Propane prices in your area?

[Angelus]

My grandfather started a propane business back in the 1940s. Our family sold the business in the late 80s. I was involved in the industry association through the late 90s. Most of the guys I met were very honest people.

Here is why prices may be different among different dealers in the SAME part of the country. Some dealers have invested in large tanks, which they fill with propane bought when prices are low. So they have more flexibility with pricing. The guys who were lucky enough to have money to buy bulk gas when prices where low are likely offering the lower prices. The high-priced guys are likely that way because they bought more expensive gas (read: bought at the wrong time) and have to sell it for more than what they bought it for.

And just for the record, you can't compare propane prices in DIFFERENT parts of the country. There are many factors (transportation, number of local refineries, pipeline proximity, etc.) that affect the cost of LPG.

 

[sweettractors]

The highest distributor, by far, is a public stock exchange traded company and largest of all in this area of Ky. They have the attitude, take it or leave it. Ken Sweet

 

[JDL538]

Propane is $1.35 in N.KY if You buy 1001 gal. THRIFTYPROPANE.COM
Only sell to 4 or 5 States.

 

[rcaretti]

I was just quoted $2.59 here in Maryland - that's their lock-in price through May 31, 2011. The EIA web site has the average residential price in Maryland at $2.87, so I'll be signing the contract...

 

[Chilly807]

We buy it by the pound here... no idea how many pounds in a gallon, but the going rate is about 60 cents a pound at Costco. I don't know what residential delivery rates are, those may very well be in gallons.

Sean

 

[ToadHill]

To fill a 20 pound tank takes 4.8 gallons if my memory serves me right. So the cost per gallon would be about $2.80 per gallon.

I just signed up for refills this winter at $2.19. That's 20 cents higher than last year.

 

[bdeboer]

$1.89 here last week

 

[sodamo]

$5.40 /gal my Sept fillup.

 

[Sigarms]

Here is why prices may be different among different dealers in the SAME part of the country. Some dealers have invested in large tanks, which they fill with propane bought when prices are low. So they have more flexibility with pricing. The guys who were lucky enough to have money to buy bulk gas when prices where low are likely offering the lower prices. The high-priced guys are likely that way because they bought more expensive gas (read: bought at the wrong time) and have to sell it for more than what they bought it for.

You forgot the most common reason.

The less you buy, the more they charge.

Personally, at least with my own LP company, if I could drop them in a heart beat, I would (numerous reasons why it is difficult to do so, but I'm slowly working on it).

 

[ronjhall]

$5.40 /gal my Sept fillup.

Hope the weather stays warm.
Filled my RV with propane yesterday. $3.80 a gallon. It is cheaper at other places, $2.50 and less per gallon. But driving the RV there would cost more in fuel than the savings for 8 gallons of propane.