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
Your first step will be to get the right propane tank for yours needs. Some people opt to have a tank buried underground, but most tend to just keep them above ground. Propane tank prices vary based upon size and whether you buy new or refurbished, and there is quite a range of sizes. Typically, the smallest home tanks are 100-gallon propane tanks, but you can buy 500-gallon propane tanks, 250-gallon propane tanks and 1,000-gallon propane tanks. You also can buy it outright or lease it or use a company like Thrifty Propane which offers lease-to-own programs as well as free tanks for those who buy a large amount of propane all at once.
You probably are wondering how to figure out what size of propane tank you will need. You can get a large tank and fill it up with a year's worth of propane all at once or perhaps a smaller tank that might need to be refilled during the year. On average, a typical four-person family in a 2,000-square-foot home might use about 500 gallons per year, but this number also depends on your climate and how often you turn on the heat and how well you weatherproof your home.
2. Propane Prices Go Up & Down
Just as the price you pay for gasoline can change daily, so can the cost of your propane. As you might already know, your propane is a petroleum byproduct, so the cost of petroleum can affect propane prices. In addition, the demand and supply of propane also affects pricing. Generally, you pay more for propane from about December to March, when demand is higher. These days, falling petroleum prices have kept the propane prices fairly low.
When shopping for a propane company, it is helpful to find a service that offers many ways to save on your propane costs. For instance, Thrifty Propane encourages customers to buy as much propane as possible when prices get very low so they will send out emails when prices drop. This can make a huge difference as you might be able to buy all of your yearly propane for much less than one dollar per gallon, which can save you hundreds of dollars.
3. Keep An Eye On Your Supply
One of the biggest problems you might have with propane occurs when you don't keep an eye on your supply. Once your tank is down to about 30% full, it is a good idea to call and schedule delivery, particularly during the colder months. People often wait until they have almost no propane and then call their delivery service to refill. However, if the demand for propane is very high, there can be shortages or perhaps a snowstorm might delay delivery. In addition, if you need an immediate, emergency refill because your tank is empty, many companies charge extra for this delivery.
1. Get The Right Propane Tank
Your first step will be to get the right propane tank for yours needs. Some people opt to have a tank buried underground, but most tend to just keep them above ground. Propane tank prices vary based upon size and whether you buy new or refurbished, and there is quite a range of sizes. Typically, the smallest home tanks are 100-gallon propane tanks, but you can buy 500-gallon propane tanks, 250-gallon propane tanks and 1,000-gallon propane tanks. You also can buy it outright or lease it or use a company like Thrifty Propane which offers lease-to-own programs as well as free tanks for those who buy a large amount of propane all at once.
You probably are wondering how to figure out what size of propane tank you will need. You can get a large tank and fill it up with a year's worth of propane all at once or perhaps a smaller tank that might need to be refilled during the year. On average, a typical four-person family in a 2,000-square-foot home might use about 500 gallons per year, but this number also depends on your climate and how often you turn on the heat and how well you weatherproof your home.
2. Propane Prices Go Up & Down
Just as the price you pay for gasoline can change daily, so can the cost of your propane. As you might already know, your propane is a petroleum byproduct, so the cost of petroleum can affect propane prices. In addition, the demand and supply of propane also affects pricing. Generally, you pay more for propane from about December to March, when demand is higher. These days, falling petroleum prices have kept the propane prices fairly low.
When shopping for a propane company, it is helpful to find a service that offers many ways to save on your propane costs. For instance, Thrifty Propane encourages customers to buy as much propane as possible when prices get very low so they will send out emails when prices drop. This can make a huge difference as you might be able to buy all of your yearly propane for much less than one dollar per gallon, which can save you hundreds of dollars.
3. Keep An Eye On Your Supply
One of the biggest problems you might have with propane occurs when you don't keep an eye on your supply. Once your tank is down to about 30% full, it is a good idea to call and schedule delivery, particularly during the colder months. People often wait until they have almost no propane and then call their delivery service to refill. However, if the demand for propane is very high, there can be shortages or perhaps a snowstorm might delay delivery. In addition, if you need an immediate, emergency refill because your tank is empty, many companies charge extra for this delivery.
About the Author:
Cath Buhr enjoys writing reviews on propane retailers. For more information about Pittsburgh propane retailers or to know local Pittsburgh propane prices, please visit the Thrifty Propane website now.
No comments:
Post a Comment