Propane Tank Styles and Sizes: Which One Is Right for You?

Whether you’re converting a home for propane use, adding a source of supplemental heat to a home addition, or powering your new restaurant with propane gas, one of the most important questions you’ll need to answer is what type of type of propane tank you will need.

Here are some propane tank basics that will help you choose the right tank for your home or business.

Propane tank types

There are two basic types of aboveground propane tanks: horizontal propane tanks and vertical propane cylinders. Both are efficient and reliable, but the tank you choose will largely depend on how you will use your propane, and how much of the gas you will need.

• Horizontal propane tanks – Horizontal propane tanks are large, high-capacity containers typically used in homes and commercial sites where propane is the main source of heat. Their increased storage capacity reduces the need for winter propane deliveries, which can help in areas where weather is unpredictable. Horizontal tanks are typically painted white or green.
• Vertical propane cylinders – Vertical propane cylinders are typically used for intermittent applications. The benefit of these smaller tanks is that they can be placed right up to a building or near a property line, allowing them to be hidden out of sight. Most vertical propane cylinders are white.

Propane tank sizes

Propane tanks come in sizes ranging from 56 to 1000+ gallons. Some common propane tank sizes are:

• 100 pound (holds about 25 gallons of propane when full) – Common uses include home fireplaces, cooking, dryers, barbecues, commercial temporary heat on job sites.
• 420 pound (holds about 96 gallons of propane when filled to 80 percent) – Common uses include home space heating, hot water, dryers, fireplaces, generators, pool heat.
• 500 gallon (holds about 400 gallons of propane when filled to 80 percent) – Common uses include heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying and temporary heating. This tank size will be appropriate to heat most houses ranging from 1500 to 2500 square feet.
• 1000 gallon (holds about 800 gallons of propane when filled to 80 percent) – Common uses include whole home systems, home heating, generators, pool heat, commercial heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying and temporary heating. This tank size is appropriate to heat most houses ranging from 42500 square feet and up.

If you’re not sure what type or size of propane tank you need for your home or business, your best bet is to give us a call – whether you want to upgrade and existing tank, add a tank for a new home addition, or perform a whole house propane conversion, our experts will help you find a solution that meets your space, lifestyle, and budget needs.

Contact Murray-Heutz today to learn more about propane tank options for your Maine-area home or business!