As we all know, living here in Western Montana comes with the challenge of ever-changing weather and temperatures. We all know the saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Montana, wait five minutes”. With so many variables to consider when choosing how to properly heat your home for the Montana weather, finding ways to educate the public on the positive and safe use of propane is an important mission for Energy Partners.
Have you ever been watching a high action film when all of the sudden there is an intense propane explosion in the background while the hero is walking away? Contrary to the big screen, propane is one of the most safe and reliable sources of energy out there, along with being the cleanest burning fossil fuel. So clean, we are willing to grill our steaks with it.
Propane was first discovered in 1857 by a French chemist, but it wasn’t until 1910 when an American chemist Walter Snelling discovered the importance of using propane as an energy source. That discovery snowballed to now having over 48 million homes and business rely on propane and employing over 250,000 people.
From home furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, wall mount heaters, dryers, cooktops and ovens, BBQ grills, to auto fuel, irrigation pumps and grain driers, propane has a vast range of uses. The list could go on. And with almost 90% of propane being produced right here in the U.S., Energy Partners is able to store and supply large capacities of propane.
So, what are some interesting facts about propane?
• Propane gas doesn’t spill, pool or leave a residue, which makes it harmless to soil or water if a tank leaks.
• Propane is actually odorless and colorless. Ethyl Mercaptan (the stinky rotten egg smell) is added to propane to help detect leaks.
• Propane is one of the cleanest, lightest, simplest hydrocarbons that we know of.
• Liquid propane boils from liquid to vapor at -44F.
• Propane never expires, ages or goes bad. So, when storing propane, the only thing you need to worry about is to maintain the integrity of the propane storage tank.
With so many uses of propane, it is essential to inform and educate those who use propane. And it’s important that we all understand how to live and work safely around propane. Through new customer kits, annual mailings, customer info and through the experience of our team of drivers, service technicians and managers, we share our knowledge and experience.
What are some of the top safety tips we want our customers to know?
• Know what to do and who to call if you smell propane. First, you need to know what propane gas smells like. The best way to describe the smell of propane gas is like that of rotten eggs, a skunk or a decaying animal. The unpleasant odor is not the natural scent of propane. Instead, the odorant is added to the gas by manufacturers for safety reasons. Second, if you smell propane or think you smell it, extinguish any flames, such as the burners on your stove, put away any electronic devices, such as your smartphone and get out of there. Never turn on any lights that could potentially cause an ignition. Finally, once you are out of the house and a safe distance away, call your local propane provider for further instructions. They will walk you through the steps to keep everyone safe, along with dispatching a service technician to assess the situation.
• Read all owner’s manuals of appliances that operate using propane. The owner’s manual for your propane appliances can provide you with specific information about the best way to care for it and how to increase its safety. The manual will let you know what to do if there is a leak or another hazardous situation.
• Always keep the propane tank clear of clutter and debris. Your propane tank needs plenty of space, so make sure items are not stacked up around it, especially flammable materials, such as paper or textiles, or anything that could ignite. In the fall, sweep up any leaves that might pile up near the tank, and in the spring, keep grass clippings and other debris away from it.
• Pay close attention to the pilot light. Your propane heating system might have a pilot light, a small flame that burns constantly. When the system is functioning properly, the pilot light should stay lit and not go out. A pilot light that regularly gets extinguished could be a sign of a problem within the system. Although re-igniting the pilot light can seem like an easy enough fix to do on your own, your safest option is to call in a professional to fix the problem.
• Install propane gas and carbon monoxide detectors and remember to test batteries periodically. Propane gas detectors will sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air. With carbon monoxide being a colorless and odorless gas, it’s important to have an alarm that lets you know if this gas is present in your home and is at a dangerous level.
• Always have a professional service your propane tank and appliances. It may seem that a problem with your propane tank or system is an easy fix and something you can solve on your own. Even if a problem seems simple, always call in a professional to take a look and perform any needed repairs. If you try to tighten a loose valve on your own or fiddle with the connectors or other parts, a leak or another more complicated problem could develop.
The team here at Energy Partners is committed to continually educating the communities we serve. Everywhere from Missoula, Seeley Lake, Hamilton, Superior, Thompson Falls, Ronan and Drummond, we are there for you. If you are interested in learning more about the propane industry, the safe usages of propane or just have a simple question, we invite you to reach out to one of our local branch offices.
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