Propane Distribution For Homes and Businesses

For Homeowners

Fuel storage

If you’re building a home, you’ll choose a propane supplier with your contractor and schedule a time for your tank to be placed. Your service technician will typically provide a propane 101 lesson covering how your tank works (and how to shut it off), what propane smells like in case of a leak, and other safety reminders. Your contractor and propane supplier can help you navigate any decisions you need to make about your propane tank. They’ll provide guidance on appropriately sizing the tank — the average size is 500 gallons, but it may need to be larger or smaller depending on the propane systems installed in and around your home.

Sizing the Propane tank

Determining your tank size depends on how much propane you’ll use. The table below lists some average amounts of propane use for different applications in the home. If you’re using propane for another, non-residential application, ask your propane provider about how much fuel you’re likely to use.

Source: Newport Partners 2011 Energy and Environmental Analysis of Propane Energy Pod Homes. Findings are based on climate averages across 16 locations developed through building energy simulations. Assumptions include a 2,400-square-foot home built to the 2009 IECC, and the use of high-efficiency propane heating and water heating equipment, moderate efficiency propane direct-vent fireplace, and standard efficiency propane cooktop, oven, and clothes dryer. Warm and moderate climates were assumed to use hybrid air source heat pumps with propane furnace backups for space heating.

1. Gas tankless water heaters don’t have to use indoor air for combustion. Direct-vent units use outdoor air, so they can be placed in smaller spaces, such as an attic, a closet, or a small mechanical room.
2. You don’t always need two ventilation pipes, even for direct-vent units. Some manufacturers offer concentric venting, which is a single pipe that contains an inner exhaust vent and an outer intake vent.
3. You don’t have to go through the roof. Tankless water heaters’ vents can terminate on a side wall because their combustion fan can blow exhaust from the unit horizontally.
4. With an outdoor unit, you don’t need to vent at all. In warmer climates, it’s easy to install a tankless water heater outdoors, with no additional venting required.
5. With a condensing tankless water heater, you don’t need metal venting. Condensing units are typically about 95 percent efficient, so the temperature of the exhaust gas is lower — around 110 to 120 degrees. That means they can be vented with a less expensive plastic, generally PVC or polypropylene.
6. You don’t have to have a box stuck to your wall. For new-construction applications, some manufacturers offer recess boxes to keep the tankless water heater inside the wall.
7. You don’t always need separate vents for multiple water heaters. Common venting systems use a manifold to share the same exhaust and intake vents for up to eight tankless units, a useful option when pros want to avoid extra penetrations in the building envelope.
8. Your venting system doesn’t have to be ugly. With attractive pipe covers and termination points available, looks are no reason to shun tankless water heaters.

Owning or leasing a Propane tank for Your Home

Many homeowners choose to rent a tank from a propane supplier. That way, you’re not responsible for maintaining the tank, and if it ever needs to be repaired or replaced, your supplier will take care of it. Owning the tank also means paying for a professional to maintain it, plus buying and installing it. Talk to your supplier about which option may be right for you. If you don’t already have a propane supplier, find one now.

Underground versus aboveground tanks

If you’re a homeowner, you may have the option of burying your propane tank to maintain the aesthetics of your landscaping. In this situation, the propane provider refills the tank via a small dome visible in your yard. Talk to your propane supplier about burying the tank early, if that’s your preference. Building and safety codes and ease of access may dictate the final decision.

Automatic refills vs will-call

You’ll have the option of getting propane refills automatically or being a will-call customer. The propane delivery system is designed to be as flexible and convenient as possible, giving you peace of mind throughout the year. Keep in mind that cold months are busy for propane suppliers, especially in the midwest or upper northeast regions. If you wait until the last minute to request a refill, it’s possible prices will be higher and wait times will be longer than usual. Automatic refill customers don’t face the same challenges.

A typical delivery

Most propane providers make deliveries between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to minimize disruptions, though deliveries may start earlier when fuel demand starts to rise. After the delivery, you’ll usually receive a receipt on your tank or doorknob confirming the transaction. To make deliveries quick and easy, make sure the delivery vehicle has a clear path to the tank by trimming away any shrubs or other obstacles. Be sure to provide any keys or gate codes to the propane supplier, and arrange for pets to be inside, if needed. In snowy weather, shovel any driveways or paths that the propane provider will need to access.

Propane For Businesses and Commercial Purposes

Fleets

Propane autogas users get to choose from five types of refueling options, including on-site refueling. If you’re considering installing an on-site refueling station, review your available space and assess whether it’s large enough for a dispenser and 1,000-gallon tank. You’ll have the option to lease or own your refueling infrastructure. Download the Refueling Guide for a full explanation of propane autogas refueling.

Forklifts and commercial mowers

Propane cylinders for material handling and commercial landscaping are generally stored in secure, on-site cages. Your propane supplier stops by according to a predetermined schedule to refill or replace the cylinders so your work time is never interrupted. Talk to your supplier about the possibility of installing your own on-site refueling station. Some businesses choose to have their staff complete training for refilling their own propane cylinders to save more time. Ask your fuel supplier for more information and for prices. If you don’t already have a fuel supplier, find one now.

Commercial Buildings

Many commercial buildings use remote tank monitoring technology to ensure that the propane supply is reliable and uninterrupted. These smart monitoring devices allow propane companies to track their customers’ propane storage levels and usage patterns so they can schedule propane deliveries when needed — an especially important feature for customers with unpredictable demand, such as restaurants and swimming pools. Some of today’s advanced monitoring systems also integrate with other smart devices, like building management systems, to allow owners or facility managers to also track their propane usage.