Immediate Problems
Issue What Happens
No heat Furnace stops working - home gets cold
No hot water Water heater shuts off
No cooking Stove/oven won't work
No generator power Backup generator fails during outage
Dryer stops Gas dryer won't operate
Fireplace off Gas fireplace won't light
🔥 Safety Hazards (More Serious)
Hazard Why It Happens Risk Level
Air in gas lines Empty tank allows air into lines ⚠️ High
Pilot lights go out All pilots extinguish when gas stops ⚠️ High
Leak risk on restart Air pockets can cause improper ignition 🔴 Critical
Moisture in lines Empty lines can draw in moisture ⚠️ Medium
Rust/corrosion Moisture accelerates line corrosion ⚠️ Medium
💰 Financial Costs
Expense Typical Cost Why
Emergency delivery fee $50 – $150+ After-hours or rush delivery
Higher propane price Variable Emergency rates often higher
Leak check/restart service $75 – $200 Required by law in many areas
Appliance damage $100 – $1,000+ If pilots don't relight properly
Frozen pipes $500 – $5,000+ If house freezes during winter outage
🛡️ Required Safety Procedures (After Run-Out)
When a propane tank runs completely empty, law in most jurisdictions requires:
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1. Professional leak check of entire system
2. Purge air from gas lines
3. Relight all pilot lights
4. Test all appliances
5. Verify proper operation
⚠️ Never attempt to restart propane appliances yourself after a run-out. Air in the lines can cause dangerous flashbacks or explosions.
📋 What to Do If You Run Out
Step Action
1. Don't panic Turn off all propane appliances at the unit
2. Close tank valve Turn valve clockwise to OFF position
3. Call your propane supplier Request emergency delivery
4. Schedule leak check Required before restarting
5. Wait for professional restart Technician must relight pilots
✅ How to Prevent Running Out
Method How It Works Cost
Automatic delivery Supplier monitors and delivers automatically Usually free
Remote tank monitor App alerts you when tank is low $65 – $250
Weekly checks Manually check gauge Free
Order at 30% Proactive refill ordering Free
Best option: Generac 4G LTE monitor ($199–249, no monthly fee) - alerts you before you run out.
🎯 Key Takeaway
Never let your propane tank go below 10–20%. Running out isn't just inconvenient - it's a safety hazard that requires professional service to fix, and it always costs more than preventing it.
Order propane when your gauge reads 30% (winter) or 20% (mild weather).
