Spring Cleaning? Don’t Neglect Your Propane Appliances!
The chill is out of the air and the trees are in full bloom. Spring has sprung here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and as we begin to inch closer to the summertime, now is a good time to give your home a deep clean.
If you’re ready to clean out the cobwebs and get a fresh start, you don’t want to neglect cleaning your propane appliances. But how do you go about it? Don’t worry, here are a few tips on keeping your propane appliances in proper working condition.
Propane Gas Grills: Clean Before You Grill
As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, you should give your grill a thorough cleaning before firing it up this season. Unless you’ve been doing some winter grilling, your grill has been sitting dormant for six months or more. So a good scrub is in order!
Remember to not only clean the grill but the burners and gas lines as well. Use soapy water and a clean wire brush to get rid of any tough grease stains. Don’t forget to towel dry your burners before use!
Propane Tanks: Clear Away the Debris
With a snowy winter and a stormy spring, chances are your propane tank may be surrounded by down branches, dry grass, and other debris. You want to remove any flammable debris that is within 10 feet from your tanks. This will not only ensure safe delivery of any propane gas but also for safety precautions. Since propane is flammable, surrounding debris could easily cause a flare up in your background.
Remember not to store your propane cylinders or tanks inside your home. Instead, you want to store them in a cool, outside area to avoid any possible explosions. Also, remember to schedule an annual inspection of your propane system to make sure everything is in working order.
Propane Water Heaters: Wash Away the Grit
Propane water heaters can heat your water quicker while producing less of a carbon footprint and use less energy than an electric water heater. But just like all other propane appliances, it’s good to keep your water heater in top condition to keep it working properly for years to come.
The best thing to do to this time of year is to flush out your water heater to remove any sediment buildup that may have formed over the winter months. Sediment can form from the minerals in your water supply. The sediment can harden into grit, causing it to build up in your heater and decreasing its effectiveness.
Propane Fireplaces: Keep it Clean
After months of use, you’re ready to shut off your propane fireplace until the winter. But before you do, take the time to clean it. Even though propane burns cleaner than a wood-burning fireplace, it’s still important to clean around the pilot on a regular basis to avoid any buildup.
And don’t forget to clean your chimney! Gas fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually to prevent any issues down the road.
Propane Furnaces: Change the Filter
Like your fireplace, chances are you won’t be using your propane furnace until next winter. Now is the perfect time to have it inspected to make sure there are no issues with the furnace. By scheduling an inspection now, you can prevent any problems down the road such as links or any blockages. And don’t forget to change the filer regularly!
Keystone Propane is Here to Meet Your Propane Needs
The most important cleaning tip we can recommend is to schedule an annual inspection by the experts at Keystone Propane. We’ll make sure your propane system is running properly for years to come. Contact us today for more information.