Using propane to heat your home and power your appliances is an easy choice. Propane is inexpensive, clean, and safe. However, there are some other decisions you will need to make when going with propane.
Choosing from the many underground propane tank sizes is a task that boggles many homeowners. Here we breakdown the facts concerning choosing a propane tank. We show you the most common sizes of underground propane tanks and their characteristics.
If you want to save time and money, while making the best choice in tank size, you can’t afford to miss this post!
Propane Usage
First, determine the approximate annual propane usage for your home. This will guide you in choosing the right size underground propane tank. There are several ways to do this. To get a rough estimate, try using our online Propane Usage Calculator. This estimates usage based on the size of your home in square feet.
Another way to determine your annual usage is to total up the consumption rates of your individual appliances and heating system. You can check the manufacturer’s rating of your appliances or calculate the usage in BTUs for each device.
One gallon of propane has 91,502 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy. Therefore, if you have a hot water heater that is rated at 199,000 BTUs, you can divide by 91,502 to discover that it will consume 2.17 gallons of propane per hour.
However, hot water heaters do not run constantly so you will need to adjust your calculations for actual usage.
An easier way to estimate the annual usage is based on national averages. For instance, the average homeowner uses 200-300 gallons of propane per year for hot water. A furnace uses 500-1,200 gallons of propane annually.
A stove about 50 gallons per year. A dryer can consume about 75 gallons per year. By checking the national averages for the appliances you wish to use you can get an idea of what your annual usage will be.
Lawn Size
Your lawn size is a factor in selecting the right size tank. You must have room for the tank in an area that will be free from vehicle traffic.
Minimum distance requirements apply to underground propane tanks. This means they must be a specified distance from openings to the home such as doors and windows. They must also be a certain distance from property lines and ignition sources.
In addition to setbacks, underground tanks must comply with depth requirements. These requirements are detailed in the LP Gas Code published by the National Fire Protection Association.
You should also consider where your septic tank, sprinkler system, and existing utilities are located. You do not want to disturb the existing services when installing your underground propane tank.
Also, keep in mind that the delivery drivers will need to have easy access to the tank for refills. If you have a small lawn you may be limited to the size of tank you can install.
Underground Propane Tank Sizes
Underground propane tanks generally range in size from 250 gallons to 1500 gallons. In this article, we will focus on the tank sizes most commonly used in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
Keep in mind that by law propane tanks can only be filled to 80% of capacity. This is a safety precaution that allows for the expansion of gas.
325 Gallon Tanks
For a home that uses just a few propane appliances, the 325-gallon tank may be sufficient. It can support clothes dryers, fireplaces, stoves, or backup generators.
The 325-gallon tank is a nice compromise between the smaller 250 and larger 500-gallon tanks. This tank measures 10′ long by 30″ in diameter. At capacity, it holds 260 gallons of propane which is equal to 23,790,520 BTUs.
Code requires this size tank to be set ten feet away from any structure or property line.
500 Gallon Tanks
For a home that uses propane for heating, as well as appliances, the 500-gallon tank is ideal. It can support a home up to 1500 square feet or households with 4 or more people. The larger capacity allows you to save money by purchasing propane when rates are lower.
This size is good for homes that expect to consume 500-1500 gallons of fuel during the heating season (September – March).
The 500-gallon tank is one of the most commonly installed in our area. This tank measures 10′ long by 37″ in diameter. At capacity, it holds 400 gallons of propane which is equal to 36,600,800 BTUs.
Code requires this size tank to be set ten feet away from any structure or property line.
1000 Gallon Tanks
The 1000 gallon tank is required for larger homes that use propane for heating. This tank measures 16′ long by 41″ in diameter. At capacity, it holds 800 gallons of propane which is equal to 73,201,600 BTUs.
This size is good for homes that expect to consume 1500-5000 gallons of fuel during the heating season (September – March).
Code requires this size tank to be set 25 feet away from any structure or property line.
1500 Gallon and Above Tanks
These larger sized tanks are generally for commercial or agricultural use. They are recommended for businesses or farms using more than 5000 gallons of propane per year.
These tanks measure upwards of 22′ long by 45″ in diameter. At capacity, a 1500 gallon tank will hold 1200 gallons of propane which is equal to 109,802,400 BTUs.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have some figures to go by, you should be well on your way to determining the best underground propane tank size for your location. Keep in mind that most of these figures are just estimates and there are always exceptions to the rule.
In general, we see most homeowners in Chester County, Lancaster County, Delaware County, and Northern Delaware using 500 gallons and 1000 gallon underground propane tank sizes.
Kauffman Gas has served these areas for over 75 years, so we’re familiar with the needs of local homeowners.
Contact Us for help choosing the ideal propane tank size for your home. We will do all the calculations for you, and put it all together in a proposal that you can understand!
