Yeah; our 75g State Select was put in in '96, and leaked in '22. I'd say I got my money's worth from it.
Only issue I ever had with it was a solenoid which disabled fuel (propane) flow unless the power vent was running would stick occasionally in the last ten years and I couldn't find a replacement... but I didn't try very hard because I found that a light tap on it would make it work for a few more weeks lol
FWIW, next time a quick rinse with carb cleaner and cycling the valve usually works to restore the solenoid to normal. Propane has heavier hydrocarbons in it and in my experience over time they can build up on the inside of pipes and valves.
As I previously mentioned, the tank is "hidden" by bush and trees intentionally planted around the tank by the previous owner.
Major PITA to remove, and the cost to remove the tank was stupid by the LP company because I can only guess that they don't want to lose you as a customer.
Could outright buy a 500 gallon for less than 1/2 of what it costs to remove it.
The angst around the LP company who owns the tank is that the LP company has you by the gonads... If you call someone else to remove it, generally they won't touch it because you don't own it and if the LP company finds the tank removed, they can charge you anything they want for you to return it or charge you anything they want for it if it's "missing".
Yes, it is one of the many games propane companies play. Around here, if you ask the newco will come out with a partially filled tank, and set it up for use while you drain oldco's tank down. When oldco's tank is empty, it is pretty easy to move a propane tank. Newco then drops their tank on the old location.
Oldco has been known to not find the time to get their rental tank back. One member here got tired of the run around and told their company he was moving the tank toward the gate and on to the street if they didn't come by and get it.
This thread makes me feel like I'm in a bizarro world where nothing makes sense.
(I'm sure that this is just due to it being contrary to my own experience)
Why is that? I have no idea what it costs to rent a tank, but IMO, renting *anything* should be limited to things you only need for the short term. I do not know anybody that rents their propane tank.
My second tank (a 30 year old "refurb" that looks like new) that I bought seven years ago cost a few hundred dollars. What does it cost to rent?
Why would a company that is in the business of selling propane not want to sell propane to
anybody/everybody?
I would understand if they offer a discount rate for those that rent from them as a way to incentivize the long-term cash cow of tank rental, but no sale at all?
Is the no-sale thing a "gentleman's agreement" between the local propane dealers to limit competition? Do renters sign contracts to only buy from the one dealer?
I think that there is a liability issue in touching another company's equipment, so it might not entirely be jerking customers around. That said, my current propane company (one of the big national companies buying up the mom&pop propane companies) is quite happy to play endless games with customers, like eliminating local contact numbers, putting the call center overseas, and not empowering the call center representatives to be able to do anything of significance, like crediting an account. Used car salesmen are total amateurs by comparison.
A few years back, the propane company's tank leaked, and their technicians said, no problem the company will pay for the lost propane. Well, they did, eventually, but it took six months of calls, letter writing, two states Attorney Generals getting involved and a utility commission. Then the company tried to retaliate. Fun and games, and one reason I am on a mission to replace all of our propane appliances. I think that the induction stove is fifty times better than the propane stove, the heat pump dryer is both efficient and much gentler on the clothes, the heat pump water heater is on deck, which will leave just the furnace.
Around here, geothermal heat pumps have an ROI of never. I think it results from the high installation costs (labor, etc.), but it is also true that the efficiency of air source heat pumps have gotten much better over the years. Even if I installed the underground pipes myself for free, I can't make it pencil out here over the life of the units, even with the vanishing tax credits. YMMV, as I know that isn't true in other areas, especially if one is lucky, or unlucky, enough to have a high water table.
All the best,
Peter
