Propane

Appliance Maintenance

  • Spend a Few Moments for Your Family’s Safety

    This module provides basic information about maintenance of your propane appliances. Following these instructions will help ensure the safety of you and your family.

    Click the Next button to move to the next screen.

  • Maintenance Is Important

    • All appliances using propane must be properly maintained in order to operate safely, properly, and efficiently.
    • Only a qualified service technician has the proper training to install, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Make sure you have a qualified service technician install and service your appliances.
    • Contact a qualified service technician to perform an appliance inspection once a year.

  • What does propane smell like?

    Propane smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add this smell to help alert customers to propane leaks.

    Make sure everyone in your family can recognize the smell of propane.

  • Can you smell it?

    Some people may have difficulty smelling propane. For example, some older people have a less sensitive sense of smell. Certain medical conditions, or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs can make it more difficult to smell propane.

    Consider purchasing a propane gas detector as an additional measure of security.

    Odor loss is an unintentional reduction in the concentration of the odor of propane. This makes it more difficult to smell.

    Although rare, this can be caused by the presence of rust on the inside walls of the tank or cylinder. This can happen when air and moisture get inside an empty tank or cylinder that has its valve open.

  • If you smell gas, at any time, inside or outside your home:

    • 1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
    • 2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
    • 3. SHUT OFF THE GAS! Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).

  • If you smell gas, at any time, inside or outside your home:

    • Continued
    • 4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
    • 5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
    • 6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

  • Be Sure Your Appliances Can “Breathe” Properly

    • Regularly check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors.
    • Insects, birds, and small animals sometimes build nests in vent pipes. Other obstructions such as snow or ice may also occur.
    • If you see evidence of this, call a qualified service technician.

  • Be Sure Your Appliances Can “Breathe” Properly

    Clear the area around your appliance to be sure plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion.

    NEVER store combustible materials near appliances.

  • Normal Combustion

    Incomplete Combustion

    Watch for Yellow Flames or Soot Build-up

    When appliances are operating properly, propane burns with a blue flame. If you see yellow flames, or notice significant amounts of soot on any equipment, the gas may not be burning completely. This can create carbon monoxide – a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. Contact a qualified service technician if any of the above conditions occur.

  • Properly Install and Maintain Appliance Connectors

    It is important that all appliance connectors are properly inspected, installed, and maintained by a qualified service technician.

    Do not move an appliance yourself to check the connector; this might damage the connector and create a leak.

    Play Animation

  • Use Only Approved Appliance Connectors

    Make sure that all connectors and gas piping/tubing that bring propane to your appliances are installed by a qualified service technician and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

  • Have Older Appliance Connectors Inspected

    • Over time, some types of appliance connectors can crack or break, resulting in a serious gas leak and the possibility of fire or explosion.
    • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that certain types of older connectors are extremely dangerous.
    • If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, contact a qualified service technician to inspect the connectors. He or she will make sure they are safe and meet current safety code requirements.

  • Have Appliance Connectors Checked When Moving or Replacing Appliances

    • Connectors can wear out from too much moving, bending, or corrosion. Connectors should be checked by a qualified service technician whenever the appliance is replaced or moved from its location.
    • When an appliance is moved, be careful not to damage the appliance connector. Older connectors can crack if flexed or twisted, which can lead to a gas leak.
    • Be sure that any new or used appliance being installed is designed for use with propane. Natural gas appliances SHOULD NOT be used with propane unless a qualified service technician has made required adjustments to the appliance.

  • Have Appliance Connectors Checked When Moving or Replacing Appliances

    • Be sure that the appliance is properly installed and that all controls and valves operate correctly. Contact a qualified service technician for assistance.
    • If you move a gas appliance and disconnect it from a gas line, be sure to contact your propane retailer or a qualified service technician to close, cap, or plug the open gas line.

      Any connectors or gas line not connected to an appliance can leak gas, or can be damaged if water accumulates inside it. The valve on any unattached gas line must be closed, and the open end must be sealed by installing a threaded cap or plug.

  • Tampering with Appliances or Propane Equipment

    • DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/tank parts. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak.
    • If you are unable to operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not operating properly, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician. They can inspect, adjust, repair, or replace any part of your propane system.

      Propane cylinders, tanks, and appliances incorporate special components (such as valves, connectors, controls, burners, and pilot lights) to keep them safe for use. Damaging these components can cause gas leaks.

  • Identifying Dangerous Situations

    Use your mouse to identify the four potential hazards in this picture. Click on the hazard to learn more.

  • What Have You Learned?

    Read each statement below. Decide if the statement is true or false.

    True False
    All appliances using propane must be properly maintained in order to operate safely, properly, and efficiently.
    When appliances are operating properly, propane burns with a yellow flame.
    If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, a qualified service technician should inspect it and all connectors to make sure they are safe and meet current safety code requirements.
    Natural gas appliances and propane appliances are exactly the same.
    If you disconnect an appliance from a gas line, a qualified service technician should close, cap, or plug the open gas line.

  • Make Time for Safety

    Thank you for making time for propane safety. To learn more, download our brochure ‘Propane Safety for You and Your Family’ or visit: propane.com

  • Thank you for completing the e-Learning Module: Appliance Maintenance

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