Propane

Propane safety tips to keep your home and farm warm all winter

As winter sets in, propane keeps our homes, farms, and livestock operations running strong. A few simple safety steps can protect your family, animals, and property all season long. Here's how to stay safe and ready with help from your Tri-County Co-op propane team.

1. Start with a system check

Routine maintenance is your first line of defense for safety and efficiency. Schedule a preseason inspection with a qualified propane technician to ensure everything is operating properly.

Homeowners should have their furnace, water heater, and appliances checked for clean, steady flames and proper ventilation. Farmers and livestock producers should inspect all barn and confinement building heaters, regulators, and lines for damage or wear. Consistent, safe heat is critical for livestock well-being.

A fall inspection helps prevent mid-winter emergencies when service calls are hardest to schedule.

2. Know the smell

Propane is naturally odorless, but an odorant is added so you can detect leaks quickly. If you ever smell a strong rotten-egg or skunk-like odor, take action immediately:

  1. Extinguish any open flames and leave the area
  2. Avoid switches, phones, or equipment that could cause a spark
  3. Shut off the main gas valve if you can do so safely
  4. Call your propane supplier or 911 from a safe location

Never re-enter the building until it has been cleared by a qualified technician.

3. Plan ahead for winter deliveries

Help our delivery drivers serve you safely and efficiently all season long:

  • Mark your tank location with a stake or flag that's visible above snowdrifts
  • Clear snow and ice from driveways and tank areas before your scheduled delivery
  • Keep your tank above 20% to avoid runouts — call early when the gauge drops near that level
  • Keep regulators, valves, and vents clear for proper system operation
A little planning now can prevent delays when weather conditions get tough.

4. Handle and store propane safely

  • Store all cylinders upright and outdoors, away from enclosed spaces
  • Never store propane tanks inside homes, garages, or sheds
  • When transporting, secure cylinders upright and avoid leaving them in enclosed vehicles
  • Keep flammable materials and debris clear of tanks and equipment

5. Safety on the farm

For many Tri-County Co-op members, propane keeps the heart of the operation running — from livestock heat to shop heating systems.

  • Inspect heaters and brooders for dust buildup or corrosion before use
  • Ensure fans and vents are clean to maintain safe airflow
  • Develop a backup heating plan in case of power outages or road closures
  • Train all workers to recognize gas leaks and respond appropriately

6. Stay prepared and informed

  • Test carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries regularly
  • Post emergency contact numbers near phones and building entrances
  • Make sure family members and employees know how to turn off the main propane supply valve safely

Stay warm, stay safe with Tri-County Co-op

At Tri-County Co-op, your safety is our priority. Propane provides efficient, dependable energy for rural homes and farms — and with a few simple precautions, you can enjoy a safe, worry-free winter season.

Need a fill, inspection, or safety check? Contact your local Tri-County Co-op propane team to schedule service or delivery. We're proud to fuel the families and farms that keep our communities strong.
Get in touch Call (320) 324-7151  ·  office@tricountyco-op.com

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Leave the building. Don’t touch switches. Call (320) 555-0197 or 911 from outside.

Applications & uses

Home heating

Furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, cooking, and backup generators. Automatic delivery scheduling available.

Farm & ag

Grain dryers, irrigation engines, livestock building heat, and portable farm equipment. Bulk delivery, competitive ag pricing.

Commercial

Forklifts, generators, fleet vehicles, laundry & food service. High-volume contracts and dedicated account management.

Outdoor living

Grills, fire pits, patio heaters, and portable cylinders. Cylinder exchange available in-store — no delivery needed.

Delivery programs

How we deliver to you

Automatic

We track your usage and schedule delivery before you run low. No calls, no worrying, no running out. Best for primary home heating.

Will-call

You monitor your gauge and call when ready. Order at 20–30%. Typical 2–3 business day turnaround. Emergency same-day available.

bulk

Large-volume for grain dryers, livestock buildings, and farm equipment. Harvest-season priority scheduling. Ag-specific pricing.

New customer?

We work with licensed installers to get your tank set up. Call (320) 555-0197 and we’ll walk you through the process.

Safety guide

Stay safe with propane

Propane has an added odorant (ethyl mercaptan) — it smells like rotten eggs or a skunk. Listen for hissing near appliances or the tank. Look for dead or discolored vegetation near buried lines. Frost on the outside of your tank can also indicate a problem.

Put out all flames immediately. Do NOT touch any electrical switches. Leave the building and leave the door open. Turn off the main valve on your tank if safe to do so. Call us and 911 from outside or a neighbor’s phone. Do not re-enter until cleared by emergency responders.

Never let your tank drop below 20% in winter. Keep snow and ice clear from tank vents, regulators, and lines. Do not use a heat gun or open flame to thaw frozen regulators — call us instead. Note: propane contracts in extreme cold, so your gauge may read lower than expected.

When a tank empties fully, air and moisture enter the lines. All appliances must be inspected and re-lit by a certified technician before use — this is a safety code requirement, not optional. Call us immediately at (320) 555-0197. We’ll deliver and send a technician for the re-light.

Have all propane appliances inspected by a licensed technician every year. Check that burner flames are steady blue — not orange or yellow. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. Never attempt DIY repairs on gas lines or appliances.

Pricing programs

Manage your propane costs

Propane prices fluctuate seasonally — rising in fall as winter demand builds. We offer programs to protect your budget.

Limited time

Pre-buy propane & lock in this season’s price before winter

Pricing varies by volume, delivery location, and program. Call us for a current quote — we’ll find the program that fits your needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions

Call when your tank gauge hits 20–30%. In winter, deliveries can take 2–3 business days, so don’t wait until it’s below 10%. Automatic delivery customers don’t need to monitor this — we handle it.

It depends on your original installation. Leased tanks are tied to a specific supplier. Owned tanks can be filled by any provider, including us. Check your installation paperwork, or call us at (320) 555-0197 — we’ll help you find out.

Yes, if you own your tank outright. We cannot fill tanks leased from another provider as those remain their property. Call ahead to confirm before scheduling your first delivery with us.

Residential deliveries typically have a 100-gallon minimum. For smaller tanks or unusual situations, call us — especially for first-time customers or emergency fills where we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

We use your usage history and weather data to estimate when you’ll need propane and schedule delivery proactively. You’ll receive a notification before we arrive. No calls or monitoring required on your end.

Residential tanks from 100 to 1,000 gallons, agricultural bulk tanks, and commercial tanks of various sizes. We also sell portable 20 lb, 33 lb, and 100 lb cylinders at our C-store location.

Request delivery

Start your propane service

Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to confirm your delivery. Need it sooner? Call our propane line directly.

Or call our propane scheduling line: (320) 555-0197  ·  Available Mon–Fri 7am–6pm  ·  24/7 for emergencies

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Propane

A clean, efficient energy solution

🔥 Save More with Propane from Tri County Co-op!

Clean • Efficient • Delivered in Bulk

Looking for an affordable, reliable energy source? Propane is a clean-burning fuel ideal for heating, cooking, hot water, and backup power—perfect for rural homes, farms, and small businesses.

💡 Why Choose Propane?

  • Lower emissions than oil or gasoline

  • Highly efficient energy source

  • Works during power outages

  • Safe and versatile—use it indoors and out!

🚚 We Deliver – In Bulk!
As a member of our oil co-op, you get competitive pricing on bulk propane deliveries—straight to your tank, when you need it. No middlemen, no hassle.

👥 Member-Owned, Community-Focused
Your energy dollars stay local, supporting neighbors and building energy independence for our region.


✅ Ready to Make the Switch or Refill?

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Lubricants

Cenex lubricants deliver superior protection and performance for engines and equipment. Formulated with advanced additives, they help reduce wear and extend equipment life.

Tri County Co-op has DEF available at the pump for quick, convenient access. Save time and stay compliant by filling up your diesel equipment or vehicles right here.

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