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samedi 7 mars 2015

All About Propane: Prices, Refills, Tanks & More

By Cath Buhr


There are plenty of good reasons to switch to propane as your energy source. Propane is far better for the environment than coal and if natural gas leaks, it's even more dangerous than coal. Propane also burns very efficiently, so you will need less propane to achieve the same amount energy you received from wood, coal and natural gas. Still, it can be daunting to switch to propane, so follow a few of these helpful tips to smooth the way.

1. Get The Right Propane Tank

This can be overwhelming because you have so many decisions to make. Fortunately, they are all pretty easy. You can buy a propane tank or you can rent/lease a tank. Some companies make it easy to buy. For instance, Thrifty Propane will give a free tank if you pre-buy a large amount of propane from them at one time. Of course, they also offer a lease-to-own program for those who cannot afford the cost of the propane and the price of a tank. In general, there are several different sizes of propane tanks, from your smaller 100-gallon propane tank up to a huge, 1,000-gallon propane tank.

But how big of a tank do you really need? It depends entirely on your situation. This includes your geographic location, as people in colder climates usually use more propane. If you run your heater and all your appliances with propane, this also can affect your propane use. If your house is not sufficiently weatherproofed, this also can mean you will use more propane. Of course, the size of your home and the number of residents also affects usage. However, 500 gallons of propane is probably enough for many families living in a typical 2,000-square-foot home or smaller. Your propane delivery company will be able to offer some advice, but it's also wise to ask your neighbors who already use propane, as well.

2. The Cost Of Propane Fluctuates

The price of propane goes up and down daily and you need to be aware of these changes before you purchase your supply of propane. The prices go up and down based upon demand in general, so usually you can expect to pay more in the winter months. However, dropping or rising petroleum prices also can affect the propane price, as propane is a byproduct of petroleum.

If possible, work with a company like Thrifty Propane who will send you alerts letting you know when prices are especially low as this is a great time to buy. For instance, if propane prices dropped to under one dollar per gallon, this can be a great time to buy all of your propane for the year if possible. If you purchase 500 gallons of propane at $0.75 per gallon, this costs just $375 and it might be all the propane you will need for the whole year.

3. Check Your Supply Often

One of the biggest mistakes that propane customers make is not keeping an eye on their propane. As the supply goes down, it is important to make sure you reorder and give plenty of time for delivery. Sometimes a company can come fill up your tank in just one day or two, but sometimes weather and demand will extend this delivery time. If you end up in a real emergency and need an emergency tank fill, this will be an extra charge. So as soon as you get down to 30%, give your delivery company a call.




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