Does Propane Go Bad?

Posted: October 7, 2024

Propane Won’t Degrade in Your Tank

Unlike diesel fuel, gasoline, and some other types of fuel, propane in storage never spoils or “goes bad.” This is just one of the many reasons why propane is an extremely smart choice to power all kinds of appliances and equipment in your home.

This includes those propane appliances you use sporadically, like space heaters and fireplaces. Propane is also a smart choice to fuel whole-house generators because it won’t degrade over time. Hopefully, you don’t need to use your generator often, but you don’t want to worry about the fuel degrading before you need it in an emergency, which can happen if you have a gasoline or diesel generator.

In short, propane is a stable fuel that keeps its integrity, assuming it’s stored in a secure, airtight container. If you own your propane tank, you just need to ensure that it’s maintained properly and kept in good condition. If you lease your tank from Wilson Oil and Propane, we will take care of this for you.

When you become a Wilson customer, our propane pros will consult with you to determine the best tank size for you based on the square footage of your home, the number of propane appliances you use, and the comfort needs of your family.

All the propane tanks we sell, lease and install meet stringent industry and EPA standards. And you can rest assured your tank will be installed properly, safely and quickly.

Can Propane Freeze in My Tank?

While it’s virtually impossible that your propane will ever freeze, it can still be affected by extreme cold. Unlike water, propane contracts when it’s cold. When it’s extremely cold outside, the volume of propane inside your aboveground propane tank will shrink, which creates a loss of pressure.

The problem is, if the pressure becomes too low, the propane inside your tank will not be able to reach your gas burner. That means you may not be able to run your propane appliances—including your furnace or boiler—which can be very problematic in the winter.

3 Ways to Avoid Low-Pressure Problems

1. Keep your propane tank at least 30% full to support positive pressure. If very cold weather is in the forecast, check your propane tank gauge and call us to schedule a delivery. If you’re on automatic delivery, we’ll take the real-time weather into account and there’s no need to call.
2. Don’t let snow build up on your propane tank. Clear it so sunlight can reach your tank and passively keep it warmer.
3. If you use propane to heat your home, try turning down your thermostat setting so your heating system doesn’t run as often, giving the pressure inside your propane tank a chance to rebuild.

Propane Delivery in Chester County, PA and Beyond

Choose Wilson Oil & Propane as your trusted resource for prompt, safe and reliable propane delivery service, whether you live in Southeastern PA or anywhere else in our Delaware Valley service area/ Whether you need residential or commercial propane, we’re The People You Can Trust.

Besides supplying your home or business with propane, we also deliver convenience and confidence. Our automatic propane delivery service, combined with our tank monitor, ends the need for you to keep track of your tank levels and removes the worry of ever running out of fuel.

As a full-service propane company, we also offer programs designed to take away your worries and save you money. These include service agreements to keep your propane gas furnace or propane gas boiler functioning safely and at its peak efficiency. A service plan can offset repair costs and guarantees you priority heating emergency service.

Family-owned and community-focused, Wilson Oil and Propane can help with all your propane needs. Reach out today to learn more about our propane services.