PROPANE GUIDE
Getting propane. The real cost math.
Three ways to buy propane, three different price points, and one common trap that costs you 25% of your fuel before you leave the parking lot.
THREE OPTIONS
Refill, exchange, or delivery. Each has a place.
Most households start with exchange because it requires zero thought. Understanding the alternatives saves money and gives you more fuel per dollar, which matters when you are building a preparedness reserve.
BEST VALUE
Dealer refill
Drive your own cylinder to a propane dealer. They weigh it, fill it to 20 pounds (the actual rated capacity), and charge you by the gallon. You keep your own tank. You get the full fill. You pay the lowest per-pound cost.
- Full 20 lbs per cylinder
- Typically $3 to $4 per gallon
- Dealer checks collar date and condition
- Can purge new tanks on site
MOST CONVENIENT
Cylinder exchange
Swap your empty cylinder for a pre-filled one at a hardware store, gas station, or grocery. Fast and available everywhere. The tradeoff: exchange services fill to 15 pounds, not 20, and charge a premium per pound.
- 15 lbs per cylinder (not 20)
- Typically $20 to $35 per exchange
- No wait; grab and go
- Cylinders are inspected before reuse
ASME TANKS
Bulk delivery
A propane truck comes to your property and fills your ASME tank through the fill valve. The standard method for 120-gallon and larger stationary tanks. Pricing is per gallon, often with volume discounts and seasonal variation.
- Filled to 80% by the driver
- Will-call or automatic scheduling
- May require minimum delivery
- Seasonal pricing applies
THE REAL COST
What you actually pay per pound. The math exchange services do not advertise.
Dealer refill math
At $3.50 per gallon (a typical mid-range dealer price), a full 20-pound fill costs about $16.50 for 4.7 gallons of propane.
4.7 gallons × $3.50/gal = $16.45
20 lbs of propane
Cost per pound: $0.82/lb
Exchange math
At $25 per exchange (a common retail price), you get 15 pounds of propane, which is about 3.5 gallons.
$25.00 for 15 lbs (3.5 gallons)
Effective price: $7.14/gal
Cost per pound: $1.67/lb
The bottom line
In this example, exchange propane costs about twice as much per pound as a dealer refill. The exact ratio depends on local pricing, but the pattern holds nearly everywhere: exchange is a convenience premium, and it is a large one.
If you maintain four cylinders for emergency backup, the difference between filling them at a dealer versus exchanging them adds up to $30 to $50 per rotation. Over several years of seasonal rotations, that is real money.
Exchange makes sense when you need propane right now and there is no dealer nearby, or when your cylinder is expired and you want to trade it for a current one. For routine refills and emergency stockpiling, a dealer refill is the better value.
BULK DELIVERY
ASME tank delivery. Will-call vs. automatic.
Will-call delivery
You monitor your tank gauge and call the supplier when you need a fill. The supplier delivers within their normal scheduling window, typically a few days to a week depending on the season.
Advantages: You control the timing. You can shop between suppliers for the best per-gallon price on each delivery. You are not locked into one company's pricing.
Risk: If you forget to check the gauge and run out, emergency or rush deliveries cost more, and some suppliers charge a truck-roll fee for off-schedule fills.
Automatic delivery
The supplier estimates your usage based on degree-day calculations (heating demand adjusted for weather) and delivers before you run low. You never call, never check the gauge, and never run out.
Advantages: Zero monitoring required. No risk of running out mid-winter. Some suppliers offer a small per-gallon discount for automatic customers.
Tradeoff: You are typically locked into one supplier's pricing. The supplier decides when to deliver, which means you cannot time purchases to seasonal lows.
Supplier contract terms to ask about
Before committing to a propane supplier, especially if you are leasing an ASME tank from them, ask about these terms. They vary significantly between companies and between regions.
Lease fee: Annual or monthly charge for the tank. Some suppliers waive it; others charge $50 to $150 per year.
Minimum delivery: Many suppliers require a minimum gallon amount per delivery (commonly 100 to 150 gallons) or charge a small-delivery surcharge.
Price lock or cap programs: Some suppliers offer fixed-price or price-cap contracts for the heating season. These protect you from winter price spikes but may cost slightly more than the summer spot price.
Contract length and exit terms: Know the minimum contract period and what happens if you switch suppliers. Some contracts require you to buy the leased tank at market price or pay a removal fee.
Hazmat and environmental fees: Small line-item charges that add to the per-gallon cost. Ask for the all-in price, not just the propane rate.
Emergency delivery surcharge: What it costs if you run out and need an off-schedule fill. This is the fee that makes will-call customers set calendar reminders.
SAVING MONEY
Practical ways to pay less. Most of them take five minutes.
Buy in the off-season
Propane prices follow heating demand. Prices are typically lowest from May through August when suppliers are restocking and competition for customers is highest. Fill your ASME tank and top off your DOT cylinders in late summer. The price difference between a July fill and a January fill can be $0.50 to $1.00 per gallon or more, depending on your region and the winter's severity.
Find a local dealer
Search for "propane refill near me" or check with local farm supply stores, RV dealers, and welding supply shops. Many of these fill DOT cylinders as a side service, often at prices lower than dedicated propane retailers. Co-ops and farm supply chains are particularly competitive. The dealer may be a 15-minute drive instead of the exchange cage at the grocery store, but the savings on four cylinders pays for the gas.
Own your ASME tank
If you plan to stay in your home long-term, purchasing your ASME tank outright (typically $800 to $2,500 depending on size and whether above-ground or underground) eliminates the lease fee and frees you to get fills from any licensed propane delivery company. Over 10 years, the savings on per-gallon pricing flexibility usually exceed the purchase cost. Used tanks in good condition are sometimes available from propane suppliers or through classified ads.
Switch to refillable 1-lb canisters
Disposable 1-pound canisters cost $3 to $5 each and go straight to the landfill. Refillable 1-pound cylinders (like those made by Flame King) cost $15 to $20 each, connect to a standard 20-pound cylinder with an adapter, and refill in about 60 seconds. After a few refills, they have paid for themselves. If you use camp stoves, lanterns, or portable heaters regularly, this is one of the easiest savings available.
Do not refill disposable canisters
Adapter kits that let you refill standard disposable 1-pound canisters from a 20-pound cylinder are widely sold online. The canisters are not designed for it. They lack OPD valves, are not rated for repeated pressurization cycles, and the thin steel can fatigue and fail. A purpose-built refillable cylinder from a reputable manufacturer costs a few dollars more and eliminates the risk. The savings from refilling disposable canisters are not worth the safety tradeoff.
FINDING A DEALER
Where to get propane filled. More options than you think.
Places that refill DOT cylinders
Propane dealers and distributors: The primary source. Dedicated propane companies with fill stations. Typically the best per-gallon price and the most knowledgeable staff.
Farm supply stores: Tractor Supply Co., Southern States, and similar chains often have propane fill stations. Competitive pricing. Some offer loyalty discounts.
RV dealers and campgrounds: Many RV dealerships and campgrounds with full hookups refill propane cylinders. Common in areas with a strong camping culture.
Hardware and building supply: Some hardware stores (particularly independent ones) and lumber yards offer refills alongside exchange. Ask at the service desk.
Welding supply shops: These handle compressed gases daily and many offer propane refills as a standard service.
Gas stations with propane service: Some gas stations, particularly in rural areas, have dedicated propane refill pumps separate from the exchange cages out front.
What to bring and what to expect
Bring your cylinder with the valve closed and a cap on the outlet if you have one. The attendant will check the collar for the manufacture date (or most recent requalification date) and the OPD marking. If the date has expired, the cylinder cannot be refilled until requalified. If the cylinder predates OPD requirements (round or star-shaped handwheel), it cannot be refilled at all.
If the tank is brand new and has never been filled, tell the attendant. They will purge it before the first fill. Purging is typically free.
A typical refill takes about five minutes. You pay by the gallon for the propane dispensed. Some dealers have a small minimum-fill charge. Most accept credit cards at the pump.
Propane guides
Continue exploring
Propane Hub
The complete guide to propane for household energy. Start here for the overview.
Tank Types and Sizes
DOT cylinders vs. ASME tanks, OPD valves, and choosing the right size.
How Long Propane Lasts
BTU formula, runtime table, and calculating your household fuel needs.
Storage and Safety
NFPA 58 distances, leak detection, CO prevention, and fire safety.
Regulators and Connections
Regulator types, changeover valves, and natural gas conversion.
Propane Appliances
Every appliance propane can power, from cooking to generators to lighting.