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Choosing a heat source for your home can sometimes be overwhelming. There are a number of options to choose from, including natural gas, oil, wood, electric and, of course, propane. But given the rising cost of oil and the limited availability of natural gas, many people are turning to propane, one of the most economically efficient options to choose from.
Guide to propane tank sizes
Whether it's heating your home, running a business, or powering appliances, propane can help! While we love propane for being exceptionally versatile and efficient, it can be challenging to understand whatpropane tank sizesuits your needs. Tank sizes range from small, portable containers to huge tanks that can hold more than 1,000 gallons. Rest assured that whatever your propane use, GasTec has the tank size to help! Bystandard sizes of propane tanksup to 30,000 liter tanks, our team has the experience and knowledge to assist you throughout the selection process.
Which propane tank is right for you?
Yourpropane tank sizewill depend on several factors. When sizing your tank you need the answers to these questions:
- What do you want to use your propane for?
- Where do you want to place your propane tank?
- How big is your home or business?
Once you have these answers, GasTec's experts can help you choose the right tank size. Bystandard sizes of propane tankspowering a grill to large tanks that heat a home, we can help with all your needs. Our technicians serve homes and businesses across the countryNew Jersey and Pennsylvaniaareas with the most reliable propane services.Check out ourguide to propane tank sizesbelow for more information. It is vital to remember that your propane tank can only be filled to 80% no matter what size tank you choose to leave room for expansion.
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GasTec propane tanks
20 POUND PROPANE TANKS
General usage:Home barbecues, mosquito traps, patio heaters.
Size and Capacity:This tank is about 5 feet tall by 1 foot in diameter and can hold just under 5 gallons of propane when full.
Comments:These tanks are not filled on site. We offer an exchange service for these cylinders for business customers and restaurants. We do offer a walk-in service for more local customers.
33 POUND PROPANE TANKS
General usage:Forklift trucks and other vehicles that run on LPG.
Size and Capacity:This tank is about 2 feet tall by 1 foot diameter and can hold nearly 8 gallons when filled.
Comments:There are a few different types of tanks this size. The most common is a liquid suction (not the vapor of propane). These can be used in a horizontal position, for example the type of tank mounted on the back of a forklift truck. We offer an exchange and refill service for our business customers. Storage cages are also available for security and safety.
100 POUND PROPANE TANKS
General usage:Home fireplaces, cooking, dryers, barbecues, commercial temporary heating on construction sites
Size and Capacity:This tank is about 4 feet tall by 1.5 feet in diameter and can hold just under 25 gallons when full.
Comments:Due to the relatively small size, these tanks can be placed in less restricted areas compared to larger tanks. Since they can hold 100 pounds of propane when full, these tanks are quite easy to move, making a residential-use swap service very convenient. Unfortunately, these tanks are not equipped with a residual quantity meter. For this reason, the most common setups include two tanks with an automatic transfer regulator and indicator between the tanks. When this indicator changes from green to red (yes, it's that simple), it means the first tank is empty and it's time to place an order for propane.
Placement restrictions:The minimum distance from a door or window to a building is 3 feet. The minimum distance to the ignition source is 1.5 meters.
420 POUND PROPANE TANKS
General usage:House heating, hot water, dryers, fireplaces, generators, pool heating.
Commercial Use:Heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning and temporary heating.
Size and capacity: This tank is about 4 feet long and 10 feet in diameter and can hold 100 gallons when 80 percent full.
Comments:These tanks are commonly referred to by a few different names. Such names include "100 gallons," which refers to the actual number of gallons of propane the tank can hold; "120 gallons", which refers to the tank's total water capacity; and a "420-pound tank," which refers to how many pounds of propane the tank can hold when 80 percent full.
Placement restrictions:The minimum distance from a door or window to a building is 1.5 metres. The minimum distance to an ignition source is 3 meters. A maximum of 4 of these tanks may be placed next to each other, assuming the other restrictions are met.
500 GALLON PROPAAN TANKS
General usage:Whole house systems, home heating, generators, pool heating.
Commercial Use:Heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying and temporary heating.
Size and Capacity:This tank is approximately 12 feet long and wide by 10 feet long and can hold 400 gallons when 80 percent full.
Remarks: 500 literstanks come in above ground or underground versions. This tank size is suitable for most homes ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet. This is the smallest tank size from which metering systems for communities or shared commercial buildings will be taken.
Placement restrictions:The minimum distance to a building is 10 meters. The minimum distance to an ignition source is 3 meters. The minimum distance to a property line is also 10 feet.
1,000 GALLON PROPANE TANKS
General usage:Whole house systems, home heating, generators, pool heating.
Commercial Use:Heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying and temporary heating.
Size and Capacity:This tank is approximately 3 1/2 feet tall/wide by 16 feet long and can hold 800 gallons when filled to 80%.
Comments:1,000-gallon tanks come in above-ground or underground versions. This tank size is suitable for most homes ranging from 4,500 square feet and up. Smaller homes with more appliances can also benefit from this size.Metering systems for small communities or small medium sized shared commercial buildings that will be used will usually install 1,000 gallon propane tanks as their central propane storage.
Placement restrictions:The minimum distance to a building is 10 meters. The minimum distance to an ignition source is 3 meters. The minimum distance to a property line is also 10 feet. If two of these tanks are placed within 3 feet of each other, the restriction distances increase to 25 feet.
30.000 GALLON PROPAAN TANKS
General usage:Large communities with meter service, commercial facilities, bulk plant storage.
Size and Capacity:This tank is about 10 feet long and wide by 70 feet long and can hold 24,000 gallons when 80 percent full.
Comments:30,000 gallon tanks will usually be installed at propane storage facilities or properties that use a significant amount of propane in a short period of time.
Placement restrictions:This may vary due to municipal and state regulations.
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FAQs
Propane Tank Size Chart | Bucks County | GasTec Online? ›
Tanks are measured based on their height/length and diameter (measuring from one side, to the other, across the center point of the tank).
How can I tell what size propane tank I have? ›Tanks are measured based on their height/length and diameter (measuring from one side, to the other, across the center point of the tank).
How many gallons is my propane tank? ›A full 20-pound (9-kilogram) propane tank holds 4.7 gallons (17.8 liters) of propane. If your grill has an output of 32,000 BTUH, you would get approximately 13.5 hours of cook time out of a standard propane tank if you were cooking at maximum heat.
How long does a 500 gallon propane tank last for a house? ›Generally speaking, a 500-gallon propane tank can last the average American household anywhere from two months to eight months. The number varies depending on elements like: House size: Larger homes require more heating, so they'll consume propane faster than smaller homes.
How big is a 250 gallon residential propane tank? ›250 Gallon Tank
250 Gallon tanks are approximately 7'8'' long and 30” in diameter.
20 pound propane tanks are often referred to as grill cylinders and hold 4.6 gallons of propane when full.
How many gallons of propane are in a 40lb tank? ›The 40 lb propane tank is most commonly used for large commercial grills, construction heaters, space heaters, propane hawk torches and many other propane applications. A 40 lb propane tank holds 9.4 gallons of propane and weighs 72 lbs full.
Is owning your own propane tank worth it? ›By owning, you have the freedom to consume as little or as much as you want. Potential to save money over time: If your tank is in good condition and doesn't need a lot of repairs, you might save money by paying upfront and skipping the monthly rental payments.
What is the best month to buy propane? ›The cheapest time to buy propane lies between late September to early October. The reasons that propane becomes inexpensive during this time are: Stable weather conditions. Low demand.
Is it cheaper to heat your house with propane or electric? ›Propane is cheaper than electric.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating a home in the U.S. with a propane heating system costs far less than heating with an electric system.
How much does a 250 gallon propane tank weigh when full? ›
For 125- to 500-gallon propane tanks, the distance is at least 10 feet – from any building and from any property line. Same with underground propane tanks that hold up to 2,000 gallons: The minimum distance, from either a building or a property line, is 10 feet.
How often do you have to fill a 250 gallon propane tank? ›Some homeowners may not know that prone tanks are only filled up to 80% of their capacity for safety because propane expands once heat is applied. A 250-gallon residential propane tank holds 200 gallons of propane and will generally last around a month—but a tank can last much longer depending on a list of factors.
How long will 100 gallons of propane last to heat a house? ›That means that a 100-gallon propane tank will last for 7,320,000 BTU ÷ 10,000 BTU/h = 732 hours; that's 30.5 days or about 1 month. By house size (500 sq ft to 4,000 sq ft houses).
How accurate are propane tank gauges? ›Don't worry: Gauges tend to be accurate, and even if your tank is down to 20%, there is still plenty of time to refill it. At Kauffman Gas, we always strive to schedule refills around the 20% mark so you never run out.
How much does a 20 lb propane tank weigh when full? ›Typically, a full 20-pound tank weighs 37 pounds because the weight of an empty cylinder—also called the Tare Weight (TW)—is 17 pounds. It holds 20 pounds of fuel, which is called its Water Capacity (WC), adding up to 37 pounds.
How much should a 20 lb propane tank cost? ›| Propane Tank by Pounds | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 15 lb | $25 – $55 |
| 20 lb | $30 – $60 |
| 100 lb | $100 – $150 |
| 200 lb | $350 – $700 |
Most propane cylinders for grills weigh about 17 pounds when empty and hold about 20 pounds of propane. Here's how you use weight to measure how much propane is left in your cylinder: Put it on a scale and note the weight. Subtract the tare weight number.
How do I know how much propane is in my tank by weight? ›Weigh the tank.
To measure how many pounds of propane are left in your tank, simply weigh it on a scale and subtract the TW number. For example, if a tank weighing 27 pounds has a TW of 17 pounds, there's about 10 pounds of gas left – a little more than half a tank.
Your propane tank gauge should never fall below 20%.
What is the blue cap on a propane tank? ›
Propane OPD valve safety cap protects valve threads and prevents contamination on 20 pound propane tanks. It has a restraining cap to keep it attached to the cylinder. It also has important safety information imprinted directly on the strap. This cap is also available in blue (Part Number ACM 447).
What do the numbers on the side of a propane tank mean? ›Weigh the tank.
Most propane grill tanks come with two numbers stamped on the handle – the water capacity (“WC”) and Tare Weight (TW – the weight of the tank when it's empty). Most grilling tanks weigh about 17 pounds when empty.
A date without a letter indicates the next requalification must be within 12 years. The letter “S” following the date indicates the cylinder must be requalified within seven years of the marked date. The letter “E” following the date indicates that requalification is required again within five years of the marked date.
How many gallons of propane goes in a 100 lb tank? ›A 100 pound propane tanks holds approximately 23 gallons of propane when full.
What is the difference between a 20lb and 30lb propane tank? ›A 20 lbs propane tanks usually have a BTU (British Thermal Unit) Capacity of 430,270, while a 30 lbs propane tank has a 649,980 BTU capacity. On average, a 20-pound propane tank can last between 18 to 20 hours of continuous use on a medium-sized gas grill.
How much does 1 gallon of propane weigh? ›Secondly, you should know the capacity of the propane tank in gallons. Thirdly, you need to know that one gallon of propane weighs 4.2 pounds. Multiply the number of gallons the tank can hold by 4.2. That will tell you the weight of the propane when the tank is full.
What are 3 disadvantages of propane? ›- Propane produces fewer BTUs per gallon than oil heating.
- Propane-burning equipment often costs more to purchase than heating oil-based systems.
- Propane is combustible in air, so precautions are needed to operate the equipment safely.
Regardless of the fuel source, for safety reasons, it's very important to turn off the supply of gas to the grill when it's not in use. If someone or something were to turn on one the control knobs on the grill, it would fill with gas, creating the potential for a very dangerous situation.
What is the lifespan of a home propane tank? ›How long should a propane tank last? Propane tanks are built for the long haul: on average, a high quality, properly maintained galvanized aboveground propane tank or propane cylinder should last 30 years or more, while some aluminum and composite cylinders can last even longer.
What is the cheapest month to fill a propane tank? ›Early fall is a “shoulder” season between these periods of peak demand – meaning it's often the best time to save money on your propane tank refills. Weather is more stable – Sudden cold snaps are common during late autumn and early winter, but they happen less often in the early fall.
Is it cheaper to heat with propane or natural gas? ›
While the cost per gallon is less for natural gas, you'll use more of it to heat the same appliances. If you get two times the heat from propane, naturally, you'll use less fuel. In this combined round, propane wins for efficiency and overall cost.
What lasts longer gas or propane? ›A cubic foot of propane = 2,516 BTUs, compared to a cubic foot of gas = 1,030 BTUs. This means propane gas burns longer, lasts longer, and is technically cheaper! LONGER SHELF LIFE: Unlike gasoline, propane fuel is more stable and won't degrade over time.
How much propane does it take to heat a 2000 square foot house? ›Propane Usage Based on Household Square Footage
1,000 square feet will use an average of 440 gallons on an annual basis. 1,500 square feet will use an average of 670 gallons each year. 2,000 square feet will consume up to 900 gallons on an annual basis.
A furnace will use about 1,000 gallons a year. Your hot water heater will use an average of 250 gallons per year. You can expect a gas fireplace to go through about 200 gallons annually— depending on use. Propane stoves use about 35 gallons annually.
What is the cheapest and most efficient way to heat a home? ›Natural gas is likely to prove the cheapest way to heat a home if you have this heating option available to you where you live. Although prices have risen, natural gas is the least costly form of space heating. This is followed by electricity, propane, and heating oil, from the next cheapest to the most expensive.
Can you bury a 250 gallon propane tank? ›Propane tanks 250 gallons and above can be installed either above ground or underground.
How do you move a large propane tank? ›Propane Tank Transportation-Safety Tips
ALWAYS transport a cylinder in a secure, upright position so it will not fall, shift, or roll when you're driving. It is dangerous to travel with a tank on its side, so it's extremely important to keep the propane tank in a vertical position during transport.
The rules clearly state that natural gas lines cannot be less than 18 inches deep in California. In New York and New Jersey, it's at least 24 inches.
What size propane tank for a 2000 square foot house? ›1,000 Gallon Tank
If you use a lot of propane throughout the year and have a larger square footage home between 2,000 to 4,500 square feet, this tank would be a good choice.
important safety recommendations
The minimum required distance from an LP tank fill port to an electric distribution panel, meter, or any electric switching equipment is 15 feet. An LP tank cannot be placed directly under high voltage power lines.
How many gallons does a 250 gallon propane tank hold? ›
250 Gallon tanks are approximately 7'8'' long and 30” in diameter. They hold 200 gallons of Propane at 80%. Generally for smaller homes, back up heat and appliances.
How long can a generator run on a 250 gallon propane tank? ›You will have to install a tank that is generally between 250 and 1000 gallons. A typical whole house generator burns about 36 gallons of propane a day. That means even the small tank will run the generator for a full week.
How many gallons is a 250 gallon propane tank? ›250 Gallon Propane Tank
Uses: Supplemental heating or 2 home appliances including water heaters, generators, and pool heaters. A 250 gallon propane tank holds 200 gallons of propane when full.
You can perform some simple math to determine how much gas is in your propane tank. Just multiply the tank's capacity by the reading on the tank gauge. For example, if your 500-gallon tank is showing a gauge reading of 60%, that means you have 300 gallons of gas remaining in your tank (500 x 0.6).
What is the typical home propane tank size? ›500 Gallon Tank
This size tank is the most commonly used propane tank size and can be used to heat entire houses and for commercial applications.
500-Gallon Tanks
The 500-gallon tank is the most common size propane tank for residential propane use. It is often used for home heating, generator powering, cooking, pool heating, and more.
Don't worry: Gauges tend to be accurate, and even if your tank is down to 20%, there is still plenty of time to refill it. At Kauffman Gas, we always strive to schedule refills around the 20% mark so you never run out.
How much does a 500 gallon propane tank weigh when it's full? ›| Size of Propane Tank | Weight of Tank When Empty | Weight of Tank When Full |
|---|---|---|
| 325 gallons | 600 lbs. | 1,705 lbs. |
| 330 gallons | 610 lbs. | 1,732 lbs. |
| 500 gallons | 950 lbs. | 2,650 lbs. |
| 1,000 gallons | 1,760 lbs. | 5,160 lbs. |
For example, a 500-gallon tank has 20% of propane, the formula is 500 x . 2= 100 gallons.
What is the maximum fill for a 500 gallon propane tank? ›Propane And Temperature
That's where the 80/20 rule for propane safety comes in. If you have a 500 gallon propane tank, it can only be filled to 400 gallons, or 80 percent of the tank. That 20 percent of empty space in your tank is the room for expansion of propane gas.
How many gallons of propane does a 2000 sq ft house use? ›
Propane Usage Based on Household Square Footage
1,000 square feet will use an average of 440 gallons on an annual basis. 1,500 square feet will use an average of 670 gallons each year. 2,000 square feet will consume up to 900 gallons on an annual basis.
| Tank Size | Above Ground Tank Cost (installed) | Underground Tank Cost (installed) |
|---|---|---|
| 120 Gallon | $350–$600 | N/A |
| 250 Gallon | $450–$1,000 | N/A |
| 330 Gallon | $500–$1,400 | N/A |
| 500 Gallon | $700–$2,500 | $1,500–$3,000 |
Propane has no expiration date
So, as long as there is propane in your tank, you can keep using it—no matter how long it's been there.
325-gallon propane tank: If you use propane to heat your home, this is the most common size tank used in our area. This is typically used for homes from 1500 to 2500 square feet.