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With electricity prices so volatile, we’ve been hearing from a lot more customers who are interested in adding propane to their homes in some capacity. Admittedly, there’s a lot to like about propane: it’s an extremely versatile and efficient option for heating your home and much, much more!
One of the biggest reasons people prefer using propane gas for home heating and water heating is that they know they will always have propane on hand when they need it most. That’s because your propane supply is delivered and stored in a tank on your property, so you’ll always have it right on hand. Electric and natural gas customers don’t enjoy that kind of reliable security.
The propane tank is a key part of a propane-fueled home, so here’s everything you need to know about propane tanks to get you more familiar.
Size matters when it comes to propane tanks. If your propane storage tank is too small, you’ll need to order propane too often—or risk the cost and hassle of runouts. Getting a big tank means you’ll need fewer refills—and you may be able to avoid or lessen the sting of price spikes.
But a bigger tank is, well, bigger! You’ll need space to bury it if you have an underground tank. And if it’s above ground, a huge tank can be less attractive.
Midway offers the biggest range of sizes in the area, from 20-pound cylinders to fire up your grill to 1,000-gallon tanks to fuel the largest homes and local businesses. We can help you determine the best size propane tank for your needs based on the size of your home as well as how many appliances you’ll be fueling.
An aboveground tank is relatively inexpensive to install. Also, maintenance is made far easier. However aboveground tanks are more exposed to the elements, which can make them a little less durable if they’re subjected to extreme or extended heat and cold. Aboveground tanks are extremely safe. They only require periodic inspections for signs of damage or corrosion to avoid a leak.
Because they’re underground, they don’t detract from your view or landscaping. But they are more expensive to install. You need to budget for excavation costs and extra labor to bury your tank properly and safely.
Underground tanks are considered as safe or safer than aboveground tanks because they’re protected from extreme temperature fluctuations. They’re also safer in the event of a leak. Unlike oil, propane can’t harm soil or water, and since the tank is buried, leaking propane can’t escape into the air, causing a fire hazard.
Propane tanks typically require little maintenance and they’re built to last a long time. We inspect your tank for signs of age every time we deliver fuel, but you should keep an eye out for rust. A little rust or a few small dings are not a problem, but large or deep patches of rust and bigger dents can cause leaks and allow moisture into the tank—two problems you want to avoid.
Underground tanks also require “sacrificial anodes,” which help prevent corrosion, to be buried near the tank. The tank also needs to have a special anticorrosion coating, and regular maintenance checks to ensure they’re functioning properly.
Most residential, aboveground propane storage tanks should last about 30 years…although factors like the weather and climate can shorten the lifespan. With proper maintenance, an underground tank should last just as long.
Not at all! From permits to your first fill-up, Midway Bottled Gas makes it as easy as changing out your grill cylinder. Following testing and safety inspections, we’ll light pilot lights, check appliances for proper operation and answer any questions you may have about the tank installation, service arrangements or delivery schedules.
Aboveground tanks are quick to install, including a concrete base for stability. Buried tanks take a little more time for excavation, but the process isn’t complicated for our team of propane professionals.
Whether you decide on an aboveground or underground propane tank, know that the team at Midway can make selecting, installing, and maintaining your tank easy. And we’ll provide reliable propane delivery services, too. Contact us for more information today.