Is Your Propane Home Ready for Winter?
Propane systems are a safe, effective way to keep your family comfortable and your home humming all winter long. But it’s always important to make the necessary winter preparations to ensure the colder months go according to plan. These tips can help ensure your propane-powered heating systems and appliances work reliably when called upon throughout the season.
- Have your propane tank filled before cold weather arrives.
- Have your entire propane system checked by a qualified technician to make sure it’s operating at peak efficiency before winter arrives in Central New York.
- Change out your furnace filters. You would be amazed at the amount of dirt build up that can accumulate in just one heating season that will seriously reduce your furnace’s ability to heat your home efficiently.
- For cold spots or rooms in your home that your family only uses occasionally, consider using a small vent-free heating unit such as a free-standing floor heater or small vent-free fireplace.
- Make sure you have enough propane. Talk to your propane provider about keep-full plans. If you’re responsible for monitoring your propane supply, check the gauge on the tank regularly (watch a video about it here), and call your provider before the propane level gets too low.
- If you run out of propane, call your propane provider immediately. Your propane provider or qualified service technician will need to inspect your system for leaks before turning the gas back on.
- Maintain a clear path to your propane tank. Clear enough space in your driveway for a delivery truck and shovel a path to the tank through snow and ice.
- Keep outdoor vents, chimneys, and flues clear of snow, ice, and debris. This is especially important if you live in a mobile home. One often overlooked vent that should be checked and cleaned out regularly is the vent from your propane clothes dryer. Tons of lint can accumulate there, and besides making your clothes dryer much less efficient (and more expensive to operate), it can also be a serious fire hazard.
- Never use outdoor appliances indoors. Keep grills, generators, and patio heaters outdoors. They emit carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can cause sickness and death.
