Different types of propane tanks serve different purposes around the home.
From keeping your home warm to powering your backyard BBQ, keep reading to learn about the various types of propane tanks you might need.
20 Pound Propane Tanks
These are perhaps the most common types of propane tanks found around residential properties. While you won’t use these to heat your home or power your interior stove, 20-pound propane tanks are commonly used for a variety of outdoor appliances and tools.
For instance, your backyard BBQ likely uses a 20-pound propane tank. Mosquito catchers and patio heaters also commonly use this size of tank.
When you need to refill your propane tank, you won’t do so at your home. Instead, these small tanks are often exchanged for full ones at retailers. Many grocery stores and hardware stores, and even some gas stations, exchange these tanks for a fee.
100 Pound Propane Tanks
Another common type of home propane tanks are 100-pound tanks. This propane tank size is also largely used to power smaller household appliances. This includes home gas fireplaces, dryers, and large outdoor grills.
Unlike 20-pound propane tanks, which are often attached directly to the appliance, 100-pound tanks are often connected via a long gas line to the appliance.
Like smaller tanks, these types of tanks are usually taken to a retailer for an exchange when they are empty.
One drawback to 100 pound propane tanks is that they don’t have a remaining amount gauge. This means that you can’t tell for certain how much propane you have left in your tank.
To avoid running out of gas in the middle of cooking a meal or on a cold night, most homeowners set up a dual tank system, connected via a change-over regulator. This regulator automatically switches the line to the other tank when one runs empty.
420 Pound Propane Tanks
Also known as 100-gallon tanks, these larger tanks are usually around 4 feet tall by 3 feet wide. As the name suggests, they hold around 100 gallons of gas at 80 precent capacity.
Similar to 100-pound propane tanks, 420-pound tanks are used for home heating, hot water heaters, indoor fireplaces, dryers, and even pool heaters.
Because of their larger size, 420-pound propane tanks do have some restrictions on where they can be placed. They must be placed at least 5 feet away from a door or window leading into a building. You can only place up to 4 420 pound tanks next to one another. If you need more propane than that, you’ll need to opt for a larger tank.
500 Gallon Propane Tanks
For homes that run on propane for heat, power, and other uses, a larger tank is a must. Different types of propane tanks are designed for smaller applications. But for this amount of use, a 500-gallon propane tank is a better choice.
Often standing around 3 feet tall and 10 feet wide, these tanks come in either above-ground or underground versions. This size tank is designed to power a home that’s between 2,500 and 4,500 square feet. Choosing the right propane tank size for your home will ensure that you have enough propane to stay warm, cool, and connected.
These tanks must be placed at least 10 feet away from a building.
1000 Gallon Propane Tanks
For homes larger than 4,500 square feet, 1000 gallon propane tanks are a must. These tanks can power heating, power, and other applications in larger homes.
Like 500 gallon tanks, these can be placed above or below ground and must be a minimum of 10 feet away from a home.
Choosing the Right Types of Propane Tanks
Choosing the right types of propane tanks for various uses around your home is a must.
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