Advantages and Disadvantages of Exchanging or Refilling a Propane Tank (2024)

FAQs

Advantages and Disadvantages of Exchanging or Refilling a Propane Tank? ›

Exchange tanks are partially empty to allow room for the gas to expand, but exchange tanks are only filled about ¾ of the way. An exchange tank is only guaranteed to be about 15 pounds out of a max of 20 pounds. A refill tank can be filled more, and the cost per gallon is quite a bit lower.

You can save up to $1.75 per gallon by refilling over the cost of an exchange at third-party retailers. You'll only pay for the propane you use if you own your own propane tank. Any propane left in your tank isn't lost as it is during an exchange –and even if it's a small amount, it'll return home with you.

Propane offers several advantages, including versatility, environmental friendliness, and energy efficiency. However, it also comes with limitations such as limited infrastructure and price volatility.

Propane is non-toxic and emits less than half the greenhouse gases that electricity does. It has the lowest flammability of any alternative fuel. Since propane doesn't spill, pool, or leave a residue, tank leaks won't contaminate water or soil, and won't cause damage to your home or family.

How To Dispose Of Old Propane Tanks? Propane tanks of 100 pounds capacity or less have an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture. Once those 12 years are up, you can either exchange the tank for a replacement, or have it inspected for requalification for an additional five years of use.

It's all about supply and demand. During the summer months, the demand for propane is significantly lower, leading to reduced costs. With a decreased demand, there is a surplus of propane supply, enabling suppliers to lower prices. The opposite holds true in winter.

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.

How long should a propane tank last? Propane tanks are built for the long haul: on average, a high quality, properly maintained galvanized aboveground propane tank or propane cylinder should last 30 years or more, while some aluminum and composite cylinders can last even longer.

Propane is non-toxic and does not damage ground water or soil if leaked. Natural gas has a low toxicity, but it not considered to be completely non-toxic. Both fuels are eco-friendly, but propane has a edge over natural gas as it is actually a green fuel.

What are the pros and cons of propane vs gasoline? ›

When gasoline generators are used, they often continuously release greenhouse gasses into the air until shut off, while propane generators benefit from the clean-burning nature of LP Gas. Gasoline also degrades over time, while propane still maintains its energy even when stored.

Compared with vehicles fueled by conventional diesel and gasoline, propane vehicles can produce lower amounts of some harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, depending on vehicle type, drive cycle, and engine calibration.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating a home with propane has cost far less than heating with electricity. Over time, propane water heaters can cost one-third less to operate and recover water twice as quickly as electric water heaters – saving you money!

But the two leading propane tank exchange firms — Blue Rhino and AmeriGas — put 15 pounds of propane in their cylinders, which their labels reflect. Consumers may get a better deal by having their tank refilled at a propane filling station, experts said. Here's how some local propane options compare.

Uses: Commonly used for resale and with propane grills, generators, patio heaters, and other outdoor equipment. 20 pound propane tanks are often referred to as grill cylinders and hold 4.6 gallons of propane when full.

In most cases, consumers can tell if a propane tank has an OPD valve by the handles. If the handle is round or star-shaped (left) their cylinder is outdated. A triangular handle (right) indicates an updated cylinder.

How To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Propane Tank. You may not realize it but your propane tank has an expiration date on it. It is between 10 and 12 years from the date of manufacture as seen on the handle of the tank – near where you find the tare weight.