Propane Tank Volume and Temperature:
As fall weather begins to truly set in, it is wise to not only check your propane tank levels but to also understand the effect outdoor temperatures will have. The volume of propane in your tank is directly connected to the temperature outside. Here’s the basic premise- As the temperature increases, a tank’s propane volume will also increase. As the temperature decreases, the tank’s propane volume will decrease. The following article will outline why this correlation should matter to you as well as some key considerations to keep in mind when receiving a cold weather delivery.
Why it matters:
There are a few factors here. If you are someone who meticulously checks their propane tank, you should not be surprised if your tank levels are slightly higher tomorrow than they are today. It doesn’t mean your gauge (or monitor) is broken and it also doesn’t mean that someone made a mysterious delivery of a miniscule amount of propane to your tank. It likely means that the weather is just causing mild changes in your propane levels. Next, if your preference is to run your tank down to low levels before placing an order, it is important to keep an eye on your seven-day forecast. This will matter the most in the fall and winter when cold fronts are most impactful. Under these circumstances the risk of a runout is higher because you are using more product and because you should expect the volume of your tank to naturally decrease along with the temperature. Remember that a propane company’s delivery schedule is typically busiest during the fall and winter as well. Careful planning and enrollment in an automatic delivery schedule will help to mitigate the risk of a runout this heating season.
Deliveries in Cold Weather and Temperature Compensation:
A common source of confusion is the amount of product customers were billed for versus what their tank gauge reflected before and after the delivery. Simply put, a tank gauge will reflect a lesser amount of fuel delivered in cold weather than what was actually delivered. The reason why is that each propane truck is equipped with a temperature compensation meter. The way these devices work is by first measuring the temperature of the propane as it runs through the meter and then by adjusting to ensure that the proper amount of product is pumped. The same process is relied upon during warm weather deliveries as well to ensure your tank is not over filled. Temperature compensation meters are federally mandated with the end consumer’s best interests in mind and are recalibrated at the point of each delivery. With the help of our truck’s built in temperature compensators you can rest assured knowing that the proper amount of fuel is being pumped into your tank every time we make a delivery.
We encourage all of our customers to consider enrolling in automatic delivery so you can take away the worries of a potential runout this heating season and benefit from our Aero Tank Monitors. With these devices you can monitor your propane levels from the convenience of your smartphone device and compare monthly usage. If you ever have any questions regarding the amount of product delivered to your tank please feel free to contact us at 1-800-998-4311.