Can Propane Spoil or “Go Bad?”

Learn More About Propane’s Reliability and Durability

So many things in our homes have a short shelf life: that fresh-baked loaf of bread, milk and eggs in the fridge, and even those frozen peas in the freezer.

One thing you can count on for staying power is propane, because it does not “go bad” or degrade over time.

Understanding the Shelf Life of Other Common Fuels

With the passage of time, heating oil, kerosene, diesel, and gasoline are prone to degradation. This can not only lessen their efficiency, but also damage the essential machinery in which they power, like your home’s heating system or backup generator.

After about six months, a car that remains parked with its gas tank full will experience fuel breakdown. Diesel is only viable for approximately one year. Further, the potency of ethanol and bio-based fuels quickly dissipates after only a few months, whereas the shelf life of heating oil is 18 months, meaning that any remaining fuel from previous winter can still be used with effective results the following year.

Propane is a stable fuel that does not decay when stored safely in an airtight container, safe from any chemical or physical changes.

Thus, when stored properly for extended periods of time, propane will remain just as effective and usable as when you initially acquired it. With a variety of applications both for daily use and occasional access, propane is the wise choice for all kinds of appliances in your home, from heating systems and water heaters to space heaters and fireplaces.

The enduring level of stability offered by propane makes it the ideal choice for whole-house standby generators. Fuel sources, such as gasoline and diesel, can leave users stranded in times of power outages due to fuel tank degradation or lack of fresh fuel supplies. Propane eliminates this risk.

Rest assured that your standby generator will be up and running when you need it most; thanks to the reliable propane stored in your home’s propane tank.

Can Propane Freeze?

The short answer is yes, the propane in your tank is stored as a liquid, so it’s understandable that people wonder about the possibility of it freezing.

However, there’s no need to worry because propane’s freezing point is -306°F, a temperature unobtainable outside of scientific labs. Such intense cold cannot be experienced anywhere else on Earth!

Propane does have a boiling point of about -44°F. At this temperature, liquid propane can no longer turn into a gas. Considering that the lowest temperature recorded in the greater Nashville area is -17°F, it’s safe to say the risk is extremely low for that happening.

However, extremely cold weather for this area can have a negative impact in terms of a loss of pressure inside your propane tank. Like other liquids, propane contracts as the temperature drops. This decrease results in a pressure reduction that can ultimately halt the flow of gas to your burner if it gets too low.

Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to how cold weather may be affecting the pressure levels within your tank for optimal performance during winter months.

Keep Full with a Little Help from Advanced Propane Inc.!

You can prevent problems caused by cold impacting the pressure inside your tank by always making sure your propane tank is at least 30% full. Our Keep Filled Automatic Delivery tracks your propane usage and supply and makes a delivery before you run low, giving you peace of mind you’re after.

Become an Advanced Propane customer today and enjoy reliable propane delivery and service across the Middle Tennessee region.