Here is some detailed information about propane delivery procedures.
At Leahy’s Fuels, we are proud to be the most trusted propane delivery company in West Redding, Greenwich, Sherman and other communities in Western Connecticut. Not only is our delivery team dependable, professional and friendly, but our team members are always available to answer your questions about the fuel we deliver and how you can use it most effectively.
One of the most common questions our employees hear from customers is why their propane tank gauges don’t read 100% after a propane delivery. Allow us to clarify this question for you.
Reading Your Propane Tank Gauge
Your propane tank’s gauge is generally located under a dome situated on top of the tank. When you lift this hood, you will find a gauge with numbers from 5 to 95. These numbers tell you the percentage fill, not how many gallons are in your tank. If you have a 250-gallon propane tank, and your gauge is pointing to 50, you have roughly 125 gallons of fuel.
How Propane’s Volume Expands
Propane expands and contracts as outdoor temperatures rise and fall. This fluctuation in volume is far more extreme than that of water. Propane’s volume grows 17 times more than water’s with the same temperature increase.
Now, consider that your tank’s gauge measures the current volume of your propane using a float to determine how much space it’s occupying. Depending on the temperature outside, your tank gauge may fluctuate noticeably, even though the number of gallons in the tank is the same.
The 80% Fill Rule
Now that we’ve covered how you can read your tank gauge and how significantly volume expansion can affect that tank reading, let’s discuss why your tank doesn’t read 100% after a propane delivery. All responsible propane companies follow the “80% fill rule.” We leave about 20% of any aboveground tank empty as a safety precaution. Doing this prevents fuel expansion on a hot day from creating a dangerous increase in tank pressure.
Please remember that we only charge you for the propane we put into your tank. You aren’t paying for that 20% of empty space.
Leahy’s Fuels can take care of all your propane needs!
There are many good reasons that Connecticut homeowners turn to our team for their propane delivery needs. Most importantly, we always make sure you have the fuel you need for your home heating, hot water equipment, cooking, laundry drying and other gas-fired products.
We offer complimentary Automatic Delivery service. When you enroll in this free option, the Leahy’s Fuels team does all the planning for you using our computerized system. We factor in your customer profile and the current weather to schedule your next propane delivery well in advance. Automatic Delivery customers also get the best prices for their fuel service!
You can receive the most dependable propane delivery in Western Connecticut at a fair, competitive and transparent price. Become a Leahy’s Fuels customer now.