How Long Does A Propane Tank Last – And Other Important Questions

Home » Blog » How Long Does a Propane Tank Last – and Other Important QuestionsHow Long Does a Propane Tank Last – and Other Important Questions

The propane tank is the heart of your propane-powered home, pumping propane gas to appliances that will keep your family warm and your home more fun and comfortable all year long.

But how much do you really know about propane tanks? Here are three important questions and answers to get you started.

1. How long should a propane tank last? Propane tanks are built for the long haul: on average, a high quality, properly maintained galvanized aboveground propane tank or propane cylinder should last 30 years or more, while some aluminum and composite cylinders can last even longer. Much of the propane tank longevity equation comes down to the size and use of the tank and how well it has been cared for – for example, propane tanks that are installed underground have a shorter average life expectancy of 20 to 30 years, depending on the soil type and whether or not the tank was installed properly.

2. How large a propane tank do I need? Propane tanks come in a range of sizes; choosing the right size for your Connecticut home depends on the kind of propane appliances and equipment that you intend to run. Here are some common propane tank sizes and some of the appliances they typically power:

• 56 gallon – For ovens, ranges and clothes dryers (holds 48 gallons of propane)
• 120 gallon – For water heaters, space heaters and pool heaters (holds 100 gallons of propane)
• 250 gallon – For generators, pool heaters, and a combination of appliances (holds 200 gallons of propane)
• 500 gallon – For central heating and pool heaters (holds 400 gallons of propane)
• 1000 gallon – For large homes and commercial applications (holds 850 gallons of propane)

3. What are some of these rules and regulations about propane tank placement? The placement of a propane tank is determined by federal, state and local laws, which must be observed at all times. Here are some of the most important ones:

Propane tanks under 125 gallons water capacity:

• Must be at least 10 feet from a window air conditioner
• Must be placed a minimum of 5 feet from a crawl space opening

Propane tanks 125-500 gallons water capacity:

• Must be placed a minimum of 10 feet from a building
• Must be at least 10 feet from a line of adjoining property

Propane tanks up to 2000 gallons water capacity:

• must be placed a minimum of 25 feet from the building
• no part of an underground tank of this size shall be less than 10 feet from a building or line of adjoining property

Quick Burn-Time Estimate (Tank Size vs BTU Rating)

Today’s propane equipment provides excellent efficiency, but you need to make sure you have adequate fuel in your home propane tank to accommodate the needs of your home.

How long does a propane tank last? We hear that questions from many people, and multiple variables impact the answer to that question, including:

• How many propane products your home has
• The age and efficiency of these appliances
• The size of your house and how well-insulated it is
• Your consumption habits involving these gas products (eg, how often your family needs to shower, how warm you like the house, etc.)
• The size of your home’s propane tank

You get a rough estimate of how a simple calculation of how long a given gas product will run on a full tank of propane. Start by identifying the appliance’s BTU rating and the size of your propane tank in gallons. Multiply the number of gallons in a full tank by 91,452. (Bear in mind that above-ground tanks are only filled to 80% capacity. So, for example, a full 500-gallon tank would contain about 400 gallons of propane.) Then divide that total by the appliance’s BTUs to estimate how long it can operate at full power. This approach works for common propane-powered equipment such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, ranges and outdoor appliances.

As you can imagine, tracking fuel consumption can be challenging, in part because usage changes from day to day. Your furnace won’t burn as much propane on a 45-degree day as it will on a 15-degree day. That’s why most Hocon customers prefer to have us do the tracking and delivery planning for them with our no-fee automatic delivery schedule. We account for your usage patterns and current weather to determine when you’ll need more fuel — then we set up a propane fill-up for you.

Have any more questions about propane tanks? Contact a propane expert at Hocon Gas today to learn more!