How to Prepare Your Home’s Propane Appliances for Winter

Summer officially ends after the weekend, on Monday, September 23. While we know it’s still a while until the snow starts coming down here in Ontario, now is the time to start preparing your propane appliances for winter.

It’s likely we have at least 4-6 weeks before the snow begins to arrive, but the colder temperatures and higher demand for energy in the fall are a good reminder that we should now start preparing our propane appliances for the season ahead.

To help you prepare your home for colder weather and to ensure you save money through the efficient use of propane, here are a few tips that you can take:

What you should do to prepare before winter

There are a few things you should do around your home to ensure your family will be comfortable this coming winter, as the temperature starts to drop. By taking these tips onboard, you’ll be able to ensure your house is both warm and energy efficient.

Make sure your tank is filled - As the temperature gets colder, your energy demands will rise. One of the most important things you’ll need to do right now is to check that your propane tank is filled, ensuring your house will be warm and comfortable for when those cold nights arrive.

Check your propane heating system is working efficiently - It’s likely that you’ve had your air conditioning unit on for the last few months, but now is the time to ensure that your propane heating system is working. It’s always a great idea to have a qualified service technician come to your house and perform an inspection of your propane appliances. They’ll be able to make sure that your unit is not only working well enough to heat up your home, but is also efficient enough to save you money.

Fix any drafts or insulation issues - Your propane furnace will be inefficient if there are any drafts or insulation issues in your home. You can hire a professional to fix your insulation, and you can also install caulking and weather-stripping around any windows, doors and other openings to ensure no cold air is making its way into your house.

Be prepared with scheduled deliveries - Winter is a busy time of the year and propane deliveries can sometimes be delayed due to unsafe road conditions. Talk to your propane supplier about scheduling regular visits, to ensure you don’t run out of propane in your tank. Propane tank monitors are particularly good as they alert your propane supplier when your propane levels are starting to get low, allowing your supplier to come and refill your tanks to ensure you always have a propane supply.

Replace furnace filters - The filters in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit need replacing regularly to ensure proper airflow. Doing this before the winter season will mean your propane furnace is able to run efficiently when heating your home.

What you should do during winter

Keep curtains and blinds open during the day - This will ensure any sunlight during the day will enter your home, meaning your heating system won’t have to warm your house up quite so much.

Mark your tank - By marking your tank with a flag, stake or pole you’ll not only make sure you don’t damage it while clearing snow with shovels or machinery, you’ll also make it easier for your delivery driver to know exactly where the tank is.

Clear snow away from your tank - Clearing snow away from your propane tank, as well as any lines or valves, will prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into your home. It will also prevent heavy piles of ice or snow from damaging your tank. You can do this by using a broom or brush to gently push snow to the side.

Clear a pathway - On a similar note, clearing a pathway to your propane tank will help propane delivery drivers find your tank. It will also ensure they don’t drive on your lawn or get stuck on your driveway.

Are you looking for more information on how to ensure your propane appliances are safe and efficient during the winter months? Contact our team of experts today for more information.