Pilot light won't stay lit
If your water heater pilot light repeatedly goes out, a safety shutoff may be detecting a problem. Turn off the appliance and call for service — do not relight repeatedly.
Yellow or orange burner flame
A healthy propane flame is blue. Yellow or orange flames may indicate a clog or venting issue. Turn off the appliance and call Acorn LPG for service.
Carbon monoxide symptoms
Flu-like symptoms — headache, dizziness, nausea — that clear up outside may signal CO poisoning. Leave immediately and seek medical attention. Install a CO detector in your home.
Soot or blockage near vents
Dark marks around vent caps can indicate incomplete combustion. Do not operate the appliance — call for a service inspection, especially after heavy snowfall.
The best defense against a propane leak or carbon monoxide poisoning is early detection. The following steps and recommended products can give you and your family critical extra time to get out safely — before a situation becomes an emergency.
Install detectors on every level
Place a combination propane/CO detector on each floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas and any room with a gas appliance. Low placement is key — propane sinks to the floor.
Test detectors monthly
Press the test button on each detector once a month to confirm it is working. Replace batteries every six months — or choose a unit with a 10-year sealed battery so you never have to worry.
Know your detector's lifespan
Most CO and gas detectors have a lifespan of 5–7 years. Check the manufacture date on the back of your unit and replace it on schedule — an expired detector may not alarm when you need it most.
Check vents & appliances annually
Have a qualified technician inspect all propane appliances, vents, and connections once a year — ideally before heating season. Blocked vents are a leading cause of CO buildup indoors.
Never run engines or generators indoors
Generators, grills, and vehicles produce high levels of CO. Never operate them inside a garage, basement, or enclosed space — even with the door open. Keep them at least 20 feet from windows and doors.
Know the smell — and what to do
Propane smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. If you detect even a faint odor, treat it as a real leak. Do not investigate — evacuate immediately and call 911 from outside.
We recommend every propane household have at minimum a combination CO/gas detector and a standalone smoke alarm on each level. The products below are highly rated, UL-listed, and appropriate for propane homes.
- Detects propane, CO & natural gas
- Digital display with peak-level memory
- Battery backup for power outages
- 85-decibel alarm
- Electrochemical CO sensor
- Backlit digital display
- Remote false-alarm silencing
- End-of-life timer built in
- Real-time app alerts on your phone
- Works with propane & natural gas
- LED display & audible alarm
- Easy 2.4GHz Wi-Fi setup
- 10-year sealed battery — no changes needed
- 85-decibel alarm
- Interconnectable with other units
- Meets NFPA & UL standards
- ABC-rated for most home fires
- 5 lb. — easy to handle
- Metal valve & handle, UL listed
- Wall-mount bracket included
Where to place detectors in your home
Outside each sleeping area and on every level. At least 5 feet above the floor — CO rises with warm air.
Near the floor — propane is heavier than air and sinks. Place within a few inches of floor level near appliances.
On the ceiling or high on the wall, on every level, inside and outside each sleeping area.
In the kitchen (not directly above the stove), near the propane tank, and in the garage or utility room.