Harvest is wrapping up and the nights are getting serious. For most homes across north-central Iowa, the furnace has already been cycling for a few weeks — which means the propane year has quietly started.

November is the last comfortable month to get ahead of it. Everything on this list is easier now than it will be in a storm.

Start With the Number on the Gauge

Lift the dome on your tank and you'll find a dial that reads in percent, not gallons. That trips people up, so do the math once and remember it:

• A 500-gallon tank fills to about 400 gallons — so 30% is roughly 150 gallons
• A 1000-gallon tank fills to about 800 gallons — so 30% is roughly 300 gallons
• Tanks fill to about 80% by design, leaving room for propane to expand in warm weather

Going into winter, you want to be well up the dial — not because you'll run out tomorrow, but because a full tank gives you room for a cold snap, a storm, and a delivery day all at once.

Have the Appliances Looked At While It's Quiet

Service calls are easy to get in November and hard to get in January. If your furnace, water heater, or any propane appliance is due for a look, this is the month for it.

Two things worth doing yourself while you're out there: put a fresh battery in every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the house, and press the test button on each one. It's the time of year everything is sealed up tight.

Think About Next Year's Bill Now

Propane pricing follows demand, and demand follows weather. If you'd rather not ride that up and down all winter, ask us about pre-buy and budget programs — they're built for exactly this problem.

And if you're tired of watching the gauge at all, ask about getting on an automatic delivery schedule. We track your usage against the weather and come before you get low.

Make Sure We Can Reach the Tank

Our trucks are big, heavy, and pulling a hose. Before the snow starts stacking up, walk the route:

1. Clear the approach and a walking path to the tank
2. Mark the tank with a tall stake or flag if drifts tend to bury it
3. Trim back anything that has grown in over the summer
4. Plan where snow gets piled so it doesn't block the approach

A tank tucked behind a machine shed is easy in October and a real problem in February.

Serving Homes and Farms Across North-Central Iowa

W&H Cooperative delivers propane to homes, farms, and businesses across Webster, Humboldt, and Wright counties and the surrounding communities, including:

• Fort Dodge and Badger
• Humboldt, Dakota City, and Livermore
• Eagle Grove and Renwick
• Gilmore City, Vincent, Rutland, and Bode
• Otho, Barnum, Duncombe, and the surrounding rural communities

Nearly a century of Iowa winters, and we're not going anywhere. Call 800-392-3816 and we'll get you set for the season.