I am looking at houses out in the country which are primarily beyond the reach of natural gas mains. Unfortunately I am addicted to cooking (on high end gas stoves) and gas fireplaces and want to install a tank on the property for these purposes. Any suggestions and/or warnings would be greatly appreciated.
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I'm not an expert but have a little experience with LPG systems. Shop around a lot for suppliers. Compare the prices of the propane and tank rental fees and also the delivery schedules for refills. Some outfits offer a low price at first to get you locked in then gouge on delivery and tank fees.
Ask a lot of questions and read the fine print. You can get some price break by signing a long term contract but its a gamble and prices are very volatile. Top off the tanks in the summer when prices are low and get a big enough tank to last for most of the winter. If not, be prepared to be gouged for a Jan. refill.
Propane is heavier than air, so put the tank downhill/downwind of the house. If you have a leak, you want the stuff going away from you. There are areas not very far from LA where everything's on propane. Cooking on it is just like using natural gas from the utility. The only thing is that all your appliances need to be set up for propane instead of methane.
-- J.S.
I have a 500 gal LP tank buried near my house. I would recommend burying the tank for several reasons, not the least of which is the eyesore. The temperature and there for the guagae readings will be more consistant and there will be no exposed lines to be damaged.
Buy, do not rent or lease or borrow, the tank. When you own the tank, you can buy from any supplier at any time (contracts excluded) but if you get a "deal" where one supplier "loans" you teh tank, you typically have to buy from only that supplier.
Also, look into a supplier that will offere a contracted rate for the heating season. Typically, when purchased in full during the late summer, you get a significant discount and even if you pay as go (with a minimum deposit, like 10% down) you lock in on a rate for the volume of the contract.