A complete guide to residential propane tank sizes

Residential propane tanks come in various sizes, from 100 to 1,000 gallons. The size you need will depend on your home’s unique heating needs, propane appliance usage, and other factors that will affect what size propane tank will best suit your home and family.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Propane Tank Size

When choosing a propane tank size, consider how much propane you’ll need and how many times per year you want to fill your tank to meet these needs:

1. Home’s Heating Needs: Does your home depend on propane for heat? Evaluate your home’s square footage, insulation quality, and the average number of days you’ll need to heat your home. Larger homes in the Mid-Atlantic region typically require more storage capacity to ensure sufficient heating throughout the winter months.
2. Appliance Usage: Assess the number and type of propane-powered appliances you’re using, such as water heaters, stoves, dryers, and fireplaces. High-demand appliances, like pool heaters or backup generators, will require a larger tank for consistent performance.
3. Overall Energy Demand: Consider your household’s energy consumption patterns. Frequent usage or plans for future additions – like outdoor kitchens or additional heating systems – should influence your choice. Opting for a larger tank can reduce the need for frequent refills and provide peace of mind during peak usage periods. Also, your family size and fluctuations in the number of people living in your home will affect your propane usage. Think about residents, guests, and gatherings when considering how much propane you’ll need to have on hand to meet spikes in demand.

When you’re planning for heating a large home, running a backup generator, or have a pool heater or other high-usage appliances in use, you may need more propane storage capacity than you think. That could mean a larger tank, or two or more smaller tanks, depending on your lot and safe tank placement options.

Did you know? Different size tanks require different safe distances from buildings and property lines. Those requirements also change depending on whether the tank is set above ground, or below ground. Learn more about safe tank placement options by reading our guide to choosing your propane tank location.

Common Residential Propane Tank Sizes and Their Applications

100-Gallon Propane Tank

A 100-gallon propane tank is ideal for homes needing fuel for smaller applications like propane water heaters, fireplaces, or supplemental heat from small space heaters. This is especially true in households with fewer residents and minimal heating needs. This is the most popular size tank on Delmarva, though many year-round residents have more than one 100-gallon tank.

Homeowners generally opt for two or more 100-gallon propane tanks instead of one larger tank for greater flexibility when it comes to installation locations, especially when lot space is tight. These tanks can be connected in parallel using a dual-tank regulator system, which allows for automatic switching between tanks when one becomes empty. This setup ensures a continuous propane supply without requiring manual switching between tanks. The dual-tank configuration can also provide a backup supply that is only filled during high-use seasons, reducing the risk of running out of propane unexpectedly.

The primary benefit to installing two, 100-gallon tanks rather than one, 250-gallon tank, is greater flexibility for tank placement. All tanks larger than 100 gallons are required to be at least 10 feet away from buildings and property lines, which can be a challenge on smaller lots.

250-Gallon Propane Tank

A 250-gallon LP (liquid propane) tank suits medium-sized homes needing propane for home heating, water heaters, cooking, and small appliances. This size tank can be ideal for households with moderate energy demands, but requiring a reliable heating source during colder months.

500-Gallon Propane Tank

A 500-gallon LP tank is ideal for larger homes with significant heating needs and multiple high-demand appliances, like central heating systems, water heaters, and stoves. It’s suitable for year-round use, ensuring an ample and continuous propane supply during peak usage periods.

1,000-Gallon Propane Tank

A 1,000-gallon propane tank is perfect for very large homes or estates with extensive heating systems, multiple high-demand appliances, and possibly backup generators. Ideal for properties with high energy consumption, these tanks ensure a substantial and uninterrupted propane supply even during peak periods or extreme weather conditions.

Homeowners who choose a 1,000-gallon propane tank need to have plenty of space, since these large tanks are required to be at least 25 feet from buildings and property lines. These tanks are primarily used for business and agricultural propane needs, like chicken farm heaters and commercial grain drying operations, or fleet fueling stations for propane-powered vehicles and farm equipment.

Propane Tank Safety Checks for All Tank Sizes

Home propane tank maintenance involves regular visual inspections for leaks, corrosion, and damage. PepUp inspects our tanks at least annually, and at every tank fill, to check for regulator function, valve integrity, and overall tank condition for safe and efficient operation. Routine checks ensure long-term reliability and compliance with safety standards.

Call the Experts to Help You Choose the Right LPG Tank Size

PepUp Energy Specialists understand propane tank size options, placement requirements, and average annual household usage. If considering all the options and factors is leaving you unsure, or if you just want to confirm that you’ve selected the right size tank, contact us to speak with one of our team members. We’ll verify that you’re on the right track, and get you on our schedule for your tank delivery and setup.