Propane provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly means of powering up your home furnace, appliances, and water heater. Occasionally, you’ll need to check the gauge to ensure you have enough fuel and that your tank remains safe. The following guide details how to read your propane tank gauge accurately and when to schedule refill services.

How to Read the Gauge

The gauge displays the amount of fuel in the tank as a percentage. For instance, if you have a 500-gallon residential tank, and the needle on the gauge points to 60, this means 60% of the tank is full. 

Since propane expands, you shouldn’t fill the tank to full capacity. Following refills, you’ll likely notice that the gauge reads around 80. This is normal, as it allows space for the gas to expand when temperatures rise without cracking the tank or causing an explosion. 

When to Refill the Tank 

Refill the tank when the gauge reads 20 or lower so that you don’t run out of fuel. Estimate the amount of time your propane will last by considering BTU ratings. BTUs, or British Thermal Units, measure the amount of energy it takes to produce heat. For instance, one gallon of propane contains about 92,000 BTUs.

Calculate the amount of burn time left in your tank by reading the gauge and comparing the remaining fuel to the BTU ratings of your appliances. Divide one gallon, or 92,000 BTUs, by the BTU rating to find out how many hours the appliance takes to use one gallon of fuel. Multiply that number by the amount of gallons left in the tank to determine how many total burn hours remain. 

Keep a steady supply of fuel with automatic refills from Liberty Propane. They provide delivery, new tanks, and water heater installations to Hinesville, GA, homes and businesses. Call (912) 408-3040 to set up a schedule for fuel delivery, or visit their website to learn more about how to safely power your home with propane.