Let’s Get to Know Your Propane Tank

A Beginner’s Guide to Propane Storage

Like a lot of heating and cooling equipment in your home, it’s easy to forget about your propane tank.

However, when you consider that your home’s heating, hot water, stove, and clothes dryer may all depend on propane, you can see it’s good to have some familiarity with your home’s propane tank and its different components. You’ll be happy you do if you need to run outside in a storm to check your fuel levels or if you’re concerned there might be a leak.

The Different Sizes of Propane Tank

Stationary propane tanks come in both aboveground and underground models. And different propane tank sizes serve different home needs.

• If you only need storage for low-Btu appliances that aren’t in constant use, a 120- to 150- gallon tank will suffice.
• If you need storage for multiple fuel-intensive appliances, you’ll need a 250-gallon tank.
• Whole home heating will require a 500-gallon tank.
• Large homes and businesses may need more capacity with a 1,000-gallon tank.

You should bear in mind that propane tanks are only filled to about 80 percent capacity. This is because propane—like water—expands with heat fluctuations. But propane’s volume increases 17 times more than water. So, when we make a propane delivery for a 500-gallon tank, our delivery driver only fills it to 400 gallons to allow room for potential expansion.

The Parts of a Propane Tank

If you need to call in the Superior team because of a performance or safety issue involving your tank, it helps us if you’re familiar with the tank parts. You can more precisely describe the problem so that we can go to work with all the information.

Here are some important components of your propane tank:

• Fill valve: This is a valve where our delivery driver attaches their fill hose and delivers propane to your tank.
• Float gauge: This tells us how much propane is in the tank. As the name suggests, there’s a float that rests atop your fuel. It’s connected to a readout that says the percentage fill of your tank.
• Service valve: This is the shut-off valve, cutting off propane flow from your tank to the pipe system in your home.
• Propane regulator: This mechanism ensures a safe, continuous flow from the propane tank.
• Relief valve: This safety component will spring open and vent propane if the pressure gets too high in the tank.
• Vapor return valve: This valve will relieve propane if it becomes overheated.
• Liquid withdrawal valve: Only professionals should use this valve to remove liquid propane from the tank for transfer or transportation.

Need Propane Service? Call the Professionals at Superior Propane Inc!

Is your propane tank too small for your household’s needs? Are you looking to make a change to a more reliable propane company?

At Superior Propane Inc., we have unparalleled experience setting people up with the proper propane storage. We’ve pioneered the art of the hassle-free switch, where we can get your tank in place in 24 hours—plus provide a free safety check!

Want to learn more about everything Superior can do for your home? Contact our team today to get started.