Propane tanks are an excellent way to heat homes during the winter and are a useful energy source for a variety of home appliances. With a bit of knowledge about propane and its usage, homeowners can get the most out of their tanks. One common question surrounding tanks such as 250 and 500-gallon options is how long the propane will last with regular use. Here, we explore how long 250 and 500-gallon propane tanks last in residential properties as well as what factors have an impact on longevity.

How Long Do 250 and 500 Gallon Tanks Last?

Propane tanks come in various sizes depending on whether they are for either residential or commercial use, with 250 and 500-gallon tanks standing out as common choices for residential propane. Some homeowners may not know that prone tanks are only filled up to 80% of their capacity for safety because propane expands once heat is applied. A 250-gallon residential propane tank holds 200 gallons of propane and will generally last around a month—but a tank can last much longer depending on a list of factors.

A 500-gallon tank holds 400 gallons of propane and can last several months, ranging between 2 to 14 months. On average, homeowners can expect that the tank will last around 5 months with regular use of appliances. Statistics show that the average home in the US uses around 750 gallons of propane throughout the winter months. The tanks themselves are made out of galvanized steel that can last over 30 years if serviced and maintained properly.

What Factors Effect How Long Propane Lasts?

Several factors will determine how long propane will last for your home. One is the size of your property. A smaller home will typically require less propane to power its appliances than a larger household would. How often members of a household put their propane to use is also a factor in how long tanks will last over time. Keep in mind that residential propane is used for heating and powering certain appliances such as water heaters, clothes driers, barbeques, and stoves, and usage rates of these appliances may vary from household to household. Having a clear idea of your usage rates may therefore give you some insights into the longevity of your propane supply.

Determining Your Usage

Determining how long a tank of propane will last involves utilizing the British Thermal Unit (BTU) and knowledge of the BTU ratings of the appliances you are using in your home. You can divide the BTU of a gallon of propane (92,000) by the BTU rating of the appliance to determine how long it will take the appliance to burn a gallon of propane.

Estimating your propane usage for a residential tank can be difficult if you have multiple members of your household or may forget to note when you use an appliance. For this reason, it is always a good idea to read your gauge meter around once a week to know when to call for a delivery. The percentage of propane left in a tank can be found on the tank’s gauge, and the best time to call for delivery is when the tank is around 30 to 40% full.

Although we may be blessed with the occasional spring like day in Burlington County, we are still very much experiencing the dog days of winter. We take great pride in our propane services in Burlington County, New Jersey keeping the great residents warm during the most frigid nights. It’s why we offer emergency heating services should anyone experience an issue with their heat. This post will touch on important steps to take in case of a heating emergency. Consider these tips:

1. Layer Up

It’s the most obvious step, but it’s also the most important. Gather the family and grab all the warmest clothes and blankets throughout the house. Sleeping bags can prove very resourceful in a pinch. Wool socks and thermal underwear are great additions, but they can be supplemented with extra layers. It’s vital to note that a winter hat, which covers your ears, will be much more beneficial than your favorite baseball hat.

2. Choose a Warm Room

Decide on one room where it’s easiest for everyone to hang out together. The designated warm room should be kept as closed off as possible from the rest of the house. Vents, windows, and doors to other areas should be covered with blankets. A well-insulated room can maintain a comfortable temperature much longer than other rooms in the house. Ideally, the room that is chosen should be a suitable place to sleep as well. During the day, you’ll want a room that allows the sunlight in naturally. Be sure to cover the floors with blankets as heat can often escape via the floors.

3. Have an Emergency Heating Kit Ready

There are heat packs and hand warmers on the market that are built to last. Having an emergency kit featuring these products can come in handy in case of a heating emergency. Try not to use them immediately. If you’re trusting the experts at GasTec, you won’t be without propane for long. However, if you are experiencing a power outage from a storm, you may be without power for days. Try to hold off if possible before breaking out the handwarmers.

If you’re not currently a GasTec customer, we would highly recommend making the switch to our propane services in Burlington County. Our experts act fast to ensure low propane tanks are filled and ready to provide reliable heat for our customers. To learn more about our propane services in Burlington County and beyond, be sure to reach out to our experts at 1-888-449-3585.

Now that New Jersey has seen its first winter storm of the season, GasTec, provider of propane service in Mercer County, New Jersey, feels it is time to review how best to prepare for a winter storm. Extreme winter weather can create a variety of challenges for households, and to remain safe, it is crucial to prepare for every eventuality. Winter storms can bring power failures, loss of communication services, as well as icy roads. In addition to ensuring your home is heated during a winter storm, it is crucial that families prepare for the loss of power, cell reception, and hazardous road conditions.

Prepare Emergency Car Kit

Although it is best to remain within your home during a winter storm, families should also prepare a car kit in the event of an emergency that calls for driving. Some ways individuals can prepare their car for hazardous road conditions include storing a windshield scraper, shovel, flash flight, tow chains/rope, booster cables, and tire chains within their trunk. It is quite common for cars to become stuck in the snow or for car batteries to die in extremely cold weather. Additionally, GasTec recommends storing a portable cell phone charger, extra winter clothes, and food and water within their car in the event that the car is stuck in snow for long periods of time.

Prepare for Power Outages

Power outages are difficult to predict and can happen during any extreme weather event. Power outages can become quite dangerous in winter if a house relies solely on an electrical heating system. Preparing a secondary heating solution before a winter storm is crucial if your home is heated by an electrical heating system. Homes that own a gas fireplace may use this as a secondary option; however, be sure to install a battery backup for the starter so that it may run in the event of a power outage. Additionally, households can prepare for power outages by:

–        Stocking up on non-perishable food and water

–        Turning down the temperatures in their fridge

–        Properly insulating pipes to avoid bursts

–        Purchasing battery-powered flashlights and radios

Mercer County, New Jersey, propane service provider GasTec encourages households that rely on propane to heat their homes to stock up on propane this season. In the event of a winter storm, road conditions may prevent many households from being able to purchase additional canisters of propane.

There are many winter traditions that Warren County, New Jersey, families look forward to each year, including ice skating, building snowman, and curling up in front of the fireplace. However, not every home in Warren County comes furnished with a working fireplace which means each winter, hundreds of residents must install their own fireplace. As the top provider of propane services in Warren County, New Jersey, GasTec has extensive experience related to gas fireplaces and understands the many facets of fireplace ownership. For this reason, Warren County, New Jersey, propane services provider GasTec encourages local residents to consider the following before installing a gas fireplace this year.

Direct-vent fireplace or Vent-free?

Direct-vent fireplace – Direct-vent fireplaces draw in outdoor air through a dual vent system before expelling it back outside. This allows homeowners to install a gas fireplace without using a conventional chimney. Direct-vent fireplaces allow gas fireplaces to be installed in nearly any room in the home, as they can be vented through the roof or side of the home without an existing chimney.

Vent-free fireplace — As expected, vent-free fireplaces are gas-burning fireplaces that do not incorporate a vent within their design. These fireplaces use catalytic-converter technology, similar to exhaust systems used in new cars, which cleans hot air and allows the fireplace to function within the home without a chimney or venting system. This option is often sleeker in its design and looks similar to a plasma screen TV.

How Much Heat Do you Need to Cover a Specific Area? 

Some homeowners are concerned about whether or not a gas fireplace will put out enough heat to cover their large family room or dining room. Luckily, gas fireplaces are highly efficient and, on average, emit 40,000 BTUs, more than enough to heat the average family room. Additionally, if a family is looking for less heat, there are many high-efficiency gas fireplaces available on the market that can emit between 12,000-40,000 BTU, or enough heat to keep a small room warm. Additionally, if a family is looking to use a 40,000 BTU fireplace at half capacity (20,000 BTU), it will cost less than a dollar to operate!

Where Would You Like to Install Your Gas Fireplace? 

One of the first questions homeowners often ask themselves is where they should install their gas fireplace. While this is an excellent question, it is not as complex as many may believe. Since no combustion takes place within a gas fireplace, fireplaces can be installed in nearly any wall within the home. The inner and outer shell construction allows for maximum heat insulation, meaning families can install a gas fireplace in any wall within their home, including combustible walls. Whether you would like a gas fireplace installed beneath a window, tv, or within your bathroom, choosing a gas fireplace means you are not limited in the location of your new fireplace!

Once again, Middle Sex County and other New Jersey residents are at the mercy of the La Niña climate pattern. For those who may be unaware, the La Niña pattern, a natural ocean-atmospheric phenomenon, occurs when the Pacific’s surface temperature becomes cooler than average along the equator and often has a severe impact on North American seasons. Although it is still too early to tell the exact impact the Pacific Ocean climate patterns will have on New Jersey’s winter, forecasters speculate that residents are in for another record-breaking winter.

Likelihood of Snow

Last year, Middlesex County and other parts of New Jersey saw one of the greatest snowfalls in the state’s history, with more than 30.6 inches of snow in February alone. On average, the state receives just over 10 inches each winter; however, last year, New Jersey saw its second snowiest February on record. Many meteorologists blamed La Niña for last year’s historic snowfall; however, for the 2021 season, forecasters and meteorologists are still unsure whether or not the climate pattern will increase the state’s chances for another snowy winter. As snowfall is reliant on a variety of different factors such as arctic temperature, moisture development, and wind direction, it is currently impossible to tell whether or not New Jersey will see snowstorms this winter.

Temperature Forecast

For over 230 years, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted with 80 percent accuracy winter weather forecasts. This year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac stated that Americans could be in for one of the longest and coldest winters we’ve seen in years. Many meteorologists and forecasters from across the country agree with this prediction and are warning their state’s residents that they may be in for a colder-than-usual winter. So what does this mean for Middlesex County, NJ, residents? La Niña will likely make an appearance in late November with waves of cold air and potentially multiple rounds of snow. Additionally, a potential polar vortex could send arctic air along the East Coast, extending wintery weather well past March 1st.

How Best to Prepare

With this upcoming winter likely a cold one, GasTec, supplier of propane services for Middlesex County, NJ, residents recommends families living within the county and other parts of New Jersey prepare for the winter by stocking up on propane. As with previous winters, propane can often sell out in certain areas thanks to low supplies. With the increased likelihood of severe weather and the nation’s current supply chain issues, Middlesex County, NJ, propane service supplier GasTec recommends that residents purchase their propane winter supplies early.

As the weather gets colder, you’re probably turning up the heat in your house. Have you thought about how reliable and how efficient your power source is for that heat? If you haven’t, you might not know if it’s the best option for your home.

Warren County, NJ residents use a variety of energy sources for the various systems in their homes, for everything from making hot water, to cooking, to lights and heat. But we’re finding more people in Warren County are discovering propane, also referred to as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The following covers some of the many ways to enjoy the benefits of propane around your home.

Learn more about propane use in Warren County and see if it may be right for your home too.

Why Choose Propane

Propane has many advantages. Even the government wants to encourage the residential use of propane services in Warren County New Jersey with safe appliance rebate programs. Some people are making the switch because of the government incentives and only later realize how many benefits there are to choosing LPG for their homes.

If you’re considering the switch to propane, here are some reasons that this source of energy may be the best choice for your home.

More Reliable than Electricity

When the electricity goes out, that’s when the worry begins. You’ve got to worry about keeping the fridge and freezer food from going bad, keeping the kids entertained, and even losing your heat source. The last thing you want to worry about during winter power outages is being cold. A propane-powered backup generator can help with that.

With the recent example from Texas, we’ve seen the terrible effects of when people are left without heat in severe weather. You can protect yourself and your family by switching to an energy source that will always be there, ready to use.

Greater Efficiency

For each unit of propane, you’ll get more energy compared to just about every other energy source. You’ll use fewer resources and still receive highly efficient results. So heating your entire home may take far less LPG than it would use in gas or electricity.

Safer for the Environment

If you’re searching for ways to live greener and lower your carbon footprint, look no further than propane. Most electricity is powered by coal-burning plants. Unlike other fossil fuels like diesel and gas, LPG burns cleanly. This means it won’t harm the environment by releasing toxins into the soil, water, and air.

How to Use Residential Propane

Maybe you’re sold on the benefits of this eco-friendly gas, but not sure how you can start using it around your house—no need to worry. There are several ways you can begin implementing this fuel in your life.

Here are some ideas, but definitely not the only ways you can start using propane. All of these solutions will give you a more energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and reliable source of powering your home.

BBQ and Outdoor Grills

Through bright summer days and cold winter nights, a fresh meal from the BBQ or grill is always delicious. As it gets colder, you’re probably less motivated to struggle to keep your BBQ or grill hot enough to cook. Don’t let it sit out all winter long without putting it to good use.

LPG is known for burning in even the coldest temperatures. Cooking your food outdoors has never been easier. Another benefit is that many claim food is actually better when cooked in propane rather than butane. So not only is it easier to cook, but the food is more delicious to eat.

Indoor Heating

When looking at the benefits, it’s hard to say no to converting to propane heating in your home. With 97% efficiency, a smaller carbon footprint, and a highly reliable way to warm up, it seems to be one of the best solutions for heating any home.

Outdoor Heaters

You work hard to create an outdoor space you love. Enjoy your outdoor space all year with outdoor heating from propane. You can find outdoor heaters at stores across New Jersey. We always recommend LPG for outdoor heating because it generates more heat than electricity but is less toxic than typical gas.

RVs

Because it is so reliable at the lowest temperatures, propane is the favorite choice for RV owners. When you’re camped out with your RV in the middle of nowhere, you need an energy source you can trust. That’s where your LPG tank comes in to help.

It will power all the appliances on board the RV from the fridge to the heat. Never get caught on an RV without a tank of propane.

Fireplace

Want a safe and easy way to get a cozy fire going in your home? Using LPG to power your fireplace means a less toxic way to get warm and comfortable, even on the coldest nights.

Conclusion – Using Propane in Your Home

We don’t have to be stuck with the legacy energy sources just because we already use them. Make an informed decision and choose the fuel that will power everything you need that’s reliable without toxins and more energy. If you’re in Warren County, New Jersey take a look around your house and see how you can start using propane today.

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With autumn just around the corner, many residents of Hunterdon County, NJ, are now taking their Halloween decorations out of storage and filling up their calendar with the various Hunterdon County local fall activities. While there is much to do to prepare for the changing seasons, as the weather gets colder, it is also important to remember to clean and maintain your gas fireplace. In the colder months, many families will return home from apple picking and autumn walks to enjoy their warm gas fireplace; however, leading propane provider GasTec stresses that before they can do this, families must first ensure their fireplace has been properly maintained.

As propane fireplaces are designed to function with minimal effort on the homeowner’s part, it is easy to forget that, like other fireplaces, gas fireplaces must also be maintained. Before the cold months begin in earnest, GasTec encourages Hunterdon County residents and other gas fireplace owners to search for propane services in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and find a technician that can inspect and clean their gas fireplace so they can enjoy it to the fullest during fall and winter.

How Often Should a Gas Fireplace be Maintained?

While gas fireplaces do not need to be maintained daily like their wood counterpart, they still do require annual maintenance. Homeowners are encouraged to have their gas fireplace inspected each year by a professional fireplace inspector certified to perform safety checks. While gas fireplace owners can clean their gas fireplace themselves, you can also ask the fireplace technician to clean the fireplace during their inspection. During their inspection, the technician will check that the fireplaces venting is not obstructed and that there are no natural gas leaks or signs of carbon monoxide leaks.

How Do You Properly Clean a Gas Fireplace?

If you are a homeowner who would like to clean your gas fireplace yourself, similar to maintenance checks, your gas fireplace should be cleaned once a year. Before cleaning, homeowners must follow safety steps and make sure the gas to the fireplace is off while cleaning. Additionally, if your gas fireplace is encased in glass, it is essential to let the fireplace cool before cleaning, as the glass can remain hot long after the fireplace has been turned off. During the cleaning process, the first thing homeowners should do is to remove all dirt and grime from the fireplace and ensure that buildup on the screen is removed thoroughly. If any of the lava rocks or logs show signs of wear and tear or breakage, they should be removed and replaced before relighting the fireplace.

At Gastec we do more than deliver propane to Bucks & Montgomery County homes. Save money by visiting our propane refill station, located at 25 Council Rock Drive. We will not be open on Labor Day so make sure to stop by Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; or Saturday from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.