How to Request Emergency Propane Delivery on Delmarva
Reviewed by Jeff North, PepUp Home Propane Delivery Driver, October 26, 2026
PepUp delivers propane and heating oil to homes and businesses across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia on the Delmarva Peninsula. PepUp has served the region since 1963 from its headquarters in Federalsburg, Maryland, and is a Tri Gas Family Company.
Our customer service line at 800-638-7802 is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and we have drivers and technicians on call around the clock for emergency propane delivery.
Keeping an eye on your tank gauge is the easiest way to avoid an emergency delivery. That’s why so many PepUp customers choose Automatic Delivery, especially during the winter months.
Jump ahead to:
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- What should I do if my propane tank is empty?
- How do I check my propane tank level?
- What are the signs my propane tank is running low?
- How do I order emergency propane delivery from PepUp?
- What happens after PepUp refills an empty tank?
- How do I stay warm and safe while I wait for delivery?
- How can I avoid running out of propane again?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do if my propane tank is empty?
Call PepUp at 800-638-7802 right away. Our line is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Leave your tank valve alone until a PepUp professional arrives, because the system must be checked for leaks before the gas goes back on. If you smell gas, leave your home first and call from a safe place.
How do I check my propane tank level?
Home propane tanks are equipped with a gauge that indicates the current fuel level. The gauge features a needle pointing at a number that indicates the tank’s percentage fill level. If the needle is in the red zone or near empty, it’s an indication that your tank is running on empty and needs refilling.
We recommend calling to request a delivery when the tank is showing 30%. This allows us plenty of time to make a delivery before you run the risk of running empty. When your propane tank levels are lower than 30%, there are a few things you might notice that indicate it’s time for a delivery.
What are the signs my propane tank is running low?
- Appliances quit working properly. When a propane tank is running low, appliances that use propane may exhibit reduced performance. They may produce a lower flame or struggle to maintain a consistent temperature. If you notice a decrease in the efficiency of your propane-powered appliances, it could be an indication that your tank is nearing empty.
- Appliances are hard to light. If a burner or pilot light won’t light, your tank may be low on gas. Check your gauge and call PepUp. Please don’t try to relight a pilot over and over.
- Orange or yellow flames from your stove top burners. Propane flames typically burn with a blue color when the fuel supply is sufficient. When there isn’t enough propane reaching the burner, the flame may fail to burn efficiently, resulting in a change of color to yellow or even orange. Other factors like a dirty burner or insufficient air intake can also cause a change in flame color, so only consider flame color an indicator of low levels when accompanied by one of these other signs.
If you smell propane, treat it as a possible leak. Get everyone out of the house right away. Avoid light switches, phones, and anything that could spark. Once you are safely away, call PepUp at 800-638-7802, 911, or your fire department.
How do I order emergency propane delivery from PepUp?
- Check your tank gauge if you can do it safely to confirm low tank levels.
- Keep calm, and call PepUp to schedule emergency home propane delivery. PepUp’s primary customer service number is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and we always have drivers and technicians on call to help our customers with emergencies. Call 800-638-7802 right away if you suspect your tank is empty.
- Make sure your propane tank is accessible for your driver.
What happens after PepUp refills an empty tank?
When a propane tank runs empty, your gas system loses pressure and appliance pilot lights go out. Safety codes require a qualified professional to check the system for leaks before the gas is turned back on.
After your tank is filled, your PepUp professional checks the system for leaks and makes sure pilot lights are relit so your appliances can run safely. Please plan to be home so we can access your appliances.
How do I stay warm and safe while I wait for delivery?
- Use only heating equipment made for indoor use. Electric space heaters can help keep you warm and keep pipes from freezing. Plug them directly into a wall outlet and keep them at least three feet from beds, curtains, and furniture. Never heat your home with a gas oven, range, or grill. If you use a portable generator, run it outside and at least 20 feet from your home. Find more winter safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Insulate and conserve heat. Close doors, windows, and curtains to minimize heat loss. Use blankets, layer clothing, and focus on one or a few smaller rooms to stay warm until the propane is refilled.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. If you’re experiencing extremely cold temperatures and have elderly, very young, or special-needs family members, let us know when you call. Depending on your delivery timeline, you may need to visit someone with heat or request help getting fragile family members to a warm location.
How can I avoid running out of propane again?
The best winter propane heating plan is Automatic Delivery. PepUp’s Automatic Delivery service is insurance against getting caught without home propane. Our “No Run Out” Guarantee means never having to worry about running out of propane when it’s cold out and your home – and family – depend on propane-powered heat.
If you find yourself in need of an emergency tank refill, take the steps outlined above to get your tank refilled quickly. Then, consider signing up for The Promise Plan with Automatic Delivery. PepUp takes your home energy needs seriously, and will make sure your home stays fully fueled and warm when you need it most. Best of all, The Promise Plan makes it easier for you to budget for propane by averaging your payments over 11 months.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects lower propane prices nationally this winter. See our Home Heating Outlook to learn what that means for Delmarva homes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Emergency Propane Delivery
An emergency propane delivery is needed when your propane supply is critically low or completely empty and your ability to heat your home, cook, and heat water is, or will soon be, affected. Emergency deliveries are most common during cold weather, power outages, or unexpected spikes in propane usage.
PepUp provides 24/7 emergency propane delivery, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Delivery timing depends on weather conditions, road access, and driver availability, but emergency requests are prioritized, especially during winter and when propane is your primary heat source. We’ll get your tank filled within a few hours, in most cases.
Plan to be home if your tank is completely empty or your system has lost pressure. Your PepUp driver will need to access your appliances to check for leaks and confirm everything works safely.
When a home propane tank runs empty, the gas system loses pressure and pilot lights go out. Air and moisture can also get into the tank. A qualified propane professional must check the system for leaks before the gas is turned back on. After the refill, your PepUp professional completes the leak check and confirms your system is working safely.
Emergency delivery includes extra fees, depending on the time of day and whether your tank has run empty. Same-day delivery during business hours adds a delivery charge, and that fee increases after business hours. If you’re a Will Call customer and your tank has run out, you’ll also need a leak test, which is a separate fee. PepUp will explain any applicable charges upfront so you know what to expect before service is dispatched.
If you need emergency propane delivery, contact PepUp immediately at (800) 638-7802. A local Energy Specialist can assess your situation, confirm your account and service location, and dispatch a driver as quickly as possible.
PepUp’s “No Run Out” Guarantee protects customers enrolled in Automatic Delivery. If an Automatic Delivery customer runs out of propane and needs emergency delivery, PepUp provides a $100 account credit for Promise Plan customers, or a $50 account credit for non-Promise Plan customers, to help offset the inconvenience.
The “No Run Out” Guarantee applies to existing PepUp customers enrolled in Automatic Delivery. Customers who are not on Automatic Delivery or who request emergency delivery due to manual tank monitoring, or due to being on Will Call delivery status, may not qualify for the credit.
Yes! PepUp delivers emergency propane to new customers across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. New customers will need to pay for the propane and the emergency delivery fee before propane is delivered. Once we have the payment, we can deliver as soon as the same day or the next day. The next business day, we’ll call you to finish setting up your new customer account.
In some cases, new customers choose to wait the standard three (3) days for Will Call delivery to save money on the emergency delivery fee.
If you’ve needed emergency propane delivery in the past, PepUp recommends enrolling in:
- Automatic Delivery
- Wireless tank monitoring
- The Promise Plan (for price stability and added protection)
Together, these options help prevent future runouts and reduce the need for emergency propane delivery. Contact us today if you’d like to ensure your propane tank never runs out again.
Homeowners should never turn the gas back on at the propane tank after a run-out. A qualified professional must check the system for leaks first. Call PepUp at 800-638-7802 and leave the tank valve alone until help arrives.
A leak check confirms your system is safe once gas flows again. If an appliance valve or gas line was left open when the tank ran dry, gas could escape when the system is refilled. Safety codes require a qualified professional to handle this step.
No. Using a gas oven, range-top burners, or a grill for heat is unsafe and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Heat only with appliances made for indoor heating. Plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet and keep them at least three feet from anything that can burn.
A generator is safe only when it runs outside and at least 20 feet from your home. Never run one in a garage, basement, porch, or carport. Install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.
Treat any propane odor as a possible leak. Leave the house, avoid creating sparks, and call PepUp, 911, or the fire department from a safe place. See our Safety Page if you’re planning ahead. Leave the area and call us immediately at 800-638-7802 if you smell propane right now.
PepUp provides 24/7 emergency propane delivery across its service area in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. See if you’re in our service area.
We don’t fill other companies’ tanks. You would first need to establish service with PepUp and have one of our tanks delivered and set up at your home. Contact us if you’d like to talk about switching to PepUp.
Call PepUp when your tank gauge reads 30%. That gives us time to schedule a standard delivery before your fuel runs low, especially during cold weather.
Snow, ice, and blocked driveways can slow an emergency delivery. Clear a path to your tank so your driver can reach it quickly. Our propane delivery checklist covers everything you need to know to prepare for fuel delivery.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects lower propane prices this winter and about a 3% national drop in spending for homes that heat mainly with propane. Prices on Delmarva differ from the national average. See our latest Home Heating Outlook for what we expect for Delmarva residents.
Meet Contributor and PepUp Home Propane Delivery Driver, Jeff North
Customers in our East District – Federalsburg area may recognize this smiling PepUp face. Jeff North has been delivering home propane with a smile since 2021. Jeff says the best part of his job is getting friendly waves on the road. His favorite propane appliance is his easy-to-use living room fireplace insert.
