How A lot Does Propane Tank Set up Price? (2025)

The price of putting in a propane tank varies dramatically primarily based on components particular to your set up, together with the scale and site of the tank. Most householders pay round $1,400 for a whole-home propane tank. Nonetheless, propane tank costs can dip as little as $500 or as excessive as $5,000 or extra.

How Do Propane Tank Set up Prices Differ by Measurement?

A 100-gallon tank works effectively for operating a single dwelling equipment like a range, dryer, or water heater in smaller homes. These compact tanks (roughly 4.5 ft lengthy by 3 ft excessive) match properly in properties the place area is tight. Security guidelines restrict these tanks to 80 gallons of propane when stuffed, so that you’ll want refills each two to a few months with common use. Owners usually pay $600–$800 for these entry-level tanks, making them a less expensive alternative for restricted wants.

The 120-gallon tanks are barely bigger than their 100-gallon counterparts, serving an identical goal. Just like the 100-gallon fashions, they will’t energy many home equipment for too lengthy, in order that they’re greatest suited to occasional makes use of. On common, this tank prices between $350 and $600.

A 250-gallon tank gives a strong capability with out going overboard, making it superb for a handful of bigger home equipment. For instance, you possibly can energy a scorching tub, range, fire, or water heater. Though the compatibility will depend upon the specifics of the equipment and the way ceaselessly you utilize it, a 250-gallon tank is usually a good possibility. These tanks often value between $450 and $1,000.

A 330-gallon propane tank takes issues a step up however nonetheless doesn’t maintain sufficient propane to energy a full-sized family for a very long time. After all, it might work for smaller properties and particular person functions, just like the 250-gallon tank. It prices between $500 and $1,400.

The five hundred-gallon tank is what most folk select for traditional single-family properties within the 2,000–3,500 sq. foot vary. These can deal with your heating system plus all of your home equipment — water heaters, stoves, dryers, and fireplaces — on the identical time. Underneath regular use, you’ll refill this dimension tank two to 4 occasions yearly, extra in chilly climates like New England and fewer in milder southern areas.

These greater models stretch about 10 ft in size with a 3.5-foot diameter, in order that they want substantial yard area if positioned above floor. My neighbor in Michigan paid $1,350 for his above-ground set up, however underground setups can run as much as $2,500. The value leap occurs as a result of underground tanks want a deep gap dug plus particular rust-resistant coatings.

The 1,000-gallon propane tanks supply a formidable capability greatest suited to bigger properties and smaller companies. They work effectively for heating bigger properties, powering quite a few home equipment, or powering a backup generator for days.

These fashions often value between $1,500 and $3,000 for an above-ground set up or as much as $5,000 or extra for an in-ground set up.

When organising a propane tank, you’ll select between above-ground or underground placement. Every possibility has totally different advantages and prices it is best to weigh primarily based in your property and preferences.

An above-ground tank is cheaper for owners with sufficient yard area and tighter budgets. These value a lot lower than buried options since they don’t want intensive digging or particular protecting therapies.

The primary benefits are:

• Decrease prices: Most householders spend between $600 and $1,500 relying on tank dimension
• Simpler fixes: You possibly can see issues instantly and get them fastened shortly
• Easy refilling: The supply driver can simply spot and fill the tank
• Yard stays intact: No have to tear up your landscaping with main digging

These tanks want a strong basis — often a concrete pad at the very least 4 inches thick extending 1 foot past the tank edges. This concrete work provides about $200 to your set up, nevertheless it’s essential for security. Native constructing codes typically require concrete pads, particularly in locations with freezing winters or unstable floor.

Underground propane tanks make sense for owners who care about how their yard appears to be like and need higher safety from climate. These sit a number of ft under floor with only a small dome, fill valve, and gauge seen on the floor.

Going underground gives a number of advantages:

• Higher wanting yard: Nearly invisible as soon as the grass grows again
• Climate safety: Surrounding soil guards towards harsh climate
• Safer in case of leaks: Being buried reduces fireplace dangers
• Regular efficiency: Floor temperatures keep extra steady than air

Count on to pay $1,500–$5,000 for an underground propane tank. The upper worth covers the excavation work (often a gap 5–7 ft deep) plus the particular anti-corrosion coatings wanted for buried tanks.

Don’t neglect — you’ll in all probability want to repair up your garden after they dig the massive gap on your tank. That’s one other expense value planning for.

Apart from the propane tank sizes and site components, a handful of further components contribute to the ultimate value of your propane tank set up. These components can considerably influence your ultimate invoice, so it’s important to contemplate them and funds accordingly.

Most contractors comply with the Nationwide Hearth Safety Affiliation necessities for propane tank distances when putting in a residential propane tank. Some areas might not require you to comply with these pointers, however many do.

Like most constructing and home-related tasks, putting in a propane tank typically requires particular permits. The permits on your venture will fluctuate primarily based in your space, however many areas require owners to acquire particular permits earlier than finishing the venture.

These permits typically value between $25 and $50, though prices may be larger in some areas.

Moreover, bear in mind to funds for inspection prices. If you happen to set up an in-ground propane tank, you’ll often have to have an inspector study it for leaks and verify the valve for indicators of points. This typically prices between $50 and $75 yearly, though prices could also be larger or decrease in some areas. 

Labor value is a main issue contributing to the quantity in your ultimate venture invoice. The extra time and labor essential to finish the venture, the pricier it will likely be.

Typically, above-ground propane tanks are extra inexpensive, as they don’t require as a lot labor to put in. Nonetheless, if you must pour a concrete pad for the tank, you possibly can count on to pay extra to rent one other contractor to pour the pad.

In distinction, an in-ground propane tank usually prices greater than its above-ground counterparts. These installations entail an excavation course of to arrange the location for the tank. On prime of that, trenching may be essential (relying on the tank’s distance from your own home) to put in pipes that deliver the propane to your own home.

This takes extra time and interprets to larger labor prices. Nonetheless, prices will fluctuate between propane corporations, so get a couple of quote.

The preliminary preparation is vital when putting in a residential propane tank. If you happen to’re putting in an in-ground propane tank, your installer might want to excavate the location to arrange for the propane tank. Typically, it prices between $50 and $200 per cubic yard to excavate an space.

On the flip aspect, in case you’re putting in an above-ground propane tank, you would possibly have to pour a concrete slab. Necessities for concrete slabs and propane tanks fluctuate primarily based on location, however some areas require you to pour a concrete pad for the tank to take a seat on. The price of the concrete pad varies primarily based on its dimension, location, and the contractor you rent to finish the duty.

Shopping for Vs. Leasing a Propane Tank

When getting arrange with propane, you possibly can both purchase your individual tank outright or lease one from a propane firm. Every strategy has actual execs and cons value interested by.

Shopping for a Propane Tank

While you purchase your tank:

• You possibly can store round for the most affordable propane from any provider.
• You keep away from yearly rental charges ($150–$180) that corporations cost.
• You determine precisely the place to put it and when to schedule upkeep.
• It often pays for itself inside 5 to seven years in comparison with leasing.

On the draw back:

• You’ll want $1,000–$2,000 upfront to buy the tank.
• You’re on the hook for inspection prices and repairs.
• You’ll have to deal with permits and ensure every part meets code necessities.

Leasing a Propane Tank

While you lease a tank:

• You pay little or nothing upfront.
• The corporate takes care of inspections and most repairs.
• They deal with all of the permits and code compliance complications.
• It really works effectively for shorter-term conditions (like in case you would possibly transfer in just a few years).

The drawbacks:

• You could purchase propane solely out of your leasing firm (typically at larger costs).
• Many contracts have minimal yearly buy necessities.
• You may have much less say about when upkeep occurs.
• You’ll pay extra over time than in case you purchased the tank.

Frankly, in case you’re staying in your house for greater than 5 to seven years, shopping for makes higher monetary sense. I’ve seen too many people get caught with above-market propane costs from their leasing firm. That stated, leasing is sensible in case you worth comfort over long-term financial savings or aren’t prepared for the upfront buy.

Propane tanks supply an array of advantages which will attraction to numerous owners, whether or not you reside inside metropolis limits or far past them in a rural space. From a decreased carbon footprint to versatile makes use of, propane may be an impressive alternative for all types of energy wants.

Propane is a flexible gas supply that may adapt to totally different wants. You should use it to energy your own home’s heating setup you probably have a propane furnace or comparable heating system. It really works to supply scorching water, energy cooking home equipment, and dry clothes.

You should use it to warmth your pool as summer season ebbs into fall, energy your fire for cozy nights, and even energy numerous varieties of development and landscaping gear. It additionally works to energy some outside grills for a tasty barbeque or to step in and energy your generator as an alternate energy supply when the electrical energy goes out.

Whereas accessing pure gasoline strains to energy a house in a metropolis may be a breeze, this isn’t at all times the case for rural owners. The story appears to be like significantly totally different for many who stay greater than a hop, skip, and leap out of metropolis limits. These owners typically don’t have easy accessibility to a pure gasoline line, so bringing one to their dwelling can value tens of 1000’s of {dollars} if it’s even an possibility.

With a propane tank, the priority of bringing a pure gasoline line to your own home turns into a factor of the previous. Propane is available nationwide, and plenty of suppliers supply scheduled deliveries to make sure you by no means run out of it.

For the reason that tank is put in in your property, you don’t want to fret about connecting to a community of present pure gasoline strains. As a substitute, you pull straight from the put in propane tank, eliminating the necessity to pay tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in pure gasoline hookup prices.

Propane is a cheap different to different types of energy, like pure gasoline or electrical energy. This makes it a superb alternative for owners who need to lower your expenses in the long term, as operating every part in a home may be costly.

For instance, a propane water heater can produce as much as two occasions as a lot scorching water as an electrical unit in the identical timeframe. The story is far the identical with different home equipment all through your own home, so the financial savings add up shortly.

Skilled Vs. DIY Propane Tank Set up

Whereas DIYing some dwelling tasks to save cash is a possible possibility, it’s not a viable alternative for many propane tank installations. Right here’s what you must learn about DIYing your propane tank set up versus hiring a professional.

Putting in a propane tank as a DIY venture is doable with the right expertise. Nonetheless, these tasks typically require a concrete slab or heavy equipment to excavate a gap for the tank. And since you’re coping with flamable gasoline, we don’t suggest putting in a propane tank with out skilled help.

If you happen to get the right permits and DIY this venture, the prices related to renting heavy equipment and different instruments can climb practically as excessive as hiring knowledgeable. On prime of that, you’ll have to dedicate hours to the set up, so ultimately, it may be extra value and time-effective to rent a professional.

In lots of circumstances, hiring knowledgeable is one of the best ways to deal with a propane tank set up. The professionals have the heavy gear essential to deal with jobs like these, so that you gained’t have to fret about renting and transporting the outsized instruments to your own home.

On prime of that, there’s no guesswork concerned, as they’re professionals with intensive expertise within the business. Since hooking up the pipe system appropriately may be advanced, having a licensed plumber do it for you is usually your greatest wager.

Listed here are just a few suggestions that can assist you discover a skilled in your space:

1. Do a fast search: Search for native professionals providing propane tank set up providers close to you. Discuss to family and friends about their experiences and collect suggestions.
2. Choose prime suppliers: Learn by firm evaluations to weed out sub-par suppliers and choose just a few extremely rated choices.
3. Receive quotes: Contact every supplier and procure a customized quote on your venture.
4. Examine: Use the quotes you get out of your prime picks to check your choices.
5. Choose a supplier: Select the supplier that most closely fits your wants.
6. Schedule an appointment: Name the supplier you select to schedule an appointment to finish the set up.

For folk residing past pure gasoline service areas, propane tank set up makes full sense. Having your individual tank saves you from the surprising $15,000–$50,000 value of operating pure gasoline strains to rural properties, whereas propane home equipment run 30%–40% extra effectively than electrical variations.

A appropriately sized system cuts yearly heating payments by 10%–30% in comparison with electrical warmth, plus it retains your own home operating throughout energy outages (which occur greater than you’d like in rural areas).

The true query isn’t whether or not to get a propane tank however fairly what dimension and magnificence make sense on your scenario. If you happen to care about how your yard appears to be like, underground set up improves aesthetics however prices $500–$1,000 greater than seen setups. If you happen to’re watching your funds, above-ground tanks work simply as effectively at a lower cost.

Do not forget that these methods final many years — my cousin’s tank has been operating robust for 22 years with simply primary upkeep. This spreads the upfront value throughout a few years of dependable service. From speaking with dozens of rural owners, I can inform you that propane tank set up delivers distinctive worth, particularly for nation properties, trip properties, and anybody bored with paying ever-increasing electrical heating payments.