New vs. Used Propane Tanks: Which Should You Buy?
Used propane tanks cost dramatically less – a 500-gallon starts at $820 used versus up to $2,420 new, and a 1,000-gallon at $950 scrapped versus $5,300 new underground. The trade is inspection responsibility: check the data plate, ASME stamp, valves, foot ring, and corrosion before buying, and treat an unreadable data plate as an automatic no. A supplier can refuse to fill a tank they judge unsafe. Choose new for underground installs, long horizons, and warranty coverage.
Should You Buy or Rent a Propane Tank? (Pros, Cons & Cost)
Renting a propane tank keeps your upfront cost low, but the supplier owns the vessel and only they can fill it, so you lose the ability to shop fuel prices. Owning costs more at purchase and adds maintenance and inspection responsibility, yet it lets you take quotes from any supplier. In a worked example with clearly labeled assumptions, ownership broke even around year seven. Run the same math with your own local fuel quotes and usage.
How Much Does a Propane Tank Cost in 2026?
Propane tank purchase prices currently run from $199 for a 100 lb cylinder to $35,000 for a bulk skid tank, with the common 500 gallon residential size listed at $820 used to $2,420 new underground, plus $350 flat freight. The tank is often less than half the total: site prep, gas line, permits, and the first fill add substantially, and those costs are entirely local. Get quotes from licensed propane professionals in your area, and expect ownership to beat renting somewhere around year five to seven.
What Size Propane Tank Do I Need? (Complete 2026 Guide)
Sizing a propane tank is arithmetic, not guesswork: add up your appliance BTU ratings, divide annual BTU by 91,500 to get gallons per year, then remember tanks fill to only 80 percent of capacity, so a 500 gallon tank holds about 400. Most homes heating with propane land on a 500 gallon tank in moderate climates and 1,000 gallons in cold ones. Add margin for a standby generator, and check NFPA 58 setbacks before you pick a location.