How Do I Check My Propane Levels?

Posted: February 4, 2019

If you’re a Parker “will-call” propane customer (that is, if you manage your own propane supply from us rather than opting for automatic propane delivery), one of the most important tasks you have is to keep a close eye on your tank levels throughout the winter.

The question is, do you know how to do it?

Reading a propane tank gauge is actually pretty easy: just look near the top of the tank for a round dial with the numbers from 5 – 95 on it (it looks like a speedometer).

Just keep in mind that a propane tank is never filled to 100 of its maximum capacity; about 20 percent of the tank must remain empty to allow the gas to expand as temperatures change (this number drops to 15 percent for underground propane tanks, since the ground insulates the tank to prevent big temperature swings). A “full” 125-gallon tank, in other words, only contains about 100 gallons of propane. For a complete list of capacity conversions, see the chart below.

The most important thing about reading your propane gas gauge, though, is to remember not wait for the last minute to schedule your propane delivery – especially when temperatures are low or dropping. Contact us for a fill-up when your gauge reads no less than 25 percent full; that will give us enough time to get to you before you run out of gas.

If you do experience a propane run-out, don’t panic – call us Parker Gas for emergency service. We will inspect your propane appliances and perform your mandatory leak and pressure test, then get your tank refilled and ready to go.

How many gallons of propane do you have left?

For reliable propane gas delivery in our North Carolina service area, trust the pros at Parker Gas. Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule your propane delivery.