Common Propane Tank Sizes for Home or Business

A Quick Guide to Propane Tanks of all Shapes and Sizes

If you’re readying this, you’re likely familiar with portable propane tanks; those being the ones you use with an outdoor grill. Typically, they’ll give their capacity in pounds, which ranges from 5 pound at the lightest to 100 pounds at the heaviest.

But are you familiar with the sizes of residential propane tanks? These tanks are noticeably bigger, helping to heat and power your household. These will have their size is given via water capacity volume in gallons.

Now, since propane is stored in a liquid state under pressure, it needs room to expand into a vapor. That’s why propane tanks are “filled” to 80% of its water capacity. For example, a 120-gallon tank will hold approximately 100 gallons of propane when completely full.

When it comes to residential propane tanks, size matters, and while there’s no “typical” size, most households require tanks with a capacity from 150 and 500 gallons.

How Do I Determine the Tank Size I Need?

To know what size tank you need, you need to know how you will use your propane. Are you using it just for cooking, or for heating water, heating your home, and more? There are a lot of variables to consider, and the pros at Midway can help you take the guesswork out of calculating the best size tank for your needs:

• 40- to 100-pound cylinders: If you plan to use propane for a gas grill, patio heater, outdoor cookstove, or for an RV, a refillable portable cylinder tank in this range is what you want.
• 120-gallon propane tank: This size tank is perfect if you only use propane for water heating or space heating, or to fuel a single range or clothes dryer; one or two appliances at most.
• 150-gallon propane tank: If you have one or two low-Btu appliances, such as a water heater, cooking range, space heaters, wall heaters or a clothes dryer, this size tank should provide ample propane supply for those uses.
• 250-gallon propane tank: For three or more propane appliances like ranges, water heaters, or fireplaces—but not a furnace or boiler—this size is likely a great option.
• 500-gallon propane tank: This size tank is recommended if you heat your entire home with propane; especially so if you live in an area with a long, cold winter season. You’ll have enough propane to also fuel appliances including fireplaces, ranges, and water heaters.
• 800- to 1,000-gallon propane tanks: This capacity will fuel an extra-large home or small commercial business heated with propane that also uses several propane appliances as well as high-Btu propane appliances like pool and spa heaters.

Once we’ve helped you determine the best size tank for your needs, our team of professionals can help determine the best location for your tank and make sure it’s installed safely. We’ve been installing tanks for all kinds of homes and businesses for more than 50 years.

Looking for Local Propane Delivery or Tank Installation? Call Midway!

In addition to a safely installed tank, you’ll want to be sure you have reliable propane delivery service to ensure you always have the propane you need.

You want a company that puts customers first. That inherently means offering fair, transparent pricing, but it also means offering real value and true reliability, with products and services designed to make your life easier. And it’s what makes Midway Bottled Gas the local favorite for prompt, reliable, courteous propane delivery service to homes and businesses across southwest Virginia.

Whether you’re a new homeowner who’s never run a home with propane, or you just need to replace your tank, Midway’s experts can help you understand all your options when it comes to propane tank sizes. Contact us today.