Now that you know how to read your propane tank gauge, knowing (or at least having an estimate of) how long your propane will last is useful.
We need to start with the British Thermal Unit to figure out how long a propane tank will survive (BTU). A BTU is a standard unit of measurement for calculating the amount of energy required to generate heat. To put things in perspective, one gallon of propane has around 92,000 BTUs.
The BTU rating can also be used to determine the efficiency of your appliances, which will all consume propane at different rates. The length of time your propane tank lasts will be affected by this.
A furnace rated for 200,000 BTUs, for example, may produce twice the horsepower of one rated for 100,000 BTUs. A 200,000 BTU furnace, on the other hand, would not be used to heat a space that only required a 40,000 BTU space heater.
Here’s how to figure out how much burn time your propane tank has left:
- Check your gauge to discover how many gallons of propane gas are left in your tank (see chart above)
- Find out how many BTUs your appliances have. Here are some examples of BTU rates for common appliances:
- 40,000 BTU/hour water heater
- 35,000 BTU/hour clothes dryer
- 65,000 BTU/hour gas range stove
- 200,000 BTU/hour central furnace
The BTUs in one gallon of propane (92,000 BTUs) are divided by the BTU rating of your appliance. This will tell you how long it will take to burn through one gallon of propane.
Let’s have a look at a gas stove as an example:
One gallon of propane is burned by constantly using your gas burner for 1.41 hours (or one hour and 25 minutes).
This estimate should only be used as a guideline. Naturally, you should replace your tank well before it runs out.
Consider an automatic fuel delivery option if calculating the amount of fuel in your tank is too time consuming. Many propane businesses provide propane tank monitoring and delivery services to ensure that your gas arrives when you need it.
What are the meanings of the numbers on a propane tank gauge?
The frequency with which you’ll need to order propane is determined by a variety of factors, including:
Modern propane tanks come with a gauge that allows you to see how much propane is remaining in your tank. Look for a round dial on your tank that looks like a speedometer to check the gauge. It’s usually found near the fill hose at the top of your propane tank. The gauge’s numbers range from 5 to 95. These figures represent the proportion of your tank that is filled, not the amount of gallons remaining in the tank.
It’s worth noting that propane tanks are supposed to be filled to 80% full. This is due to the fact that gas requires space to expand when temperatures change. The indicator on a “full propane tank” will display 80%.
If your gauge is reading 30% or less, it’s time to call for a delivery! This gives you adequate time to schedule and deliver your request without worrying about running out of time.
How can you read the propane tank gauge on the outside?
Okay, we took a slight detour there, but now that you know more about propane usage and storage tanks, let’s get back to our original question: how do you read the propane tank gauge?
Remember how we said that a propane tank gauge isn’t like other gauges? When your car gas gauge is half full and you have a 12-gallon gas tank, you have six gallons accessible. One of the most important things to remember about your propane tank gauge is that it displays the percentage of your tank’s capacity rather than the number of available propane gallons.
Another crucial information to remember is that when your tank is fully charged, your gauge will display 80 percent: this is the maximum fill percentage for any propane tank. Because propane is stored as a liquid, it will expand and contract as the temperature changes. With a full propane tank, the indicator reads 80.
As a result, if your gauge shows 20, your tank is 20% filled. You have 50 gallons of propane left in a 250-gallon tank if it is 20% full.
It’s a good idea not to allow the propane tank fall below 20% when calling for delivery. When it’s time for a refill, that’s a great marker to use because it lasts a few days. If your propane supply is less than 10%, you’ll need to get it delivered as soon as possible to avoid running out.
What do the two gauges on my propane tank represent?
There are two gauges on a propane tank. Most users are familiar with a face gauge, also known as a dial gauge, which is used to read how much gas is left in their tank. This gauge, which is displayed as a percentage, shows how many gallons of propane are in a tank. The second tank gauge is a fixed liquid level gauge, sometimes known as a “bleeder valve,” which delivery staff utilize during the tank filling procedure. Each gauge is discussed below and plays an important function in the propane volume level.
How do you interpret the gas gauge?
- Apply the indicator towards the cylinder’s base, below the middle weld line, and out of direct sunlight.
- Start the engine (this indicator works only when the gas is on).
- Before taking a reading, wait 2-5 minutes.
- Read the following indicator:
- If the cylinder is full and the gas level is above the indication, there will be no change in color.
- Depending on the temperature outdoors, the color of at least one of the bars will change when the gas level falls within the range of the indicator.
- If more than one bar changes, the gas level will be indicated by the leftmost bar.
How low should your propane tank be drained?
Don’t be alarmed if your propane tank gauge reads 20%. While this means it’s time to restock, you probably still have a few days of propane left. To avoid running out of propane, call your propane provider and plan a supply.
Reduce your propane usage as much as possible until your tank is refilled. If at all possible, avoid turning off your pilot lights. If your propane tank gauge falls below 10%, your technician will be forced to perform a safety check, which may incur an additional fee.
A professional propane supplier will do everything possible to have your delivery scheduled as soon as possible. Just keep in mind that you might have to buy a certain amount of gallons or pay a higher price if you buy less.
If you must use alternative fuels while waiting for propane, make sure all propane valves are closed. Make sure your space is well ventilated. Carbon monoxide and soot can be released into your home if you burn your fuels in an incomplete manner, especially if you use wood or coal.
What are the several ways propane is measured?
Propane can be measured in several different ways. Gallons are the most popular method. It can also be expressed in pounds (one gallon equals 4.2 pounds). A meter at the pump is used to determine the amount of propane that has been put into a tank when measured in gallons. The tare (empty beginning) weight of the tank must be determined before it can be measured in pounds. The tank is then filled to capacity with the correct volume once this weight is taken into consideration. (For example, a 20lb tank is usually referred to as a BBQ tank.) This is due to the fact that these tanks store 20 pounds of propane (about five gallons).
What is the capacity of my propane tank in gallons?
A gauge may be found on almost every Ressler Propane tank. To learn how to read the propane tank on your property, look at the photographs below. The majority of propane tank gauges range from 5% to 90% full. Multiply the outage reading by the tank’s capacity to find out how much gas is left in the tank.
A 500 gallon propane tank with a 40% remaining capacity = 500 x 0.4 = 200 gallons.
These values are estimates and should only be used to estimate the number of gallons in the tank.
What is the best way to figure out how much petrol I have left?
You can quickly calculate how much petrol your car’s tank can store by consulting the owner’s manual. Smaller automobiles can hold 12 to 15 gallons, whereas larger cars can hold up to 18 to 20 gallons.
If you don’t have the manual with you, you can look up your car’s specifications in the blue book. Cars can often travel 350 to 400 miles on a single tank of gas.
What are the meanings of the lines on the gas gauge?
The lines on the gas gauge show your gas tank’s gasoline level in 1/4 increments. An eight would be anything between two lines. If the needle is between 1/2 and 3/4, it means you have 5/8 of a tank of gasoline.
What should the weight of a full 20-pound propane tank be?
The most popular size of BBQ propane tank is 20 lb. It can also be used to fuel a number of propane heaters and even propane generators.
The dimensions of a 20-pound propane tank are 8 inches length and 4-inches wide. According to the 80 percent safety guideline, a 20 lb propane tank can hold a total of 16 lb of propane.
The empty 20-pound propane tank weighs around 13.5 pounds. Aluminum 20 pound propane cylinders are lighter than steel cylinders.
On average, a full 20-pound propane tank weighs 29.5 pounds. To determine the total, add the 16 pound of propane to the empty weight (13.5 pound) of the 20 pound propane tank.
Overall, a 20 pound propane tank has a lot of BTUs. What is the precise number of BTUs in it?
344,470 BTUs are contained in a 20 pound propane tank. That’s enough to keep a 10,000 BTU/h heater running for several days (34.4 hours, to be exact).