Propane Tank Sizes For Your Business (2024)

FAQs

Propane Tank Sizes For Your Business? ›

Small homes and businesses can typically use 500-gallon tanks for comprehensive propane needs that include heating. Larger homes, businesses or multiple homes will require tanks of at least 1,000 gallons to supply enough propane for heating and appliances.

Regardless, a good rule of thumb is to calculate the size of the tank based on the square footage of the home. A home that is 2,500 square feet in size will usually require a 500-gallon tank, while a home that is 5,000 square feet in size will require a 1,000-gallon tank.

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.

If your tank is full and the temperature inside the tank rises, your tank becomes dangerous. That's why propane tanks are typically filled to only about 80 percent (slightly more in underground tanks, where the ground insulates the tank from big temperature swings).

To determine how much gas is in your propane tank, multiply the outage reading by the capacity of the tank. For example: A 500 gallon propane tank at 40% = 500 x 0.4 = 200 gallons remaining in the tank. These figures are approximate and can only be used to determine estimated gallons in the tank.

A 500-gallon tank holds 400 gallons of propane and can last several months, ranging between 2 to 14 months. On average, homeowners can expect that the tank will last around 5 months with regular use of appliances.

The most common LP tank sizes are 45kg LP tank, followed by 90 kg LP tank and 210kg LP tank. Half tonne and one tonne LP tanks would be common for large country properties and farms, as well as smaller commercial enterprises. LP tank sizes range from 0.5 tonnes all the way up to 50 tonnes and larger LP tank weight.

The tank can be sized with the following equation: Tv = Design Pressure Factor x expanded water Where: Tv is the total Therm-X-Trol volume required in gallons. Example: A 240 gallon water heater with a 150˚F aquastat setting is installed with a 125 psi maximum pressure requirement.

325 Gallon Tank

This size would be right for 1,000 to 1,200 square feet. You'll still need to have only two to three propane appliances. This higher capacity is great for small homes, and you'll have fewer fill-ups than with a smaller tank.

First, tanks only hold about 80% of the rated capacity. So a 500-gallon tank only holds 400 gallons. Propane is like gas—prices vary by location and change daily. The current national average of propane is $2.337 per gallon, meaning it costs about $940 to fill up a 500-gallon tank.

Why would someone have a 500 gallon propane tank? ›

500 Gallon Propane Tank

Uses: Primarily used for home heating or homes with 2-3 propane appliances such as supplemental or space heaters, hot water heaters, and generators. A 500 gallon propane tank holds 400 gallons of propane when full.

In 2008, to help control these rising costs, Blue Rhino followed the example of other consumer products companies with a product content change. We reduced the amount of propane in our tanks from 17 pounds to 15 pounds.”

The 80% Filling Rule Explained: The 80% filling rule stipulates that propane tanks should not be filled beyond 80% of their total capacity. This means leaving a 20% vapor space at the top of the tank.

Under federal law, propane tanks - also called cylinders - can't be more than 12 years old. At that point, an LPG tank can no longer be refilled or reused, and should be disposed of in a proper and safe manner. Just like all things in life, time has a way of taking its toll.

A 500 gallon propane tank is an efficient option for larger homes (1,500 square feet or more) that use propane for several appliances. Examples include: gas furnaces, gas fireplaces, gas ranges, gas hot water heaters, and gas clothes dryers. 500 gallon tanks are 9'11 long and 37½” in diameter.

Propane Usage Based on Household Square Footage

1,500 square feet will use an average of 670 gallons each year. 2,000 square feet will consume up to 900 gallons on an annual basis. With 3,000 square feet or more, you can expect to use 1300+ gallons or more per year.

250-gallon tank.

This tank is the right size for a home with multiple propane appliances, such as a water heater, range, fireplace, and clothes dryer. Keep in mind though that it's not large enough to provide whole-house heating.