How many months will a 500 gallon propane tank last?
A 500-gallon tank holds 400 gallons of propane and can last several months, ranging between 2 to 14 months. On average, homeowners can expect that the tank will last around 5 months with regular use of appliances.
Generally speaking, a 500-gallon propane tank can last the average American household anywhere from two months to eight months. The number varies depending on elements like: House size: Larger homes require more heating, so they'll consume propane faster than smaller homes.
Propane tanks last many years. But for those that you take to be refilled, they must be no older than 12 years from the date of manufacture.
How much does it cost to fill a 500-gallon tank of propane? It costs anywhere from $600 to $1,600 to fill a 500-gallon propane tank. Keep in mind that tanks can only hold up to 80% capacity due to the propane expanding when temperatures increase.
| Number of people in household | Monthly Propane Usage |
|---|---|
| 2 people | 10-15 gallons per month |
| 4 people | 25 gallons per month |
| 5 + people | 30+ gallons per month |
The Average Lifespan of a 500-Gallon Propane Tank
Dividing this number by 400 gallons (a “full” propane tank should only contain roughly 80% of its total capacity) comes out to just over three fills per year.
Propane Usage Based on Household Square Footage
2,000 square feet will consume up to 900 gallons on an annual basis. With 3,000 square feet or more, you can expect to use 1300+ gallons or more per year.
Propane tanks of 100 pounds capacity or less have an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture. Once those 12 years are up, you can either exchange the tank for a replacement, or have it inspected for requalification for an additional five years of use.
No, it will not. Unlike fuel sources that can degrade over time (kerosene, diesel, gasoline), propane fuel has no expiration date, nor will its potency suffer while being stored. The only thing you need to worry about when storing propane is maintaining the health and integrity of the propane storage tank.
Corrosion and Physical Damage:
Inspect your propane tank regularly for signs of corrosion or physical damage. Look for issues like rust spots, or discoloration on the tank's surface, as well as dents, cracks, or other visible damage that may affect the tank's integrity.
Is propane or electric cheaper?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating a home in the U.S. with a propane heating system costs far less than heating with an electric system. In addition, over time, propane water heaters can cost one-third less to operate and heat water twice as quickly as electric water heaters.
However, a general rule of thumb is to place the tank at least 10 feet away from the house. It's important to consult with local authorities and professionals to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
What is the size of your home? For homes over 2,500 square feet using propane for heating and running multiple appliances, a 500-gallon tank would be the best choice. If your home exceeds 4,500 square feet, you should choose the 1000-gallon tank, but only if you have enough outdoor space to store it.
A 500-gallon tank holds 400 gallons of propane and can last several months, ranging between 2 to 14 months. On average, homeowners can expect that the tank will last around 5 months with regular use of appliances.
The answer to this isn't as straightforward as you might think. Propane is more expensive than natural gas but natural gas burns much faster than propane. In fact, it burns at a rate of two to one. This means that to heat two spaces of the same size, you'll use twice as much natural gas than propane.
- Pool Heater – 425,000 BTU/hour or 4 gallons/hour.
- HVAC Furnace – 200,000 BTU/hour or 1 gallon/hour.
- Fireplace with ceramic logs – 26,000 BTU/hour or 1 gallon every three hours.
- Gas cooktop/range – 65,000 BTU/hour or 5 to 10 gallons per month.
A standard 500-gallon tank holds 400 gallons of propane and is generally installed for central heating and small commercial applications. Each tank is 9' 11” long and 37½” in diameter. The recommended minimum pouring pad size: 5 x 12 feet, 6” deep.
Uses: Primarily used for home heating or homes with 2-3 propane appliances such as supplemental or space heaters, hot water heaters, and generators. A 500 gallon propane tank holds 400 gallons of propane when full.
Typically, it is located at the top of your propane tank next to the fill pipe. The numbers on the gauge range from 5-95. These numbers indicate the percentage of how much your tank is filled – NOT the number of gallons left in the tank. Good to note: propane tanks are designed to be filled to 80% of capacity.
A propane tank less than 125 gallons can be placed adjacent to the house, while larger tanks must be at least 10' away. This means the tank can be more easily disguised by planting a bush or tree in front of it, making the tank placement more visually inconspicuous. A 125 gallon tank is 4' tall and 3' diameter.
Can you put a 250 gallon propane tank next to a house?
For 125- to 500-gallon propane tanks, the distance is at least 10 feet – from any building and from any property line. Same with underground propane tanks that hold up to 2,000 gallons: The minimum distance, from either a building or a property line, is 10 feet.
Propane Usage Based on Household Square Footage
1,500 square feet will use an average of 670 gallons each year. 2,000 square feet will consume up to 900 gallons on an annual basis. With 3,000 square feet or more, you can expect to use 1300+ gallons or more per year.
Unlike diesel's one-year shelf life and gasoline's three- to six-month shelf life, propane can be stored indefinitely so it is highly effective and convenient for both residential and commercial sectors, and the ideal partner in emergency preparedness plans.
The easiest way to check your propane tank's expiration is to look at the handle area or collar of the tank. Those sections usually list the manufacture date or most recent recertification date for that propane tank.
Under federal law, propane tanks - also called cylinders - can't be more than 12 years old. At that point, an LPG tank can no longer be refilled or reused, and should be disposed of in a proper and safe manner. Just like all things in life, time has a way of taking its toll.
