If you use propane for heating, cooking, or powering appliances, keeping an eye on your propane tank gauge is essential to ensure you don’t unexpectedly run out of fuel. Knowing how to read your propane gauge will help you plan for timely refills, avoid potential interruptions in service, and manage your energy usage effectively.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to read a propane tank gauge, so you can feel confident and prepared.
Most residential propane tanks come with a gauge that tells you the percentage of fuel in your tank, not the actual gallons. This percentage is helpful because it gives you a clear sense of how much propane is left, regardless of the tank’s size. The gauge typically looks like a small, round dial with numbers ranging from 5 to 95. These numbers represent the percentage of your tank’s capacity that is currently filled with propane.
The gauge on most above-ground propane tanks is located under the dome cover on the top of the tank. This cover protects the gauge and valves from the elements. To access it, simply lift the dome, which should reveal the gauge along with other essential controls and fittings.
For underground tanks, you may have to access the gauge through a protective cover, which should be close to ground level. In either case, once you locate the gauge, you’re ready to determine how much propane is left in the tank.
Once you’ve located the gauge on your propane tank, note where the needle points. The gauge reads in percentages, so if the needle is on 50, that means your tank is fifty percent (or half) full. A reading of 30 means it’s at 30 percent capacity, and so on. Most propane providers recommend ordering a refill when your tank reaches around 20–30 percent, as this allows for delivery before the tank runs dangerously low.
It’s also worth noting that propane tanks are never filled to 100 percent due to safety precautions. Propane expands and contracts with temperature changes, so tanks are usually only filled to about 80 percent to allow for this. This safety buffer is an industry standard and helps prevent leaks or ruptures due to pressure changes.
To avoid running out of propane, make it a habit to check your gauge regularly, especially now that we’ve hit the colder months since you may be using more fuel. If your gauge reads around 20–30, it’s a good time to contact James Oxygen & Supply and schedule a delivery. This ensures that you won’t run out unexpectedly and allows time for delivery scheduling, especially when demand may be higher.
If you’re new to propane tanks, consider setting a monthly reminder to check your tank gauge, particularly in the winter. James Oxygen & Supply offers automatic delivery, which can be a convenient option if you don’t want to worry about checking the gauge yourself.
Once you sign up for automatic delivery, you don’t have to do (or worry about) a thing. You no longer have to remember to check the gauge levels on your home’s propane tank. You don’t even have to contact us to schedule a propane delivery. We will estimate your propane usage based on factors including the current and recent weather as well as the size of your home and your past propane usage. Using that information, we will schedule a delivery to your home before you run low.
James Oxygen & Supply has been a reliable source of quality propane, propane products, and much more in Western North Carolina for over 60 years. Our customers trust us for good reason. We are family-owned and service-focused.
Whatever your propane needs, let the professionals at James Oxygen & Supply help. Contact us today to sign up for automatic delivery or to learn more.