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You want to buy a propane tank but don't know how or where to start. What size do you need? Should you go with a 500-gallon propane tank or a 1,000-gallon tank?
It can be confusing and overwhelming to figure out which propane tank size is right for you.
At Affordable Tanks, we believe you should be able to own your own propane tank and have the freedom to shop around for fair propane pricing. To do this well requires knowledge about the topic.
In this article, we'll help you out by taking a deep dive into everything you need to know about 1,000-gallon propane tanks.
Are you ready to learn about 1,000-gallon tanks?
Let’s begin.
Should I get a 500 or 1000-gallon propane tank?
The place to start when deciding on which tank to purchase is figuring out what size of tank you will need.
A 500-gallon tank is best for homes that are under 3,500 square feet and use several propane appliances like a hot-water heater, a stove, a dryer, and a refrigerator. If your home is larger than 3,500 square feet, you may want to upgrade to the 1,000-gallon tank.
A 1,000-gallon tank is perfect for a large home with more square footage. You can easily heat your entire building and run all your appliances off of a 1,000-gallon tank! These tanks are also great for smaller businesses looking to use propane for larger commercial and industrial appliances such as fryers, steam cookers, griddles, and convection ovens.
In short, you can answer this question yourself once you know the square footage of your building and how many appliances you are hoping to power.
How many gallons does a 1,000-gallon propane tank hold?
A 1,000-gallon propane tank is 16’2” long and 41” in diameter. It holds 800 gallons of propane when full.
For safety, propane tanks are never permitted to be filled with more than 80% total capacity. This is why a 1,000-gallon propane tank only holds 800 gallons of propane.
If you need more propane than 800 gallons, you will have to upgrade from a 1,000-gallon propane tank to a 2,000-gallon propane tank or get two 1,000-gallon propane tanks.
How long does a 1,000-gallon propane tank last?
As you might assume, the answer to this question hinges on how much propane you use on a daily basis.
On average, a home furnace burns 500-1,200 gallons of propane a year, while a hot water heater burns 200-300 gallons of propane per year.
Another way to calculate it is by factoring in the size of your home. A 1,000-gallon propane tank should last a 500-square-foot home for 847 days. It should last a 3,500-square-foot home 121 days.
Note: If you're curious to know how propane stacks up against other types of heating, we've written blog posts on propane vs. wood, propane vs. natural gas, and propane vs. electric heat!
What is a 1,000-gallon propane tank worth?
A 1,000-gallon propane tank costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 to install above ground. This price nearly doubles if you wish to install it underground, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. While underground tanks are more expensive, they do have some distinct advantages over above-ground tanks.
Several factors affect whether or not it is worth owning a 1,000-gallon propane tank. For instance, many propane suppliers will give you a better price on propane if you own your tank. Although you’ll have the upfront cost of the tank and installation, you won’t have monthly or yearly rental payments if you own your own tank.
Owning your own propane tank doesn't require any contracts. Plus, you’ll be able to compare prices on the tanks themselves and shop for the best deal instead of going with whatever tank the propane supplier gives.
For more on the value of owning your own 1,000-gallon propane tank, you can read our article, Buying a Propane Tank - The Ultimate Guide.
Do 1,000-gallon propane tanks expire?
Another key question to ask yourself before investing in a 1,000-gallon propane tank is whether propane or its tanks ever expire.
Unlike fuel sources that can degrade over time (kerosene, diesel, gasoline), propane fuel has no expiration date, nor will its potency decrease while being stored. The only thing you need to worry about when storing propane is maintaining the health and integrity of the propane storage tank.
So while propane never expires, the tanks need to be properly maintained. A 1,000-gallon propane tank made of galvanized steel can typically last over 30 years when maintained properly.
To properly maintain your 1,000-gallon propane tank,
Schedule regular propane deliveries
Have the propane delivery company correct the volume during cooler seasons
Check for leaks
Make sure the ground stays level
Check for damaged or missing valves, controls, dials, or indicators
Check for kinks in your gas line
Check for corrosion on any of your equipment
Check for accumulation of soot on the tank or any parts
When is the best time to use a 1,000-gallon propane tank?
It really boils down to how often you want to have your propane tank refilled.
If you own a home over 2,000 square feet, run a number of appliances off propane, and only want to refill it once a year, then you will likely want to have a 1,000-gallon propane tank.
And even if your home is not quite this big or you don’t have many appliances running off of propane, you may still wish to have a larger tank. This way, you can purchase propane at a good price and more easily ride through the common spikes in propane prices.
Conclusion
When you're looking at home heaters, propane is one of the most efficient and eco-friendly fuels. It's also safe!
And if you run other appliances off of propane, you will want to consider a larger propane tank.
If you need a 1,000-gallon propane tank, give us a call here at Affordable Tanks!
At Affordable Tanks, we understand the frustration of renting a propane tank and being stuck with the same propane distributor, even when someone else offers better prices.
Making a decision doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need the right information in front of you. It’s the least you deserve.
Take it from Michael, one of our customers:
"Affordable Tank Services had the best price and traveled over two hours to replace my leaking underground tank. They were professional, prompt, and friendly. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing a propane tank installed."
You deserve to be able to find the best possible prices for propane for your home.
That's why we offer affordable propane tanks, so you can gain the freedom to shop around and save money.
It's easy to work with us:
Get an estimate
Review your quote
Let us install your tank
Love your freedom!
Contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you.
