Sunday 15 March 2015

A Plethora Of Propane: What You Need To Know About Tanks, Prices & Refills

By Cath Buhr


If you are a propane newbie, it can seem a bit overwhelming to make the switch. Keep in mind, propane is a highly efficient fuel that not only is safer for the environment than other fuel sources, it can be more affordable if you know a few tricks. Here's some advice to help you get started.

1. Propane Tanks: The Big First Step

This can be overwhelming because you have so many decisions to make. Fortunately, they are all pretty easy. You can buy a propane tank or you can rent/lease a tank. Some companies make it easy to buy. For instance, Thrifty Propane will give a free tank if you pre-buy a large amount of propane from them at one time. Of course, they also offer a lease-to-own program for those who cannot afford the cost of the propane and the price of a tank. In general, there are several different sizes of propane tanks, from your smaller 100-gallon propane tank up to a huge, 1,000-gallon propane tank.

Generally, a 500-gallon tank is suitable for a typical family home with four or five residents, but if you live in a colder area or have more family members, you might opt for ashe 1,000-gallon propane tank. Likewise, a smaller family or someone who rarely uses their household heater might be just fine with a 300-gallon propane tank or 250-gallon propane tank.

2. Propane Costs Change Every Day

Just like gasoline, the cost per gallon of propane can change every day, and these price changes can have a big effect on your energy costs. When demand is higher, the cost typically increases. Often this demand is highest during the winter months, as homeowners simply need more propane to heat their homes. The price of petroleum also can affect your propane costs, as propane is a byproduct of both natural gas and petroleum.

If possible, work with a company like Thrifty Propane who will send you alerts letting you know when prices are especially low as this is a great time to buy. For instance, if propane prices dropped to under one dollar per gallon, this can be a great time to buy all of your propane for the year if possible. If you purchase 500 gallons of propane at $0.75 per gallon, this costs just $375 and it might be all the propane you will need for the whole year.

3. How Much Is In Your Tank?

One of the biggest mistakes that propane customers make is not keeping an eye on their propane. As the supply goes down, it is important to make sure you reorder and give plenty of time for delivery. Sometimes a company can come fill up your tank in just one day or two, but sometimes weather and demand will extend this delivery time. If you end up in a real emergency and need an emergency tank fill, this will be an extra charge. So as soon as you get down to 30%, give your delivery company a call.




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