What Size Propane Tank Do You Need for Your Home? A Haffner’s Guide
Propane tanks are one of the most important pieces of equipment for your home. They store liquid propane before it converts to gas to provide you power which you can then use to run your heat in the winter and power appliances like stoves, indoor fireplaces, dryers, and more. Similarly to how every home varies in size, so do their propane tanks. You can easily figure out what size you need here—in Haffner’s guide to propane tank sizes.
How Do Propane Tank Sizes Work?
Propane tanks usually come with two sets of measurements—their dimensions and their weight when full. These figures are important for knowing how big the tank will be and if it will fit where you need it to go.
But the most important measurement is how many gallons the tank can hold. With this number, you can tell how much gas you have left in your tank before you need to refill it. You want to find the right size to keep an uninterrupted flow of fuel coming to your home so you never run out.
A 20-pound tank, for example, holds five gallons of propane. This makes it very light and easy to pick up, and cheap to refill. But since it’s smaller, you may need to refill it quite often by going to a refill station. A 33-pound tank holds eight gallons of propane, is still easy to pick up, and will require less refilling than a smaller tank. Smaller tanks are generally not enough to power whole homes.
A 100-pound tank can hold nearly 25 gallons of propane, which means you will probably need help moving it, but you could get at-home exchange service too. Bigger tanks, like the 420-lb which holds 100 gallons, the 500 gallon tank, and the 1,000 gallon tank can hold a ton of gas, but will be more expensive to fill up since they require refilling on-site.
Typical Sizes of Propane Tanks for Home Heating
Since propane tanks keep your house heated, getting the right size is crucial for your home. Picking a size depends on a few factors, such as location—if you live in the cold New England region, you’ll probably need a bigger tank than a Southern home. A house with 1,400 square footage won’t need as big of a tank as a 3,000 square foot house. And a house with good insulation and furnace efficiency won’t need as large a tank either. Certain areas have propane regulations for homes, so always check those out too.
For example, a 120-gallon tank would suit a one- to two-bedroom home that uses one or two propane appliances, such as a 900-1,000 square foot house with standard hot water, a clothes dryer, and a stove. A 325-gallon tank would be better for a 1,000-1,200 square foot house with two to three appliances. A 500-gallon tank could power both of these homes with central heat. A 1,000 gallon tank would be better for a house between 2,000-4,500 square feet, and larger ranch-style homes with multiple buildings would need a 1,400-2,000 gallon tank.
Propane Tanks for Cooking and Water Heating
The number of appliances you use in your home, especially for cooking, is a major factor for choosing between propane tank sizes. 100-pound tanks are usually good for those with a small number of appliances and heating devices. But, if you have a large family, you’ll probably use a lot of hot water for showers and cooking, which means you probably need a bigger tank.
If your home has a gas stove and you plan to do a lot of cooking at home, you’ll also need a larger tank. If you have a small family but a lot of devices that use propane—a stove, a generator, a dryer, and a pool that you plan to heat along with the rest of your home—you’ll need to go even bigger, maybe 100 gallons or more.
Propane Tanks for Outdoor Living
When the weather is nice, you’ll want to enjoy the great outdoors with a grill, a fire pit, or a patio heater—but all these appliances usually require propane to run. If you live somewhere warm where you’ll be outdoors a lot and have an outdoor propane tank, you might have the opportunity to connect your outdoor appliances to your main tank and fuel them from there. If you live somewhere colder and only use these appliances seasonally, it’s usually better to get a smaller tank that’s separate from the one you use to fuel your home. This makes it easier to refill, too.
When you pick a tank for your grill or fire pit, however, make sure to check the BTU of the burner. Certain BTU levels, like a fire pit rated for a 125,000 BTU, would require a larger tank like the 33-pound to fuel a steady flame. 20-pound tanks work well for most propane grills, but always double-check the BTU.
Choose The Right Propane Tank Sizes with Haffner’s
Now you know everything you need to look for to find the right size of propane tanks for your home. Here’s a quick checklist to help you in your search:
- How many propane-powered appliances will my home use, inside and out?
- What’s my home’s square footage, insulation level, and furnace efficiency?
- What’s my predicted average propane usage?
- How often do I want to refill my propane tank?
- How much space do I have to store a tank, inside or outside?
- What local regulations or restrictions do I have to follow?
If you have further questions, our experts at Haffner’s will gladly consult with you to help you find the right tank to keep your family safe, warm, and comfortable at home. And once you have your tank, we can supply you with reliable propane delivery and refills so you never have to worry about running out of gas! Get in touch with us today to get started.