Thursday, December 12, 2019
By John Voket
For those heating their homes with propane, there are plenty of ways you can maximize your efficiency and economy. According to Leslie Anderson, president of the Propane Gas Association New England, proper planning helps to ensure that customers are safe and warm during the winter season.Anderson offers these timely tips:
- Consider signing up to be on automatic delivery if offered by your supplier, to ensure you are not caught short or empty in the event of a lengthy winter weather event.
- Talk to your propane supplier about options such as a propane generator. When power fails, propane generators can keep your family warm and protect your property from winter damage.
- Mark the location of your tank using a flag, pole or stake that is higher than the average snow cover depth for your location. It will help you avoid plowing or shoveling rooftop snow on top of your tank.
- Should your tank become covered with snow, use a broom to clear it - not a shovel that could damage, dent or even puncture it.
- Alert snow plow and construction contractors now. Make sure the company is advised of the location of both above ground and underground tanks. Accidental contact of snow removal or construction equipment with tanks could cause a serious safety hazard.
- Ensure that there is always a clear path to your tank for deliveries. Remember, fuel delivery trucks are TWICE as wide as cars, so make sure that your driveway is cleared to a width of 12 feet.
- Clear out leaves and vegetation that may build up around the side of your house near appliance vents now and keep them clear of snow throughout the winter. Proper venting from appliances is a serious safety issue.
- Finally, Anderson reminds consumers that propane is green sustainable energy, and an Environmental Protection Agency-designated clean fuel. That means switching to or using propane reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
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