SERVING YOU WITH ENERGY
Written on: August 25, 2025
An empty propane tank is not just a hassle. It’s also expensive: Runouts can result in pressure problems and leaks, so we are required to perform (and charge you for) pressure testing. That’s why it’s important to know how to check your propane tank level—especially if you’re a will-call customer.
The good news is that checking the gauge on your propane tank is as easy as reading the fuel gauge in your car. Here’s what you need to know.
The even better news is that Dale Gas offers easy solutions so you don’t need to remember to check your propane tank levels. Still, knowing how to read the gauge is a good skill to have.
If you have an above-ground propane storage tank, the gas gauge is at the top of the tank, under a lid or dome. If you have an underground tank, the gauge will be near the fill pipe.
You’ll see a dial that looks a lot like a speedometer, with numbers going around the edge, and a single pointer. The numbers indicate what percent of gas is in your tank.
Keep in mind that because propane needs room to expand, your tank will never be filled to more than 80%. Always call for a delivery before your tank falls below 20% so we have time to schedule a delivery. Call when it hits 30% in the winter.
If your tank falls below a certain level, you could lose pressure, which can lead to problems with equipment, including your propane-fueled furnace or boiler.
Remember that propane contracts when it’s cold. When it’s extremely cold outside, the volume of propane inside your aboveground propane tank will shrink, which creates a loss of pressure. An underground tank will not be affected by cold because it’s insulated.
Dale Gas offers free auto-fill service so you don’t need to remember to check your gauge or schedule propane deliveries—even when it’s been extra cold. Thanks to a proven industry algorithm based on your past usage and average daily temperatures, we can calculate your propane use and makes sure we fill your propane tank on time. Auto-fill deliveries mean you don’t have to worry about checking your propane tank gauge, and you can rest easy knowing we won’t let you run out.
Auto-fill service makes things easier on our end too: We are better able to plan deliveries using the most efficient routes to get to everyone quickly. That saves time and money—savings we can pass on to you. You don’t even need to be home for the delivery.
If your propane use fluctuates a lot—for example seasonal homeowners, people running rental properties, or homeowners who use propane exclusively for things like gas fireplaces, auto-fill service may not work. For those customers, our wireless propane monitor is a genius solution. It tracks the level of propane in your tank in real time, and transmits your usage via wireless cellular technology. When the tank gauge reaches a pre-set level, the monitor alerts us—and you—directly via a wireless mobile app—and sets up a delivery.
We love the technology that makes all this possible, but of course, we still believe in old-fashioned customer service. That’s why our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to take your call and answer any questions
Contact us today to sign up for worry-free deliveries or ask about our propane tank monitors.