Propane is a cost-effective, versatile fuel that can be delivered directly to homes or businesses. With a propane tank and monitoring system, you can customize your refueling process and save cents per gallon compared to other energy sources.

The size of your house and appliances will determine the propane tank you need. Make sure to clear a path for the delivery truck and its hose to reach your tank location and adhere to safety codes.

Choosing a Supplier

Choosing a propane supplier is an important decision, just like selecting a phone, internet or cable TV provider. It pays to research and ask the right questions to ensure your energy needs are met, and you get a good deal.

Look for a company that offers convenient delivery options that fit your lifestyle and usage needs. For example, automatic delivery allows you to rest easy, knowing your supplier will come out and fill your tank on a schedule based on your historical propane usage.

Some suppliers also offer a “will call” delivery option where you monitor propane usage and call to fill your tank. If you choose this option, ensure your driveway is clear and marked for the delivery driver to park in so they don’t have to lug a propane tank through snow or ice. Ask your propane suppliers about their safety records and any regulatory programs they participate in.

Getting Started

Propane suppliers maintain large storage tanks used to refill smaller propane tanks at homes and businesses on the supplier’s delivery route. Homeowners can be automatic refills or will-call customers (who must call when their tank is about 30% full).

A monitor floats atop the liquid propane and indicates approximately what percentage of the tank is filled. This is helpful for homeowners because if the tank is nearly empty, they will have to call to schedule a propane delivery right away to prevent a possible runout.

Ask about hidden costs, including fuel surcharges, regulatory compliance fees, etc. Many propane companies may seem cheaper initially, but their prices will increase when you add all the extra charges. By comparison, Texas Best Propane quotes its prices by gallon and includes all fees upfront. This gives you an accurate picture of your total propane cost.

Installation

Propane delivery equipment is similar to the gas tanks on a car, with a large tank on your property and fuel lines that run to propane appliances. Propane tanks can either be rented or purchased for a fee upfront.

During installation, a propane company will thoroughly inspect your property to ensure that a propane tank is properly placed at the right distance from your house, your home’s gas line, and other objects. Once a site has been chosen, a concrete pad will be installed to help the tank stand securely.

If you opt for will-call propane delivery, contact the company when your tank is about 20% full so they can come out to fill it up before you run out. This prevents you from scheduling deliveries at night and saves the propane company fees, as they want to avoid paying drivers overtime for making a midnight delivery.

Maintenance

Since propane is not delivered through pipes like natural gas, it must be stored in tanks in homes that use it. These tanks can run dry, much like a gas tank on a car, and they need to be refilled to continue heating a home or running appliances.

Propane companies don’t want customers to run out of fuel because it costs them time and money to pay a driver overtime to make a late-night delivery, as well as potential liability for a customer if they lose power or cause damage due to the lack of fuel in their home. Some providers offer automatic propane delivery to avoid this, so you don’t have to remember to monitor your tank and call for a refill.

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.