Propane Tanks: What Style and Size Is Right for You?

If you’re planning to convert your home for propane use, add supplemental propane heating to a home addition, or even power your commercial business with propane, one of the most important steps you will have to take is choosing a propane tank.

So how do you choose a propane tank? Here are some basics that will help you get started.

Horizontal and vertical propane tanks

There are two basic styles of aboveground propane tanks: horizontal tanks and vertical cylinders. The tank you choose will primarily depend on how you will use your propane, and how much of the gas you will need.

• Horizontal propane tanks – Horizontal propane tanks are large, high-capacity containers typically used in homes and commercial sites where propane is the primary source of heat. Because they have a higher capacity, you won’t need as many propane deliveries – a definite plus during a Massachusetts winter. Horizontal tanks are typically painted white or green.
• Vertical propane cylinders – Vertical propane cylinders are typically used for intermittent applications. The benefit of these smaller tanks is that they can be placed right up to a building or near a property line, allowing them to be hidden out of sight. Most vertical propane cylinders are white.

Common propane tank sizes

Propane tanks come in sizes ranging from small 56-gallon containers to 1000+ gallon vessels. Some common propane tank sizes are:

• 100 pound (holds about 25 gallons of propane when full) – Common uses include home fireplaces, cooking, dryers, barbecues, and commercial temporary heat on job sites.
• 420 pound (holds about 96 gallons of propane when filled to 80 percent) – Common uses include home space heating, water heaters, dryers, fireplaces, generators, and pool heat.
• 500 gallon (holds about 400 gallons of propane when filled to 80 percent) – Common uses include heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying and temporary heating. This tank size will be appropriate to heat most houses ranging from 1500 to 2500 square feet.
• 1000 gallon (holds about 800 gallons of propane when filled to 80 percent) – Common uses include whole home systems, home heating, generators, pool heat, commercial heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying and temporary heating. This tank size is appropriate to heat most houses ranging from 4500 square feet and up.

If you’re not sure what type or size of propane tank you should use for your home or business, give us a call – whether you want to upgrade or add a tank or perform a complete propane conversion, our experts will help you find a solution that meets your space, lifestyle, and budget needs.

Contact Pioneer today to learn more about propane tank options for your Massachusetts home or business!