4 Cold Weather Tips for Propane-Powered Homes
Stay warm & safe this heating season
Fall is upon us in Pittmon, West Deptford, Dorothy and surrounding areas, but people can soon start pulling out their fleeces and ordering their pumpkin spice lattes!
But while you’re enjoying the crisp autumn afternoons and beautiful New England foliage, we recommend you take a few steps to prepare for the winter weather to come. If your home — and its propane heating system — isn’t ready for the snow and ice arriving in a few months, you might find yourself making expensive emergency calls to Woodruff Energy.
Here are four cold weather tips to help keep your home and family safe.
1. Keep track of your propane tank levels
If you don’t have enough propane, you’re not prepared for inclement winter weather. You’ll need plenty of fuel for days after a storm because roads may be blocked and deliveries could be delayed. Contact Woodruff Energy immediately if a storm is rolling in and your propane tank is less than 30 percent full.
We also offer complimentary automatic propane delivery. You won’t even need to worry about contacting us. Enroll today, and we’ll ensure you have the propane you need!
2. Install carbon monoxide and propane leak detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause nausea, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, and even death. It’s crucial to have at least one CO detector on each floor of your home and outside all bedrooms. You should also test your detectors and replace the batteries regularly and replace them after five years.
Bear in mind that CO detectors will not detect a propane leak. Unlike CO, propane is scented to smell like rotten eggs. However, we still recommend installing a propane leak detector near your heating system and appliances. If you suspect a carbon monoxide or propane leak in your home, get everyone out of the house immediately, then call emergency services and Woodruff Energy.
3. Get your home and propane storage ready in the bad weather
Vents, flues and chimneys need to be clear of snow, ice, and debris for the exhaust to properly vent out of your home. Otherwise, you risk a CO buildup. So make sure you shovel the snow off your propane tank, vents, piping, valves and the surrounding areas.
To ensure a safe and unobstructed path to your propane tank for our delivery team, clear away snow and ice and mark the tank’s location with a colored flag. When you clear your driveway for winter, make sure it’s wide enough for our trucks to access safely.
4. Schedule a tune-up before winter arrives
It’s a good idea to have your propane-fired heating system serviced annually. This will ensure that your equipment is functioning correctly and efficiently and that fumes are venting. A tune-up significantly lowers the likelihood of a heating breakdown, giving you added peace of mind that your home will stay warm when temperatures drop.
You can trust Woodruff Energy to keep your propane-powered home safe and comfortable this winter. Drop us a line to become a customer today.
