Saturday, January 17, 2015

Tips & Information About Propane Tanks

By Cath Buhr


If you have decided to switch over to propane as one of your main sources of energy, the process begins by selecting a proper propane tank. These tanks come in several different sizes, and you need to purchase or lease one that will be large enough to suit your energy needs. Before you select a tank, consider the following tips.

Chances are you have seen a few of your neighbors' above-ground propane tanks. These are quite common and come in many sizes, from a small 100-gallon propane tank all the way up to big 1,000-gallon propane tanks. However, many people also have the option of having a 500-gallon propane tank or 1,000-gallon propane tank buried underground. This latter option costs a bit more upfront since there is more prep work involved, but it is definitely something you might wish to consider.

You might be wondering about the physical sizes of the propane tanks, as well, to gauge what will fit into your yard. A 1,000-gallon propane tank will be about 16-feet long with a diameter of about 41 inches. A 500-gallon propane tank will be around 10-feet long and have a diameter or approximately 37 inches. A 250-gallon propane tank will be 7.5-feet long and the diameter runs about 30 inches.

The size of tank you choose will depend on the size of your yard, as well as the amount of propane that you might use during the year. For a standard three-bedroom home, you might use between 500 gallons to 1,000 gallons of propane each year. This, of course, depends upon the weather conditions where you live as well as which appliances are hooked up to your tank. You might have only your heater or perhaps your heater, gas range, dryer and water heater. All of this should factor into your decision of how much propane to buy and how large a tank you will need.

You can purchase tanks or simply rent or lease one, and some companies will offer a lease-to-own option. Propane tank prices depend upon the size and whether or not you purchase a new tank or opt for a refurbished tank. For instance, if you want to purchase a 100-gallon propane tank, these cost between about $350 to $500. The biggest tanks such as a 500-gallon propane tank will run between around $700 up to more than $1,000 and the largest, 1000-gallon tanks can cost more than $2,000 for a new tank. If you want an underground tank, the price is about $400 to $500 higher than the above-ground propane tanks.

When shopping around for propane delivery, be sure to check out more than propane prices and the cost of a propane tank refill. Some companies also offer many special deals and programs. Thrifty Propane is one such company, and they offer pre-buy specials, which can be a great way to save hundreds off your yearly propane bill. If you buy a large amount of propane during the hot summer months, the price is much lower than it will be during the winter, so pre-buying makes a lot of sense.




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