Anyone own their own propane tank?

smfcpacfp · Oct 22, 2008

for a furnace (i.e. 500 gallons or more)/

radman1 · Oct 22, 2008

I own my 500 gallon tank. Most used tanks in my area will cost about $1/gallon or less. A 500 gallon tank in good condition will be $400-500. A 1000 gallon tank $900-1000. You can rent them from suppliers, but then you have to buy their propane and pay monthly rental fee. Usually, after several years of renting, you could have owned your own used tank for the price of renting. Propane guy told me that above ground tanks last a very, very long time. Tanks in the ground can rust out and won't last as long. The valves or guages can be replaced if needed. We have tanks on the farm over 50 years old and in great shape. Just need to paint them once in awhile to stop the cosmetic surface rust. Even if you rent one, it may be a used repainted tank.

If you plan to use it for a long time, then consider buying. If you plan to move or quit using in several years, then rent.

Propane suppliers prefer 1000 gal tanks for residential use because they don't have to fill them as often. I have a large house and it is probably better suited for a 1000 gal tank. There is no charge for delivery and I am on a "keep full" policy. It is their responsibility to make sure I don't run out. If I do run out, then they have to purge all the lines and restart the fireplaces, stoves, furnace in my shed and water heaters at no cost. I have run out about 3 times over the past 7 years. It takes them about 2 hours to get everything working. (You would think they would learn.) They will even come out at night or on the weekend in the winter if I run out. (Been there, done that.)

schmism · Oct 22, 2008

id like to, i run across 500 gal ones on craigslist quite often. but getting them to me is always an issue.

Id like 1000 gal storage so i only had to buy LP once a year (durring the cheep season)

as it is i run a 500 gal tank supplied from a local LP company. no cost to rent and they dont seem to cut much of a deal if you own your own.

skipro3 · Oct 22, 2008

Speaking of which;
How much for propane in your neck of the woods? For me, here in Northern California, I just got filled with 220 gallons of propane at $2.50 per gallon. I also rent the tank and they charge $90 per year.

kennyd · Oct 22, 2008

I own my 1000 gallon tank. Just had it topped off for $2.35 a gallon this past Monday

absrio · Oct 22, 2008

I called yesterday to put in about 350 gallons to top off the tank for the season. I live about 2 miles from where they deliver from but we own our 500 gallon tank. Cost was $2.23 a gallon. If I pay within 15 days its $2.03 a gallon. Last year we went through about 600 gallons while we got the house ready to move into. This year we got all the floors back in and the bad windows replaced so hopefully we do not use as much.

radman1 · Oct 22, 2008

I just received a contract for 1000 gal @$1.90. The noncontract price is slightly lower but I don't know the amount. 1000 gallons will usually take me through the fall and into the start of summer. I think the tank rental fee is $10/month.

300UGUY · Oct 22, 2008

I own mine, never thought about it, just the way my propane supplier works. Have had the same supplier for almost 20 years, no problems, usually my price is pretty competitive.

scott_vt · Oct 23, 2008

smfcpacfp said:
for a furnace (i.e. 500 gallons or more)/

Good Evenin smfcpacfp,
I own my own 330 gal. As others have allready said its worth it in the long run, and the good part is you can go shopping for the lowest propane rates in your area !

texasjohn · Oct 23, 2008

I own my 500 gallon tank. Have repainted it once in 25 years. Just refilled it
at $2.37/gallon after calling around and finding several suppliers at $2.70 ish.
Found out that since 9/11 there are rules about testing the tanks... some
were willing to do so for free, others wanted up to $75 to do it. Owning is
better than renting, IMHO.

rcaretti · Oct 23, 2008

I own my 500 gal buried tank. When we had the house built, the builder had a local supplier provide a tank, but they upcharge ~20 or 25 cents a gallon for those tanks that are provided and under contract. I ended up buying out my contract for $1250 - highway robbery I know, but I'll more than make it up with cheaper propane over time. I probaby use somewhere between 1200 and 1400 gallons a year.

You guys are getting a great deal on propane - I paid 2.89 a gallon and was thinking I'd be paying more. I watch the residential prices for my area at Heating Oil and Propane Update Someone here supplied this link some time ago.

smfcpacfp · Oct 24, 2008

scott_vt said:
Good Evenin smfcpacfp,
I own my own 330 gal. As others have allready said its worth it in the long run, and the good part is you can go shopping for the lowest propane rates in your area !

That is my thinking as well, but I can't seem to find anyone who sells them.

schmism · Oct 24, 2008

smfcpacfp said:
That is my thinking as well, but I can't seem to find anyone who sells them.

just about any propane dealer will sell you a new tank. some MIGHT sell a used tank.

on avg i find one a month on craigslist usually 500gal tanks for $300-$500

joes_427_vette · Oct 24, 2008

I own a 500 gal tank. Most recent price is $1.84 per gal. I can make it on one tank a year. Usually run low in March. When it is cold they put in 86% vs 80 % in the warmer months. Tank rentals run $50. a year at most places but they reserve the right to fill it at their convience. ( truck in the area and usually at peak price )

Bye the way... nice vette. I have 4 old ones ( that followed me home ) but the new prices are not in my immediate future. I didn't even get one out of the garage this summer. I'm spoiled by the new cars with A/C and soft suspensions.

deere755 · Oct 24, 2008

I contracted propane for 2.299 a gallon. I have heard that it has went down some but we are locked in to the contract. I am not sure if this is true or not. I am supposed to rent my tank but I never have recieved a bill in 7 years I have lived here. If I do I will be buying one.

Skyco · Oct 25, 2008

Ran into a weird deal in Estes Park Colorado about 5 years ago- was out there on a camping trip to the Rockies and ran out of propane in my little 20lb tank for the truck camper. This was in February so heat was critical

Went into town and the only propane supplier I found refused to fill my little tank because I couldn't prove I "owned" it

WTH? Never ran into that anywhere else, again remember this is a small tank normally used on gas grills/campers etc..
Talking with the guy their objection was the shrink wrapped label of some gas company back home. Being somewhat of a smart aleck I asked if he'd fill it if I peeled off the label..

He said yes. I did and he filled it. Again- WTH? Anyone ever heard of the likes of that?

scott_vt · Oct 25, 2008

Skyco said:
Anyone ever heard of the likes of that?

Good Afternoon Skyco,
Well not that particular anomily, but I have had propane suppliers refuse to fill my 20 lb bottles because it had the quick disconnect fitting on it !

It seems every few years they come up with another gazatch and associated rule to get rid of the old bottles out there !

schmism · Oct 25, 2008

scott_vt said:
Good Afternoon Skyco,
Well not that particular anomily, but I have had propane suppliers refuse to fill my 20 lb bottles because it had the quick disconnect fitting on it ! It seems every few years they come up with another gazatch and associated rule to get rid of the old bottles out there !

yep, thats when you swap them out at Home depot or lowes.

i pick up old ones with busted valves and stuff for free and take them there and swap out.

still looking for a wet tap setup for my tank so i can fill mine at home

CrazyQ · Oct 30, 2008

I own my 500 gallon tank. Unfortuantely we have a private bridge that my fuel supplier has recently refused to cross over to access the fuel delivery location. I don't really need a tank this big becuase it only runs the water heater, back up heat, and occassionally gas lights when the power goes out. I am considering trade/purchase of a couple 100 lb tanks so that I can take them to get filled myself. I dont know if it is an option or not but has anyone ever seen or considered a mobile 500 gallon tank (off road use only). If it was on a trailer I could haul it down near the bridge where the supplier can access it without crossing. Any ideas?