Propane Prices

[ultrarunner]

That is a great price... South Lake Tahoe was double that last I checked.

 

[K man]

Just topped mine here in Canada for .49 a liter so that is around 2.02 a gallon +tax works out to 2.26 a gallon still a rip off lol

 

[Mendonsy]

Hmmm ..... I filled our two tanks at the end of September (741 gallons total) and they only charged me $1.09/gal. Our prices for everything are normally above the national average. I wonder if they made a mistake??

 

[roadhunter]

Summer fill was $1 per gallon here and now 1.09 per gallon.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

The summer contract was $1.18 a gallon here in Minnesota.

 

[dirt ditch]

Just had our tank filled this week. $1.16 a gallon + the regulator on the tank was 15 years old so another $80 to replace that.

 

[bumperm]

What would be good, but I haven't found it, is a graphic depiction (map) showing prices in various areas of the country. Transportation costs justifiably affect pricing, so it seems reasonable their will be variations based on that alone.

One thing for sure though, at least in our area, if you don't own your own tank and instead "rent it" from a propane company, they are the only ones that can legally service that tank. They know that, and you will pay dearly under that artificial lack of competition. On average, I spend a dollar a gallon less than my neighbors.

 

[RobA]

Got my 500 gallon tank filled last week. 345 gallons. $0.999 per gallon. 300 gallon minimum. I own the tank.

 

[bumperm]

Got my 500 gallon tank filled last week. 345 gallons. $0.999 per gallon. 300 gallon minimum. I own the tank.

That looks to be a very good price compared to the $2 national average. Course some are getting hosed with prices over $3.

Wholesale spot price in TX is down about 5% currently at $
.50 per gallon.

 

[atomchaser]

What are the prices looking like now? I just got a price from Suburban Propane in Ohio, $2.69 (approx. 250 gallons) for a current customer.

Look for a different supplier. I had Suburban and they will charge whatever they can get away with. I switched to Superior Plus Energy and they are a lot cheaper and don't charge for the tank rental if you use a tank full every year.

 

[LD1]

What are the prices looking like now? I just got a price from Suburban Propane in Ohio, $2.69 (approx. 250 gallons) for a current customer.

Where in ohio u at? BEst prices around here have always been at a local farmers coop.

 

[bumperm]

Some states, like Nevada, recognize the competitive advantage propane companies hold over their "tank rental" customers. In NV, this means you can call the propane company and tell them to remove their tank at no cost to you. They are required to measure the remaining propane in the tank and give you a refund. The new company will most often install their tank for free. So you can switch with no penalty.

You can and should require the propane company to call you before delivery and quote you their price and by law they must comply, even if you have a "keep full" agreement - this at least puts a little downward pressure on their price to you. Many propane companies have more than one price and are willing to negotiate, especially if they think that by not doing so they may lose your business.

Owning one's own tank is most often best, and will typically pay for itself in 2 or 3 years depending on the amount you use. I have propane companies calling me and sending me post cards advertising their one time special sale fill up prices. I most often shop around for myself and several neighbors for a common, COD price for all of us. Sort of a group buy thing.

 

[ultrarunner]

We own in South Lake Tahoe... 500 gallon tank.

Last year we use 3 gallons!

Also have a keep full agreement.

Typically we would spend about a $1000 a year... last year is the first year I shut everything down... gas, water and electric... all at the main.

Family went up and had a fit... they did not say anything and then get a call at 11pm that there is not hot water, water or lights...

For a $1,000 a year there will not be anymore either...

 

[bumperm]

We own in South Lake Tahoe... 500 gallon tank.

Last year we use 3 gallons!

Also have a keep full agreement.

Typically we would spend about a $1000 a year... last year is the first year I shut everything down... gas, water and electric... all at the main.

Family went up and had a fit... they did not say anything and then get a call at 11pm that there is not hot water, water or lights...

For a $1,000 a year there will not be anymore either...

What about freeze damage?

Do you pour antifreeze in the toilets and sink traps, drain everything you can?

 

[ultrarunner]

So far have been very fortunate since 1964... no freeze damage.

Have a old booklet from the water company with winterizing tips and we follow... says to use antifreeze in the traps and toilet bowl, have all faucets open and then turn off the water main

I do drain the water heater... current heater is a circa 1980 Hoyt made in Oakland CA...

For decades we left the thermostat set at 45 which is the lowest setting with the cabinet doors wide open under the kitchen, laundry and vanity sinks.. water heater on pilot... that single pilot was enough to keep the water warm even in the coldest stretch of winter.

Two years ago a bear ripped the propane line/regulator right off the 500 gallon tank that was filled to 80% and we lost it all... since then, I just have not felt comfortable leaving the gas on with no one around for months on end... the bear is still very active in the neighborhood.

 

[JDL538]

Wholesale price today is 51 cents.

 

[Ford850]

What are the prices looking like now? I just got a price from Suburban Propane in Ohio, $2.69 (approx. 250 gallons) for a current customer.

To follow up on some of your comments about this...
Yeah I know, Suburban is consistently at the high end of prices. They have no other hidden fees though, and the high prices cover the tank 'rental'. I've run the numbers many times, and still stick with them since I can't justify the cost of buying a tank just to get potentially lower priced propane. It's a 500 gallon tank. I get it topped off no more than once per year, so the 250 gallons I'm getting now will last me until this time next year. They allow me to keep the larger tank (after some tough discussion) since my drive requires them to back in, winding up a curvy grade, which most propane places tell me they will not do if there is any ice or snow. So I can't chance running out during a bad stretch of winter, and the larger tank gives me some insurance in case my wood heat or electric heat pump fail. I think some day I will make a change and probably buy a tank, but for now I put up with Suburban.

 

[lilranch2001]

In our area Suburban bought out our local Hoosier Propane.
I quit Hoosier 4-5 years ago because they were always the highest priced around
It sounds like they were a good fit to purchase Hoosier!!

 

[RobA]

To follow up on some of your comments about this...
Yeah I know, Suburban is consistently at the high end of prices. They have no other hidden fees though, and the high prices cover the tank 'rental'. I've run the numbers many times, and still stick with them since I can't justify the cost of buying a tank just to get potentially lower priced propane. It's a 500 gallon tank. I get it topped off no more than once per year, so the 250 gallons I'm getting now will last me until this time next year. They allow me to keep the larger tank (after some tough discussion) since my drive requires them to back in, winding up a curvy grade, which most propane places tell me they will not do if there is any ice or snow. So I can't chance running out during a bad stretch of winter, and the larger tank gives me some insurance in case my wood heat or electric heat pump fail. I think some day I will make a change and probably buy a tank, but for now I put up with Suburban.

I was in the same boat as you. Long driveway, rented a tank, use about the same amount as you. I was paying $2.89 a gallon from the rental tank supplier. If I use 1 tank a year (400 gallons) I save about $750 per year. I paid $1,500 for the tank. It will pay for itself in 2 short years.

 

[TheMan419]

We don't use propane as we have a natural gas line to the house. Just looked here in Northern Indiana it looks to be about $1.70 a gallon. Not sure if that is for someone who rents the tank or if you own your own.

I would be in the camp that would want to own my own just because I would want the ability to shop prices.