When it comes to powering your home, your various appliances, heating systems, and more, propane has always been a reliable and versatile fuel choice.

However, ensuring efficiency with propane means selecting the right propane gas tank size for your life and your home. The right (or wrong) propane gas tank sizes will affect cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

In this blog post, we will delve into the world of propane tanks and tell you everything you need to know to choose the right tank for your home.

 What is Propane?

Propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)  is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic gas that is used for furnaces, water heaters, cooking in a residential setting. This gas is highly flammable and can pose a threat if leaked. This is why propane has an odorant added to it so people can smell the gas if it is leaking.

Large propane gas tank sizes have a capacity of 8 gallons and up to 2000 gallons.

What You Need to Know About Propane Gas Tanks

Capacity – If you are new to propane, know that a propane tank can only be filled to 80% of its capacity for safety precautions. The 20% capacity left in the tank will give room for gas expansion when temperatures rise.

On many propane gas tank sizes, there is a safety flapper valve that won’t allow a tank to be filled above 80%.

Tank Recertification– Stationary propane tanks are required by the DOT and NFPA to be recertified periodically.

This recertification needs to be done twelve years from the date manufactured and every five years after the first recertification.

Building Codes – If you have an underground propane tank, it must be at least 10 feet away from the building, property, and away from any traffic.

Fill Pricing – Most propane companies sell propane by the pound or by the gallon. It’s essential to know that there are 4.2 lbs in one gallon of propane.

Propane Gas Tank Sizes

These are the most common propane gas tank sizes used in a residential setting:

20 lb tank

This propane tank measures at 18″ tall and 12″ inches in diameter. The Tank holds 5 gallons of propane is portable and light to pick up. These are the standard tanks used for barbecue grills. You can exchange them at a propane station or have them refilled.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $35-$50
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $15-$20

33 lb tank

33 lb tanks are 2 feet and 1 foot in diameter. This propane gas tank size holds about 8 gallons of propane is also are portable. Barbeque grills and propane heaters use these tanks. Like 20 lb tanks, they can be refilled or exchanged.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $50-$60
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill –

100 lb tank

100 lb tanks are 4 feet tall and about 20″ in diameter. They hold right around 25 gallons of propane and portable with help. Unlike the smaller tanks we’ve mentioned, these tanks can only be refilled at a propane refill station and can be exchanged. 100 lb tanks hold about 25 gallons when full.

Residential appliances in Rv’s and motorhomes commonly use 100 lb tanks.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $120-$150
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill –

120 lb Tanks

These propane gas tanks sizes are 5 1/2 feet tall in length, and 2 feet in diameter are suitable for homes that use two to three LP gas appliances such as water heaters, clothes dryers, gas furnaces, and LP stoves. 120 lb propane gas tanks are commonly seen in large mobile homes or 5th wheel travel trailers.

These size tanks must be affixed permanently and are not transportable, but they can be permanently fixed to mobile homes and used on the road. 120lb tanks hold about 30 gallons of propane at 80%.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $400-$520
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $70

420 lb Tank

A 420 lb tank holds about 100 gallons of propane at 80% capacity. Common uses for 420 lb tanks are home heating, dryers, fireplaces, pool heat, and water heaters. They are approximately 4 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $600-$750
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $200

325 Gallon Tank

A 325-gallon tank is 9’11”  length and 30″ in diameter. This propane gas tank size is perfect for someone who has a larger home who runs mostly appliances that run on LP.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $1,200-$1,300
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $650

500 Gallon Tank

This size tank has enough capacity to heat your house, back up generators, pool heat, or several appliances. A 500-gallon tank saves you from having multiple fill-ups in a small home in the range of 2500-4500 square feet. This tank usually measures out to 3 1/2 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

A tank size of 500 gallons can be placed below ground or above ground and can hold about 400 gallons at 80%

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $1,600-$1,700
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – Yes
• Average Cost to Fill – $1,000

1,000 Gallon Tank

This is the tank to have if you have a large home and need to run your gas furnace as your primary source of heat throughout the winter. This tank will satisfy the needs of businesses, ranch-style homes, farmers, or anyone who uses a lot of propane throughout the year.

This tank is useful if you want to reduce filling your tank several times per year. You might consider automatic delivery if you have a 1,000-gallon tank and use propane as your primary source of fuel.

A tank this size is seen in places where the climate gets cold and bitter since gas heat burns cleaner and heats up faster than electric heat.

• Propane Gas Tank Price Range (empty) – $2,500-$2,600
• Portable – Yes
• Exchangeable – Yes
• Above Ground – Yes
• Below Ground – No
• Average Cost to Fill – $2,000

Which Tank is Best for Me?

This question all depends on your application. Small outdoor appliances such as barbecue grills and outdoor heaters commonly use 20-30 lb tanks. RV’s and motorhomes will use propane gas tank sizes between 100-120lbs.

If you have a small house and are powering small LP gas-powered appliances, a 325-gallon tank should satisfy your needs. If you have a larger home and use propane as your primary source of heat, we suggest going with a tank that is 500 gallons or higher.

Here at Kauffman Gas, we are here to service any of your propane needs. If you have any questions regarding propane gas tank sizes, installation, or propane in general, please contact us.