Winter has hit full force, and that means there’s no more time to mess around with winter storm preparedness. Unlike spring, summer, or fall storms, winter storms can be far more destructive and have far greater consequences for your home, particularly if you use propane gas to heat your house. Owens Energy in Show Low, Arizona, warns what can happen after a winter storm and how to make sure that your family and home is safe from unexpected issues.

If your heating system vents through a wall in your basement or from the first floor — as opposed to going up through the chimney or roof — you need to check the outside vent whenever there is a storm, as it should always be kept clear of snow and ice. It’s particularly important to check your vent with drifting snow. You can’t afford to have an unobstructed exhaust that keeps dangerous carbon monoxide from leaving your home. If you’re not sure where your vent is, call Owens Energy to locate it and teach you how to keep it clear.

Second, if you have a propane residential gas system, you need to make sure you’re ready before every winter storm. Owens Energy recommends the following steps:

• Locate It: Make sure you know where your propane tank is located and mark it with a flag so that you can find it even under a few feet of snow.
• Fill It: The last thing you want is a house without any heat during the worst storm on record. Call Owens Energy for their propane delivery service and make sure that your tank is always more than 30% full.
• Smell It: Check for leaks by performing a smell test. If you can smell rotten eggs, skunk spray, or a dead animal, then call Owens Energy to fix the leak before the storm.
• Clear It: Keep snow and ice away from all outside vents and clear snow and ice from around or near your propane tank to avoid pipe freezes and cracks.

If you want to make sure you’re prepared for winter and ready after a storm hits, call Owens Energy. They’ll check your tank and perform any propane repairs or services that you need. Call (928) 537-8900 today or visit their website for a full list of services.