For our rental home, I recently purchased a propane grill. With heavy use, the tank, as you could expect, runs out rather frequently. Because I deal with propane prices on a regular basis, I can provide you with all the information you require.
Filling a 20-pound gas tank will cost between $14 and $20. The amount you pay is determined by the cost of a refill, which is normally between $3 and $4 per gallon. Multiply the cost of propane per gallon by 4.7 because a 20 pound propane tank holds around 4.7 gallons. For instance, $3 multiplied by 4.7 equals $14.10.
Some people use a propane tank swap, which is a service provided by many big box stores such as Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot. The cost of the transaction is normally around $20 plus tax, however there are occasionally discounts. Filling saves roughly $8 on average.
Pro Tip: If you ever buy a new tank, I highly recommend getting one with a built-in gauge, such as one of these on Amazon.
What is the cost of a new 100-pound propane tank?
Installing a propane tank for a house can cost anywhere from $700 to $4,500, but expect to pay around $1,500 for a 500-gallon above-ground tank and $2,000 for a 500-gallon subterranean tank on average. The cost of a home is determined by its size, how much of it is powered by gas, and the climate, if heating is involved.
Expect to pay between $50 and $150 for small grilling and auxiliary propane tanks. A basic 20 pound tank will set you back roughly $35, while a larger 100 pound tank will set you back around $150.
Grilling
As previously stated, 20-pound propane tanks are used for small chores such as cooking single meals. If you’re grilling on a medium-sized barbecue, one tank of propane will normally last between 18 and 20 hours. Larger barbecues, on the other hand, can consume 20 pounds of propane in as little as 10 hours.
If you use a medium-sized grill on high heat, you’ll need one or two pounds of fuel per meal on average. That works out to about 8 grilling sessions per tank.
Furnaces
The industry standard for measuring the heating efficiency of domestic equipment is the British Thermal Unit, or BTUs. One gallon of propane equals 92,000 BTUs, and the average house furnace uses 100,000 BTUs. The average house furnace consumes about one gallon of propane each hour.
Depending on how often you turn on your furnace, a house furnace might burn anywhere from 500 to 1,200 gallons of propane every year.
Hot Water Heaters
The amount of hot water you use depends on how many bathrooms you have and how many people are in and out of your home. The average residence uses approximately 1.5 gallons of propane per day for conventional hot water heating.
For hot water, the average homeowner will use between 200 and 300 gallons of propane each year.
The average homeowner will consume about 2.5, 500-gallon propane tanks for house heating and cooking each year.
Does propane have a shelf life?
Another reason to use Bottini Fuel for propane delivery is that propane does not have a shelf life or an expiration date. This is due to the fact that propane is non-perishable! Other fuels, such as kerosene, diesel, heating oil, and gasoline, can degrade with time.
Is it true that all 20-pound propane tanks are the same?
Tanks range in size from compact 20-pound containers to over 2,000-gallon tanks. The size of your propane tank is determined by the size of your home and the quantity and size of gas-powered appliances.
More information about propane tank sizes can be found in the propane tank size guide below. It’s crucial to remember that a propane tank can only be filled to 80% capacity. When the tank is full, the details will show how many gallons you’ll have.
How many gallons does a 20-pound propane tank hold?
Few people know that when I was in high school, I worked at Taylor Hardware as a gas filling machine. As a result, I’m familiar with tank tare weights (the weight of an empty tank) and other propane jargon.
For the past seven years, I’ve been hooking up my faithful Weber barbecue to a 500 gallon underground tank at my Taylors home. When I relocated to an all-electric house earlier this year, I had to go back to a conventional 20-pound BBQ grill tank. I also explored cylinders weighing 30, 33, 40, 60, and 100 pounds to prevent having to refill as frequently. I discovered that new 30 or 33 lb cylinders cost at least twice as much as 20 lb cylinders, and that locating lightly used ones on Craigslist was impossible.
I paid 29.97 for a new 20-pound tank from Home Depot, which included a 10% off competitors coupon and a 10% discount on an eBay gift card. (Tanks at Costco are 28.99, whereas Amazon’s are around $45). So, where do you put it?
A Little About Propane Tanks
These “20 pound” tanks can hold up to 20 pounds of propane. Depending on the temperature of the tank and surrounding air when it was filled, you may get a pound or two less. More propane in when it’s cooler, less when it’s hotter. Tanks can hold an additional 20% of water, but that extra capacity is designed to expand as the temperature rises.
Filling a tank to the full 20 pound capacity may be more of a concern/rule in particularly cold winter climates, such as Canada. This is because if you leave a tank outside in bitterly cold temperatures, fill it when it’s cold, and then move it into a heated basement/garage to use as a space heater, the gas will expand as it warms. The pressure relief setting in the tank will release a little amount of gas if the temperature rises sufficiently. If the relief value was seeping to outside air, this would be less of an issue.
The “tare weight” or “T.W.” is stamped on the collar of every propane tank. Calculate the tare weight + 20 lbs for a grill-sized tank, and that’s how much the tank should weigh when it’s filled. When entirely empty, most 20 pound tanks have a tare weight of +/- 17 pounds. A propane tank that is “full” should weigh around 37 pounds.
The collar also has a month and year on it, showing when the tank was constructed. For 20-pound propane tanks, you have 12 years from the date of manufacture to re-certify the tank with a new date stamped on it. Re-certification simply adds 5 years to the time between re-certifications. Almost always, the cost and hassle of re-certifying outweighs the cost of a new tank.
New propane tanks may contain air and need to be “purged” before being filled for the first time. Some newer tanks, such as Bernzomatic’s, will have a tag on them stating that they do not need to be purged within 6 months of purchase.
Purging necessitates the use of a particular adaptor that allows a limited quantity of propane to enter. A one-way bleeder valve is then pushed open by the pressure. Purging a new tank can cost an extra $3-4 dollars, though some places don’t charge for it, especially if you buy the tank from them.
The Math on Refills at Costco
Searches on the internet suggest the following:
- The weight of a gallon of propane is 4.2 pounds.
- A “full” 20 pound propane cylinder should hold 4.7 gallons of propane.
When I contacted around, I discovered that a refill at the nearby U-Haul would cost $16. I recall seeing a sign at Costco advertising $9.99 refills. I thought I was getting a good deal, but it turned out I was getting nothing.
Costco in Greenville, SC is misleading since they hand you a slip with the words “20 pound cylinder” on it. The receipt shows “20lb PROPANE” when you pay inside, and the filling printout states “Cylinder: 20S lbs.” The only justification is that the printing of the filling is accurate, stating “3.6 gallons.” Nobody, on the other hand, is aware that a propane tank must contain 4.7 gallons in order to be deemed “full.” They are concealing the fact that they put in 75% by reporting 3.6 gallons. “We will put 15 pounds of propane into this 20 lb cylinder,” they’d say if they wanted to be honest.
The rumour on the web forums is that similar exchange businesses like Blue Rhino and AmeriGas put in 75 percent, or 15 pounds.
If you do the math on Costco, you’ll see that it’s not a horrible deal. It’s comparable to, if not less expensive than, $16 for a whole 20 pound bag. However, Costco’s use of the phrase “20 pound” is regrettable. I believe their motivation is to offer a lower price so that members believe they are receiving a good bargain. Plus, by only occupying 75 percent of the slots, members are more likely to return and shop inside while they wait.
Conclusion
- Owning a propane tank and re-filling it will be less expensive than hiring an exchange service if you’re seeking for the best deal. You pay a premium for convenience, as is customary.
- Inquire about the amount of propane that will be put into the cylinder. For full capacity, there should be 20 pounds going in.
- When you arrive home, weigh the tank; it should weigh around 37 pounds. If it weights 31-32 pounds, it’s safe to assume that just 15 pounds of propane were used.
- When you do the math, Costco’s propane price is still reasonable.
Bonus – Weber Grills
At Taylor Hardware, I also put the grills together. We sold a lot of Weber grills, and they were by far the best. With proper care and a cover, your Weber barbecue can easily last 10-20 years. You can buy other low-cost brands, but their steel parts will rust in 2-3 years. You can buy a fancy-looking stainless steel grill from Home Depot that won’t rust, but it will cook unevenly or the handle or wheels will break off, and you’ll be back in the store in five years to buy another one.
Bonus – Side Burners
I also assisted in the sale of the BBQ grills. We did sell a couple with side burners, but they were never heavily promoted. Despite their best efforts, I recall many talks with clients who had previously paid more for a side burner and never used it. You’re probably only going to use the side burner once or twice, so don’t spend the money unless you’re certain you’ll use it.
What is the cost of a 120 gallon propane tank?
Propane tanks are available in a variety of sizes. The larger the suggested size, the more fuel you use. You can utilize smaller tanks, but you will pay more in long-term delivery expenses. The price of your tank is determined by its capacity and location above and below ground.
Gallon Propane Tank Cost
100-gallon propane tanks are put above ground and cost between $300 and $500. Typically, a 100-gallon unit can be built alongside your property. It is often large enough to power a single device, but depending on how often you use that appliance, you may need to replace the tank regularly. Two 100-gallon units can be placed next to each other. This effectively increases your capacity without taking up a lot of room. If you use propane for more than one device, this is probably too tiny.
Gallon Propane Tank Cost
The cost of a 120-gallon propane tank varies between $350 and $600. This is an above-ground installation. This small unit can also be placed close to the house. This is a popular size to install for utilizing one or more appliances, but depending on how much you use it, you may need to replenish it frequently. Installing two tanks of this size together is also usual. This reduces the amount of refills required and increases the number of appliances that can be used simultaneously.
Cost of a 250-Gallon Propane Tank
A propane tank with a capacity of 250 gallons costs between $450 and $1,000. A unit of this size can normally be placed next to a house. The unit can usually handle numerous appliances at this size, but the rate at which you use them determines how often you need to refill it. Two 250-gallon propane tanks are frequently put together in homes that use gas heating. This could be a nice substitute for a larger 500-gallon tank in your yard. Instead of the larger tank, which must be built 10 feet away, the smaller ones can be installed closer to the house.
Gallon Propane Tank Price
When built above ground, a 500-gallon propane tank costs between $700 and $2,500. This unit costs between $1,500 and $3,000 to install below ground. This is the smallest size needed to keep most households warm. Instead of vertical smaller tanks, this is a huge horizontal cylinder. It can go above or below ground, but it must be at least 10 feet away from the house. As a result, because it takes up a lot of room, it is more typically put below ground.
,000-Gallon Propane Tank Cost
When built above ground, a 1,000-gallon propane tank costs between $1,500 and $3,000. It costs between $2,500 and $5,000 to install this unit below ground. This device can accommodate a large home’s heating and appliance needs. This is the tank you’ll need if your home is more than 2,000 square feet and you use propane for heating and appliances. This unit is quite huge, and while it may be positioned above ground, it must be far enough away from the house to not encroach on yard space. As a result, many people choose to have these enormous tanks buried underground.
How long would a 100-pound gas tank keep you going?
Examples. Your 100-pound bottle will fuel your propane fireplace for roughly 84 hours at a consumption rate of 26,000 BTU per hour, which is equivalent to 3.5 days of continuous 24/7 running.