serious issue: it can leave you without heat when you really need it while also creating several safety hazards – not to mention the fact that it will cost you. Here are just a few of the problems that a propane run-out raises for you:

• Valves or gas lines are left open when the gas runs out, leaving you system vulnerable to leaks during a refill.
• Air and moisture cause rust in an empty or nearly empty tank, weakening the tank.
• Rust also removes the odor from propane, making leak detection much more difficult.
• If gas vapor reaches ignition source, a fire or explosion can result.

Safety hazards aren’t the only problem with letting your propane tank run empty: without propane, your pilot lights will go out – a problem you’ll need to hire a propane expert to address. A leak test is also required by law after a shut down – a procedure that can be both costly and time-consuming.

Three Things To Do Your Propane Dips Below 20 Percent

What should you do if you find your propane tank at less than 20 percent? Here are three suggestions:

• Don’t panic. Unless you have drained your tank to less than 10 percent, you have a few days. 
• Reduce your usage. Drop your thermostat a few degrees and limit your propane burning activities to necessities. Do not let your pilot lights go out if you can avoid it.
• Call us. We may be able to set up a delivery outside of regular delivery routes.

Avoiding a Propane Run-Out With a Propane Tank Monitor

To avoid running out of propane, someone has to keep an eye on how much gas is in your tank. Why not let that be us?

With a propane tank monitor, a small device installed in your tank will keep an eye on exactly how much propane is in your tank, and alert us (and you, via your smart phone) when it’s time for a propane delivery. There is a small fee for this service, but most of our customers think the peace of mind is worth it!

Avoid propane run-outs and the hassle of propane tank gazing with a propane monitor from Lakes Gas! Contact us today to learn more about propane tank installations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and South Dakota!