Posted: November 11, 2024
Autumn can be glorious in our area: golden days and crisp, cool nights. Then, the chill sets in, and suddenly, you’re using appliances differently — simmering a pot of chili on the stove all day after months of quick summer suppers and grilling or enjoying the glow of your propane fireplace on those cooler nights instead of cranking up your boiler just yet. Those changes in usage can affect how quickly you’re using propane and how often you’ll need a delivery.
An empty propane tank is not just a hassle. It’s also expensive. Run-outs can result in pressure problems and leaks, so we are required to perform (and charge you for) pressure testing. That’s why it’s important to know how to check your propane tank level — especially if you’re a will-call customer.
The good news is that checking the gauge on your propane tank is almost as easy as reading the fuel gauge in your car. Here’s what you need to know.
If you have an above-ground propane storage tank, the gas gauge is at the top of the tank, under a lid or dome. If you have an underground tank, the gauge will be near the fill pipe.
You’ll see a dial that looks a lot like a speedometer, with numbers going around the edge and a single pointer. The numbers indicate what percent of gas is in your tank.
Keep in mind that because propane needs room to expand, your tank will never be filled to more than 80%. Always call for a delivery before your tank falls below 20%, so we have time to schedule a delivery. If your tank falls below a certain level, you could lose pressure, which can lead to problems with equipment.
Do you use heating oil instead of propane? Your tank also has a gauge. It’s typically a clear glass or plastic vial on top of your tank with markings like a car’s gas gauge: F, ¾, ½ and ¼. A marker or float rests in the vial, showing you how much heating oil you have.
Of course, it’s good to know how to check your tank level, but it’s an easy task to forget about. That’s why we give you an easier way to make sure you get fuel deliveries when you need them — without having to remember to check your tank and call us for delivery. It’s our automatic delivery service.
Main-Care Energy offers free automatic delivery service, so you don’t need to remember to check your gauge or schedule fuel deliveries. Thanks to a proven industry algorithm based on your past usage and average daily temperatures, we can calculate your propane or heating oil use and make sure we fill your tank on time. Automatic deliveries mean you don’t have to worry about running out of heating fuel, and you can rest easy knowing we won’t let you run out.
Automatic delivery service makes things easier on our end, too. It means we’re better able to plan deliveries using the most efficient routes to get to everyone quickly. That saves time and money — savings we can pass on to you. You don’t even need to be home for the delivery.
For seasonal homeowners, people running rental properties, and anyone whose heating fuel usage fluctuates a lot, we recommend our wireless tank monitor. It tracks the level of fuel in your tank in real-time and transmits your usage via wireless and cellular technology. When the tank gauge reaches a pre-set level, the monitor alerts us (and you) directly via a wireless mobile app — and sets up a delivery.
We love the technology that makes all this possible, but of course, we still believe in old-fashioned customer service—it’s our 360* of service commitment. That’s why our friendly and knowledgeable employee-owners are always happy to take your call and answer any questions.
We’re honored to serve households throughout Rensselaer County and all across New York’s Hudson Valley and Capital Region, plus Western Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Contact us today to sign up for worry-free automatic deliveries or ask about our propane tank monitors.
