What is the best way to buy propane for home heating?

Question

There has got to be a better way than having a tank on your land owned by the company who fills it and you pay what they ask.

Answer 1

You could always try and drill for it.There is a slim chance you have a pocket of propane on your property. I think the cost would far  excede the property value, But then again you could sell it for whatever you want. Or you could heat your home with wood. Just like the old days. Oh! but wait , then you would have to have a wood pile near your house. Or even better , convert everything to electric. Then you have no tank , but you still have to pay what they ask. Guess you are in a catch 22 situation.  

Answer 2

A more serious answer than the two above is that you can buy your own tank – rather than leasing it from the propane company.  If you lease the tank, you are obligated to purchase the propane form the same firm that supplied the tank; however if you own the tank you can “price shop” among various suppliers – often at a considerable savings.

Prior to delivering propane to your tank, the company will want to do its own inspection of your tank, piping, and appliances served by the tank.  This (one time) inspection will cost about $50 - $75.  The cost of the tank will vary depending on the size of the tank; and you might want to consider purchasing a used or refurbished tank.

I would think that part of the decision to switch from a “leased” to an “owned” tank would be the length of time you see your self in the home, as well as having a bit of mechanical ability.  If you have to hire a qualified installer, buy the tank, etc. the payoff from the savings may be sometime into the future.

Finally, all of the above applies to someone who is a homeowner; I doubt that a renter would find the savings to be worthwhile

Answer 3

After years of leasing a tank and paying the company its asking price, I bought a used 500 gal tank.  I only use about 500-600 gal per year.  The local propane suppliers wanted me to lease a tank that will be filled at least three times a year, which in my case would be a 250 gal tank.  But that would not allow me to buy nearly a whole year supply at the lower prices usually available during the summer months.  Anyway buying a tank cost about what 30 years of leasing would have, so it may or may not have been such a good idea.  At least now I can buy almost all I need in the summer and each time I have the option of choosing which company will fill it.  I shopped around and found that one particular company in my area tends to always have the lowest prices, so I have been buying from them.

If you are unhappy whith the prices or service of the supplier you now deal with, call around and see if its competitors are much different.  Unless there is only one supplier in your area, you have the option of leasing a tank and buying propane from a different one.

I have also lowered my heating costs by using a wood stove as a back up heat source (free firewood because my land is forested), by adding insulation and by installing insulated window shades.

I hope some of this helps.

Answer 4

There is no other way to utilize propane.If there were you wouldn't need tanks.