Ask Me Help Desk - Propane Heating / One or Two Tanks Needed?

As some may have read previous queries from me concerning Propane Heating.. Like getting a 2nd Opinion from a Medical Doctor, we have gotten a 2nd quote on a Propane fired Furnace and the Installation Charges that are applied as well..

Regardless it's a separate deal with whomever we decide to go with for propane gas as per the location to place the Tank / Tanks.. The 1st lad that gave us a quote arranged for the Supplier to come do an Expection and Mark the tank placement.. Over the phone the supplier said he had us down for 2 Tanks ( Each Tank is 450 litre size ).. We have decided to go with the 2nd Quote as we got a more indepth quote and explanation.. Yes at some point down the line we are considering adding a Stove , and Fireplace, from the 2nd lad along with the supply line into the house he will put in 3 additional taps for such event.. Now my Query seeing as the original intent is for a Propane Furnace , sorry for the long dribble but 2nd lad said just one tank would be sufficient for the furnace if We were to hook a stove & fireplace up at the sametime a 2nd tank would be advisable.. Question would One Tank be sufficient for running a Propane Furnace throughout the Winter?

450 Litres (118 Gallons) isn't very big. How big is your house?
My tank is 4 times that size (500 gal) but I have a pretty big house (2800 sq' US). I use propane for heat only, not hot water, stove, fireplace, or anything else.
If I were to heat all of it (I don't) I would be getting a delivery every month in Jan, Feb, and March. By closing off half of my house, I can get down to 2 deliveries all season.

Propane is never filled more than 80% to allow for expansion.

Seems to me you need 2 tanks if you don't want deliveries every week, but only you know your house and personal needs. Not just size of house, but how well insulated it is and what temperature you will keep it at.
Can't you get one bigger tank?

Quote:

Originally Posted by joypulv

450 Litres (118 Gallons) isn't very big. How big is your house?
My tank is 4 times that size (500 gal) but I have a pretty big house (2800 sq' US). I use propane for heat only, not hot water, stove, fireplace, or anything else.
If I were to heat all of it (I don't) I would be getting a delivery every month in Jan, Feb, and March. By closing off half of my house, I can get down to 2 deliveries all season.

Propane is never filled more than 80% to allow for expansion.

Seems to me you need 2 tanks if you don't want deliveries every week, but only you know your house and personal needs. Not just size of house, but how well insulated it is and what temperature you will keep it at.
Can't you get one bigger tank?

The Tank stands about 4ft. High (not a Horizontal Tank) You can't touch your fingers while hugging it.. lol.. Our house is 938 sq ft... My neighbour burns propane , he has 3 items drawing from 1 tank.. Stove, Hot Water Tank, Fireplace which is backup.. Their main source of heat is wood.. But I've noticed the Propane Truck backing into their Laneway once a month at the peek of winter..

I assume that the gas supplier will own the tanks? Most do, but about a 1/4 to a 1/3 own them where I am. They are expensive (500 gal runs around $2000, plus you are responsible for any gauges and things that go wrong), but you get to order gas from anyone you want as prices change. My supplier charges about .30 more per gallon for those who have one of their tanks.

Lots of people just don't want to see more than 1 tank out in their yard.
Sounds to me that you can get away with 1, as you think.
But a lot depends on the supplier's willingness to do frequent deliveries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joypulv

I assume that the gas supplier will own the tanks?
Lots of people just don't want to see more than 1 tank out in their yard.
Sounds to me that you can get away with 1, as you think.
But a lot depends on the supplier's willingness to do frequent deliveries.

Yep , Your closing remark says it all.. After last Winter's Hiccup on Propane Gas supply.. They don't want the Client to run short.. Rental for each tank is $48.00 for the year... And like the old saying "Once Bitten,Twice Shy".. Considering the Wife may want to replace the Electric Stove for a Propane Stove sooner than later as she talks of all the Plus sides of cooking with gas... lol...

By the way.. Seems the result of the so called Shortage of Propane to be had was Supplier Error.. They didn't properly allow for Reserves , Top Up at the end of the Winter Season if you will.. lol..