Should you Refill or Exchange your Propane Tank this Summer?
Whether you are preparing for a backyard barbecue or a road trip in the camper with the family – when you find that your small propane tank is empty, a decision must be made. Should you refill your propane tank, or exchange it for a new one?
The choice between propane tank exchange versus refill has two main arguments: convenience and cost savings. Without a doubt, refilling your propane tank is more cost-effective – but let’s take a closer look at the choices.
Refilling your Propane Tank – Pros and Cons
PROS
It’s cheaper. On average, it is about $1.76 per gallon cheaper to refill a propane tank versus exchanging. Refilling your own propane tank costs about $3-$4 per gallon while exchanging at a third-party retailer is usually around $5-6 per gallon.
When you refill your tank at Franger Gas, we guarantee you get a full tank every time. You will also avoid flat rate fills. That means you pay only for the gas we put in your cylinder, which we measure by weight.
Unmeasured Quantity. Sure, you know that it is propane, but you also aren’t exactly sure how much is really in it. Exchange tanks are partially empty to allow room for the gas to expand, but exchange tanks are only filled about ¾ of the way. An exchange tank is only guaranteed to be about 15 pounds out of a max of 20 pounds. A refill tank can be filled more, and the cost per gallon is quite a bit lower.
You may not be able to. If you have an older propane tank that has not been inspected in a long time, you will likely not be able to exchange it. Instead, you will be left having to purchase an entirely new tank and have it filled.
CONS:
Convenience. Instead of finding a fresh tank of propane when you need it at your nearest hardware store, gas station, or grocery market, you’ll have to take your tank to a retail location set up for refills, during normally scheduled business hours.
Convenience. Exchanging your propane tank is quick and easy. You can have a spontaneous barbecue, and quickly find the propane you need just moments before guests arrive and the grilling begins. The process only requires you to drop off your old tank and pick up a new one.
Exchanged propane tanks are regularly inspected, so you’ll know that the tank you pick up has a lot of life left. Remember – Franger Gas can inspect and recertify your existing tank for you!
CONS:
Less cost-efficient. Exchanging a propane tank can be less cost-efficient in several ways: higher price per gallon ($5-6 vs. $3-4 per gallon), not a full fill – and the potential of not using all of the propane prior to the exchange.
Find a Franger Gas location near you
Whether you choose to refill or exchange your propane tank, propane is the best way to fuel your summer. Propane is an affordable, easy-to-use, and efficient fuel. Contact Franger Gas today to for a propane tank refill – and don’t miss a beat in powering your summer activities!
Choosing the right heating source for your home is a big decision. Did you know that heating your home uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in your home – typically making up as much as 29 percent of your overall energy bill? And, depending on the heating system you choose, it can last upwards of 20 years. All of this makes it vital to take the time to investigate your home’s heating options.
This quick guide will help you choose the right home heating solution for your family as well as your finances. Let’s get started.
What are the key features to consider when choosing a heating source for your family?
It’s impossible to choose a suitable residential heating supply if you don’t first know what you are looking for. Statistics show that around 96% of the country is hooked up to a source of heating, with 47% relying on natural gas while 36% use electricity and 11% use other gas sources like propane gas.
One thing the percentages don’t reflect – is that most homeowners don’t consider the fact that they can change heating sources. Instead, they simply remain on whatever energy source was in place when they moved into their home.
However, switching to the best home heating solution offers a wide range of rewards when you prioritize the following features;
Cost – keeping your energy bill to a manageable level is the main goal for most homeowners, especially after recent price hikes. It is vital to know the cost of your heating per KwH and how it translates to the home heating cost.
Safety – every homeowner needs to know that their property is safe and choosing the proper residential heating will make a difference. Furthermore, making the right choice will put your mind at ease.
Environmental impact – reducing your carbon emissions is an increasingly important goal for families, and home heating is the perfect place to start.
Switching from one energy source to another may seem complicated, but it is a one-time change that can have a significant impact on your home. Given that it can save time, money, and the environment, it is a home upgrade that all families should consider.
Which heating source is best for your home?
As well as looking at the correct heating source, you will need the right heating system. The choice between a furnace, heating pump, and boiler, for example, can have a considerable impact. However, finding the best heating source should be your first goal.
No Heating Source
Some homes do not have any heating source. Southwestern territories show up to 15% of households have no heating source, which reflects the natural climate in those states. However, when living in Indiana (or most parts of the country), a heating source of some kind is necessary for cold winter months.
Natural gas
Natural gas is the most popular choice because it is often the source already in place. If the heating systems are in place, you may take the “don’t fix what isn’t broken” philosophy. Like any gas, it is deemed more reliable than electricity as it won’t drop out during a storm or power outage. Moreover, natural gas is cleaner than fossil fuels and easier to store. The supply across the Midwest and the rest of the United States is very good. However, natural gas is combustible and is not a renewable energy source.
Electric heating
Electric heating as a home heating source is also quite popular. Firstly, it is a solution that requires minimal initial cost as electric heaters are very cheap to purchase. It also offers a convenient option as the installation doesn’t require any changes to the property. However, it is an expensive choice – with electricity costing more than twice that of natural gas and propane. The costs are even higher once the heater becomes inefficient. It is also slower to heat your home and can be unreliable in power outages.
Propane gas
Propane gas for residential heating isn’t always a homeowners’ first thought for heating their home – mainly because it’s not the solution they inherit. The main disadvantage is that it requires an initial expense to make the switch. Meanwhile, it should be noted that it burns at a lower temperature, which does mean you will need to burn more if you want the same room temperatures as fossil fuels. For most people, though, this is not an issue.
Propane gas offers a multitude of benefits for those who want to heat their home and stay warm in the colder months. Those benefits include:
Propane is Environmentally friendly. The 1990 Clean Air Act lists propane as a green energy source. As well as low carbon content, it does not contaminate groundwater. If you are looking for ways to help the environment, switching to propane is a great way to do so.
Propane Gas saves money. It saves money compared to natural gas, even if the energy price has increased significantly in recent times. The Franger Gas Guaranteed Price Program schedule helps you cut the costs further.
Propane Gas is safe. It is a safe solution for your family as the storage tanks are far less likely to encounter punctures. Likewise, propane gas doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals. Propane gas produces heat, vapor, water, and carbon dioxide. It also has a remarkable safety record – due in part to codes and regulations put in place by the propane industry and National Fire Protection Association.
Propane Gas is reliable. Like natural gas, propane will continue to provide reliability when you have an electric power outage. When coupled with the fact it can be used for grills, furnaces, and more, it is a fantastic solution.
The verdict
Whether moving into a new property or upgrading the heating source in your current property doesn’t matter; propane is the best choice for your home. It’s safe, affordable, and reliable. It also signifies a huge step to reducing your carbon footprint.
And for our existing Franger Gas customers, you can further reduce your costs for heating your home with our Refer A Friend program at Franger Gas. Using this service can help a friend attain the benefits of heating their homes with propane gas and see a reduction in your bills with account credit.
Uses far beyond heating the home
Did you know propane can be used for so much more than heating? You can use Propane for:
Home Heating
Water Heating
Emergency backup generators
Gas logs, fireplaces and stoves
Clothes drying
Space heaters for three-season rooms and garages
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
Gas grills
Pool heaters
Hot tub heaters
Excellent Customer Service with Franger Gas
At Franger Gas, we deliver exceptional energy and exceptional service. We are a locally owned and operated family company that understands the community because it is our home as well. With over 75 years of propane experience, we know what it takes to get the job done. We offer several Residential Programs to help keep your cost down and your propane tank filled!
A number of our customers have been inquiring about the difference between Natural Gas and Propane when it comes to providing heat for the home. There has been a marketing push for the conversion to natural gas as it becomes available in the local area. As a marketer of propane, we certainly want to help our customers understand what is involved in possibly making the switch from propane to natural gas. Customers often ask these common questions:
What is the difference between natural gas and propane?
Both fuels are clean burning gases! They burn at different pressures but otherwise are extremely similar. Both are naturally odorless and colorless (but usually have a chemical odorant added for safety). Natural gas is sourced from the ground while propane is a by-product of either crude oil or natural gas. Natural gas is brought to you via pipelines connected to your home but propane is brought to homes on trucks and then stored in pressurized tanks.
Do my current appliances work with both choices?
While there are exceptions to everything, generally speaking the answer is no. Another difference between natural gas and propane is that the fuels burn at different pressures. This means, usually at a minimum you need conversion kits to move to the specific fuel. A lot of appliances are not convertible, so they would need to be replaced.
Is the gas line installed in my house compatible with both fuels?
In some cases, yes. If the house is older, the line would need to be upgraded for the new fuel. But you would certainly need to make sure that compatible line is sized correctly for the appliances in your home.
Which one is less expensive?
Even though they are billed differently (Natural Gas Therms versus Propane Gallons), the pricing for natural gas per unit is less than propane.
Because propane delivers more BTUs for your dollar, it is often the choice fuel to run your home appliances more efficiently. It is also typically better for cooking, especially if you utilize an outdoor barbeque, as it is more cost-effective for high-heat grilling. Additionally, propane is seen as an “off-the-grid” heating solution. Meaning propane is portable and can easily work if other systems in your house malfunction, or if you need to move to another location.
Should I switch from propane to natural gas?
The last question is the toughest, because the answer is dependent on the customer. We have compiled a set of questions below that may help inform a customer so that they may make a good decision:
1) How is the service level of the company that supplies my propane? Do they take care of my needs? Do they answer the phone, or am I stuck in a call center? 2) What is the cost to hook up to natural gas? What are the application fees? 3) What is the amount of repair to my yard for the piping? 4) What is the cost to convert or replace my appliances? How much is it to inspect and/or upgrade the lines inside my house? 5) How many years will it take to break even on the expenses paid to make the change?
Franger Gas is here to meet your energy needs
If you are struggling to choose between propane or natural gas, our team is here to help. Let us answer any questions you might have. Call us today.
We like to live by a modern twist to the Aesop’s fable about the ant and the grasshopper: Don’t wait until you are on empty to find a gas station.
No one wants to see even a hint of disruption in the energy supply that fuels our everyday lives, like comfortable indoor temperatures, plenty of warm water or full grill tanks for outdoor cooking. That’s why we’re working hard at Franger Gas to make sure you have a reliable source of supply, no matter what happens with demand.
Take the worry out of winter. Buy your propane supply for your home at a locked-in price before the heating season begins.
You buy clean American gas when you buy propane. The U.S. leads the world in propane production, according to the National Propane Gas Association. We constantly source our supply from providers that maintain quality standards we know are important for customers like you.
Buying local gives you better value. We know our community and what it takes to keep your family comfortable. After all, we call this home for our families too. That’s why we always look ahead to understand supply flows, weather, worldwide economies and national demand for gas that affect logistics and price.
Tips to help you plan ahead for your fuel needs
Make sure you have plenty of fuel for your home, farm, business or LPG-fueled vehicle with these simple tips.
Check your propane tank gauge to make sure you have the fuel you need. If you are like us, you’re staying home more, cooking more meals at home, using heated water for more bathing. That means changes in your propane consumption.
Call one of our local offices if your level drops below 30 percent. We’re here to keep your fuel supply filled season after season.
Save money with our Automatic Fill Service. We monitor your tank level for you and give you a discount over our standard call-in rate.
Avoid out-of-gas calls. Making smart decisions now about your fuel supply can keep your tank filled and help limit in-person contact or entry into your home or business. Remember you can always pay your bill online, send us an email, or call us, (574) 264-2118.
If you need help from our service team, rest assured our technicians follow extra precautions with proper protective equipment and disinfectants while in the field.
We’re here to meet your energy needs
For propane delivery or to set up a new account, call (574) 264-2118.
