Looking at Propane for your home

Propane Tanks - Renting vs. Buying?

Prospective propane customers often have the option of either buying or leasing a propane tank for their needs. There are pros and cons for both the rental and purchase of propane tanks that should be taken into consideration when deciding between buying a tank or leasing one. It really boils down to a few things:

• How much does the propane tank cost to buy versus how much does it cost to rent?

• What are the terms of the lease tank contract?

• Do you want to be tied to buying gas to the tank that owns the tank?

Additionally, propane companies have differing policies that factor into the decision of whether to rent or buy. There are obviously too many factors involved with tank rental versus purchase while individual circumstances vary widely but the overall process is outlined here and will hopefully help with your decision.

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Buying a Propane Tank - New Tank Purchase

Purchasing a propane tank is more common than renting one in some parts of the country. A propane tank purchase price will generally include the piping from the tank to the house as well as all regulators, fittings, gas and other installation related parts. But i found a few companies that do charge for those items. So ask about any additional fees.These costs associated with a tank purchase are common throughout the propane industry and are explained to customers prior to the installation. Most companies will not sell and install a tank without filling it with propane. Nor will a dealer sell a tank to an unlicensed individual for installation by themselves. If choosing to buy, the gas company selling the tank will likely have financing available for qualified buyers or the tank can be paid for at the time of installation. One of the primary advantages of buying and owning the tank is that the customer can buy propane from whatever gas company they choose. Other issues to consider with buying a propane tank:

• Prices vary based on the size of the propane tank to be purchased

• Tank financing is often available with approved credit with one year terms.

• Warranty on tank, parts and labor should be discussed with the propane company prior to purchase.

• Propane prices sometimes differ for customers that own their own tank.

• Selling your home doesn't burden the next owner with acquiring propane service as the tank is part of the sale.

Propane Tank Rental - Leasing a Tank

Leasing a propane tank is an option that many potential customers have, provided they meet certain requirements. Many propane companies require a minimum annual propane usage,

Several things to think about if renting a tank is an option:

• Company owned tanks are maintained by the propane company so any repairs to the tank will generally be taken care of by the propane company. 

• All propane must be purchased from the company that owns the tank. Buying gas from another company will likely result in the termination of the tank lease.

• Most propane companies require that rental tanks are filled by scheduled delivery (automatic filling) which is much safer and protective of the customer.

• Propane companies pay very close attention to their lease tanks for their customers' protection as well as their own.

• Lease tank contracts often give the propane company the legal right to enter property to inspect the tank.

• Moving to a new home will require you to notify your propane company of your relocation.

All in all, the differences between buying a propane tank outright and leasing one boil down to the maintenance of the tank and who is responsible for the repair cost. If leasing a tank, always ask them about maintenance? Who pays for repairs? 

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Know the Size You Need

When using propane, you need to know what tank size will fit your needs. You can use propane for almost every appliance in your home. Create a list of the appliances you want to switch to propane, and your tank installer can help you determine the tank size that will fulfill your needs. But, we’ve listed some of the most popular sizes to help guide your decision.

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Small Tanks

20LB tanks work for gas grills and smaller needs, like a fireplace. This size will not work for heating a home. But, it’s easy to buy more tanks and have a backup supply

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Medium Tanks

420LB tanks are big enough to use as a heating solution. They can power generators, swimming pools, propane fireplaces, and more. This tank is also known as a 100-gallon tank because it holds 100 gallons of propane.

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Large Tanks

1,000-gallon tanks are perfect if you have a large home. It can provide home heating, cooking, pool heating, and more. This tank size is best for homes at least 4,500 square feet, and you can always buy a 500-gallon tank for the same effect in a smaller home.

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RESIDENTIAL TANK INSTALLATION (Location on Property)

Now as i state in my Builders Guide...Consider the propane company when it comes to Delivery

& filling it up. Make sure wherever you end up having your propane tank that the Company delivering can get to it easily enough, specially during winter time. Cause if they cant get to it,

you may be out of luck.  For me, i put mine closer to the road on my property, easy access for them. They dont need to even drive on my property.

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Where Do You Put It?

There are two main places you can put a propane tank: above ground and underground.

The most common propane tank option is above-ground because it’s easier to fill and

maintain. You should base the placement of the propane tank on the size of the tank.

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Level Surface- you can put a concrete pad in for a propane tank, but its not required. 

As long as its level & stable where you put it. 

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How far from my house do I need to place my propane tank?

If you have a 250-gallon or larger tank, the magic number — or rather, distance — is 10 feet.

When planning your installation, make sure you lay out the space so that the tank will be at

least 10 feet from the house; 10 feet from the property line; 10 feet from exhaust vents and windows; and 10 feet from any ignition source, like window air-conditioning units, compressors,

or open flames. Where does my propane tank need to be placed for refilling and maintenance? 

Make sure the tank is near the driveway or a road, preferably flat and paved, while still following the 10-feet rule above. (Can not be near any structures)

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Ask Questions

When you’re new to the world of propane, it’s important to ask your installer questions!

They’re there to support you through this process. Before you install the tank, reach out

to your installation company and ask them what tank and location would be right for your

home. You should contact them again a few days before installation to go over instructions.

They can explain to you everything you need to do before they arrive. After the installation process, your installer will talk to you about how to properly use the tank. Ask them any

questions about maintenance and usage you might have. Remember, you can always

contact them with any questions you might have after the process is complete.

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Make Room for Delivery (installing propane tank)

Finally, you need to create a clear path for delivery vehicles. The bath needs to be accessible to the machinery that will install the tank. Debris, obstacles, and anything blocking the road to the installation site needs to be clear. This also needed when they fill up propane as well.

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