Propane tanks...own vs. rent?

Allen W · #21 01/15/10, 01:23 PM

If your buying a used tank, espesially from an individual, buy one that still has pressure in it. If they aren't holding pressure the fill valves can open and get water in them and freeze and break.

beaglady · #22 01/15/10, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rose2005

Our neighbor used a different company from us. We both got filled up last week. The company he uses is charging $4.16 ours is charging $2.10

Rose

We had a problem with our (former) propane supplier charging considerably more than other suppliers. When I phoned them to ask how their propane could cost so much more than other local suppliers, they backed off and reduced the price. They also gave me a very convoluted explanation of how their prices were sometimes higher because they bought more than other suppliers so they would never run out.

Their explanation, along with them making an automatic delivery when we were set up for 'will call' only, is why they're our former propane company.

There was a similar story on our local news last week, with that customer being charged over $6 a gallon. They showed the delivery ticket with the company name blocked out, and it looked suspiciously like my former supplier's tickets. Your neighbor may do well to call the company and ask for a price reduction.

tamsam · #23 01/15/10, 07:26 PM

We only use propane for a wall unit for back up heat only. We get up in the am and turn the heater off if we are going to be home all day. We have a 100 lb tank that we take to fill where we want. Last time it was filled we had it and a 20 lb filled and it cost us 54 bucks. The local hw here gets 79 just for a 100 lb tank. We will hopefully have it filled one more time this year. Last year we only used 120 lbs but it has been really cold here.They use to make a valve for motor homes that would switch from an empty tank to a full one. Sure would like to have one and set up 2 100 lb tanks. Good luck finding a tank. Sam
PS if I remember right we paid 89 dollars for the 100 lb tank new.

GoldenCityMuse · #24 01/15/10, 09:30 PM

Make a trip to TX, there are lots of used tanks for sale.

I bought my $250 gal tank at our place in NM. It worked out great. Installed it myself even.

Probably a 7-10 yr return, but aftre that you make money. Plus, you can shop around for the best price.

VERN in IL · #25 01/15/10, 10:06 PM

What ----ed us off was when Petrolane got bought out by Amerigas and changed our billing from gallons to liters....

hated that, Ameri-gas blows...they did a lot of BS, unscheduled refills, etc. ditched the bastards.

You never know when they came by and filled your tank, it was always when you were not expecting, we rented their tank, when your pinching pennies it's not cool to get a propane bill at the door!

ChristieAcres · #26 01/16/10, 05:48 AM

After reading this thread, thank you for posting it!!!:

, I am going to talk to DH about getting our own propane tank. I think I know where we can get one FREE. That won't hurt too much...just got to go get it. Yes, in good condition. I like the idea of painting it ourselves to make it fun! Our propane use has way gone down, due to DH converting our wood stove to heat water, too, but regardless, saving $$$ matters a LOT!

FarmerChick · #27 01/16/10, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

How do you do this? I'd like to be able to fill my own tanks

Intersted in how to do this also. Install a wetline?

Backfourty,MI. · #28 01/16/10, 06:04 AM

Around here it is hard to find a tank to buy anymore. Also if you own your tank they charge you more money per gallon to come fill it up, if they will fill it at all.

When we got our pellet stove we thought that would ofset the price of our propane becuase it was costing us a small fortune on a keep fill basis per month for propane.
We haven't had to have our propane tank filled since Feb. 2007.
When this tank is empty we are going to start getting 2 100 gallon tanks & get one filled when one is empty. We have been checking & there are quite a few places close that will even come & switch them out or you can take the tank to them.

Our dryer & cook stove are propane & we still don't use enough.

I would go with the smaller tank. You'll most likely never use 500 gallons per year.

wally · #29 01/16/10, 06:35 AM

dont want to steal this line but,your local propane company will have to intall the line to refill 20 lb tanks. if you are wanting to refill the small grenn bottles from a 20lb tank you can get these from cabelas or maybe walmart. the trick to gettting a complete filling is to make sure the bottles youwant to fill are cold. 15 min in the freezer for small green one. I store the 20 or 30 lbs for about 1 hr in the freezer