A propane run-out tends to show itself the same way each time. The house cools, the shower turns cold, and the gas range will not light. Then comes the wait for a refill and a technician visit before the appliances work again. If that happened in your home last winter, there is good news. Run-outs are seldom random. Most have one clear cause, and each cause has a simple fix you can put in place this fall.
A reliable propane supplier such as Avenir Energy can help Ontario homeowners review what changed, from household use to delivery access. Start with the cause of last winter's run-out, then choose the delivery arrangement or monitoring habit that addresses it.
Start With What Went Wrong
Think back to the days before the propane tank ran dry. When did someone last look at the gauge? When did the refill order go in? Was the laneway open when the truck came? The answers usually point to one of four causes:
- The refill order went in too late.
- The household used more propane than the winter before.
- Nobody noticed the level dropping.
- The driver could not get to the propane tank.
Each cause needs a different fix, so be honest about which one caught you.
The Order Went In Too Late
This is the most familiar run-out. The level falls faster than anyone expects, and by the time someone calls, the propane tank is almost empty and the next refill may not arrive in time.
If remembering to call was the problem, consider Avenir's Automatic Delivery option. Refills are planned around your household's propane use, appliances and the weather. Your local Ontario branch can help you choose a delivery arrangement and explain what changes in your usage you need to report.
If you prefer Avenir's Order by Request option, choose a firm trigger point and stick to it. Avenir recommends ordering at 30 percent, and refills are normally scheduled within 7 to 10 days. Check timing with your branch during severe weather, and keep the ordering reminder where everyone in the house can see it.
Your Home Used More Propane Than Before
A propane tank that carried you through one winter can come up short the next. Use goes up for ordinary reasons: a new propane water heater or fireplace, a gas range in a renovated kitchen, a family member who now works from home, or a longer stretch of cold weather.
Tell your supplier about changes like these when they happen. They change how often your home needs a refill, and they can change whether your propane tank setup still suits your home. The number of propane tanks a home needs depends on the total BTU rating of its propane heating system and appliances, so a bigger load can call for more storage.
A new appliance is also a good reason for a wider check. The Canadian Propane Association advises homeowners to talk to a qualified service technician when adding a fuel-burning appliance, because the change can upset how the existing appliances vent.
Nobody Noticed the Level Dropping
Propane tank gauges sit outside, under a lid and often under snow. In a busy household, days pass without anyone checking, and a family that travels can miss a whole week of use.
Avenir's Tank Monitoring Delivery option uses wireless tank readings to help plan refills. With a monitor installed, you can also follow the level in the Nee-Vo app and Avenir's My Account customer portal. Set an app alert at a level you choose, and confirm with the branch whether it schedules your refills or you still need to place each order.
The Driver Could Not Get to the Propane Tank
Some run-outs happen even with a refill booked. The truck arrives, but the laneway is drifted in, the gate is locked or the propane tank is buried, and the driver cannot fill it.
Fix access before the snow arrives. Agree with your plow contractor on how wide to clear the laneway. Put a marker pole beside the propane tank that stays visible above the snowbanks, and give your branch any gate codes. On open rural lots where wind packs snow across the lane, a short run of snow fence can cut down drifting on roads and paths.
Why a Run-Out Means a Technician Visit
An empty propane tank is more than an inconvenience. When the propane runs out, pilot lights go out and the appliances shut down. Before the propane flows again, a qualified technician should check the system and relight the appliances. The Canadian Propane Association gives the same advice for when the propane has been shut off: have a service technician inspect the system before it is turned back on.
A run-out can also be confused with a leak. A propane smell can mean a leak, and it can also mean the propane tank is low or empty. Treat both the same way. Leave the home, then call your supplier and 911 from outside.
Set Up the Fix Before the First Cold Snap
Last winter's run-out already told you what to change. A late order points to automatic propane delivery. Higher use calls for a conversation with your supplier. A level nobody saw points to a wireless monitor, and a missed refill points to better access. Choose the fix that matches the cause, and set it up while the weather is still mild.
One more habit helps with the unexpected. Add your propane branch to the list of key phone numbers Ontario suggests households keep, next to your hydro company. Save your Avenir branch's number and ask how urgent calls are handled.
