Who owns their own propane tank?

[mikim]

I bought a used 1000 gal tank for $1000 for the new house. Because I had so many gas appliances in the new house I got a $600 rebate from the state. Net for the tank - $400 - and I have a choice of 2 local companies that will deliver to me.....not that there's any difference between 'em.

 

[George2615]

and this is what they did to an employee??? jeesh

I've had a co. who for two years in a row filled my oil tanks in April instead of in August when we usually fill them and told us we never called them to say that we wanted will call. I've installed locks on my fillers and that co. will no longer be a supplier.

Your right, they're sneaky!!

When I said I was with a propane company for almost 20 years I should have said I've used the services (bought propane) from the same company not that I worked for them. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[grsthegreat]

I keep renting mine cause our propane company only charges $20/yr and it includes the yearly pressure testing and valve maint. If i buy a tank, i have to shoulder these fees. I would like to bury my tank, but then i HAVE to buy a 1000 gal tank, and there realllll spendy. So i guess ill just keep "old ugly" above ground and plant shrubs around it.

 

[brokenknee]

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Something to consider when owning the tank is you and only you are responsible for any tank maintenance. Example: If your state requires the regulator to be replaced ever 5 years it's on your shoulders to do it or have it done. If a valve leaks all the fuel out it's on you.

I just moved so no longer have propane, (electric heat) When I did have propane it was only 5₵ more per gallon. The propane company owned the tank, but I owned the regulator and everything beyond that. In other words I owed anything that could possibly leak.

When they put it in, they used that plastic pipe, had a leak the first year, a gopher had dug down and chewed a hole in it. When I asked why the heck they would use plastic, they replied they only have problems in areas where there are farm fields nearby. duh I lived across the gravel road from 400 acres of corn. Even though I argued they used the wrong product for my application I still ended up paying for the propane I lost, plus the cost to run a new copper line to the tank.

 

[grsthegreat]

I just moved so no longer have propane, (electric heat) When I did have propane it was only 5₵ more per gallon. The propane company owned the tank, but I owned the regulator and everything beyond that. In other words I owed anything that could possibly leak.

When they put it in, they used that plastic pipe, had a leak the first year, a gopher had dug down and chewed a hole in it. When I asked why the heck they would use plastic, they replied they only have problems in areas where there are farm fields nearby. duh I lived across the gravel road from 400 acres of corn. Even though I argued they used the wrong product for my application I still ended up paying for the propane I lost, plus the cost to run a new copper line to the tank.

Hmm, the company i use pays for everything up to the regulator on the house. i guess it all depends on the company your using unless different states regulate it in different ways.

 

[Archer EV]

I bought our propane tank from an independent propane dealer six years ago. We had just built our new home. We also buy our propane from the same guy as he always has the best price locally. Not that it is cheap but he does beat everyone else by a little bit.

 

[brokenknee]

Hmm, the company i use pays for everything up to the regulator on the house. i guess it all depends on the company your using unless different states regulate it in different ways.

The story goes, someone went on vacation during the winter for a couple of weeks, the regulator went bad, lost all the propane, house froze bursting water pipes. Was told there was quit a bit of damage. Not sure if it was the owner or insurance company sued the propane company, propane company lost. Shortly after that every one got notice they owned the regulator (which in our area is usually mounted on the tank).

Problem solved for the propane company.

This is the story the istaller told me. I do know that every thing from the regulator was my responsiblity.

 

[Ken45101]

If you own the tank, you can shop for competitive rates instead of being locked in to one supplier (who knows they have a captive customer.)

You can also switch when their customer service stinks.

Ken

 

[JimP]

When we installed propane there was no rental charge for the tank if we used at least 50 gallons per year and propane cost about $3.50 gallon. In the next few years the company put a $60 year rental charge and prices went up to $5 gallon. We told them to get their tank (and they charged us to remove it) and installed our own 250 gallon tank. The first fill was under $3 gallon. Just recently I called the original company for a quote and their first question was do you own the tank. When I said yes they quoted me just over $3 gallon.

Owning your tank is the only way to deal with propane compnies.

Some gas companies will sell used tanks. When I asked how long the tanks were good for they told me they had never seen a tank fail.

 

[ragkar]

I got tired of the new fees of my propane company. These included an extra fee if the cost of diesel for their trucks increases and delivery sooner than five days. So I bought a tank and told the company to stop automatic deliveries.
To insure that they don't make a unrequested delivery when I'm not home, I fabricated a cable lock for the cover.
One of the most important documents that you must retain is documentary proof of your tank ownership. I put my papers in a preserving jar, pulled a vacuum on it and store it under the tank cover.