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Is it Cheaper to Refill Propane or Exchange?
A common question regarding propane is: Is it cheaper to refill or exchange it? Filling often allows you to pay only for the propane you use, while an exchange involves trading your empty tank for a full one at a set price. We will thoroughly explore both options to help you determine which is the most cost-effective solution for your propane needs.
- Refilling Propane is cost-effective and pays for exact usage.
- Exchanging may cost around $20.00 for the same tank.
- Refilling promotes eco-friendliness by reusing propane tanks.
- Convenience is a factor; exchanges are more accessible.
- Refilling may require a trip to specific refill stations.
- Some exchanges provide tanks filled only to 80% capacity.
Should you go for a propane refill or exchange your empty tank for a new one? That’s a million-dollar question. Well, fear not because you will learn everything you need to know in this post so that every dollar spent is not in vain.
Customers can choose one of the following: either refill their propane tank or exchange it. Both scenarios come with a set of advantages and disadvantages.
People choose a convenient method, but if we’re talking about money, I’d recommend refilling as I find it cheaper.
What’s Refilling and Exchanging
Refilling
But, you take your propane tank to your local gas station, and a professional fills it up. The customer decides and pays for the lbs of propane they want.
Refilling tanks is a traditional method that’s been taking place for decades until a new option, exchanging, was introduced.
Exchanging
Exchanging is a fast and convenient method. All you have to do is exchange your empty tank with a full one. It’s not time-consuming, and some companies also offer home delivery/exchange services.
Although exchanging has benefits, refilling will save you a few bucks.
Propane tanks come in different sizes, but I’ll discuss a standard 20-lb one in this post.
Why Go for Refilling
Now, I’ll explain why I recommend refilling propane tanks rather than exchanging them.
Paying the Actual Amount
You pay for the quantity of propane that you require, whether it’s a half tank or a full one.
You can walk home with a full tank of 20 lbs of propane rather than 15 lbs. It will last you longer, so there will be fewer trips to the gas station.
Refilling is Safe and Convenient
Propane tanks come in different sizes. There is a possibility that the size you carry might not be available in the store. So, exchanging your tank would be impossible.
Refilling is also safe as stores tend to inspect the expiration date and check for any leaks in the tank before they fill it up.
Although refilling seems like a good deal, there are some things that you need to keep in mind.
Disadvantages of Refilling
Below, you’ll find some cons.
Certification
Firstly, check whether your tank is certified or not. A tank will last you from somewhere between 5 to 6 years of its production date. Most gas stations refuse to fill up an expired tank.
If you encounter this problem, you can quickly exchange your tank.
You can also get your tank recertified by contacting the dealers, but that’s time-consuming, expensive, and not worth it.
Moreover, leaks may take place if the tanks are not adequately maintained.
Time-consuming
Refilling your tank is a time-consuming process.
It is dangerous for one to do it by themselves, so you must wait for a professional. You may even come across a long queue.
This makes it a little inconvenient, but ultimately, you are saving bucks, so the problems mentioned earlier might not bother you.
Why Go for Exchanging
Whether it’s cheaper to refill propane or exchange, the answer is that refilling will get you your money’s worth. However, exchanging is not as bad as it seems, and it’s okay if you prefer to go down that road.
Process is Fast
It’s easier to find more tank exchanging locations than refilling ones. Along with your nearest gas station or convenience store, chain supermarkets like Walmart and Home Depot offer propane tank exchange services.
Going an extra yard, some companies, like Propane Taxi and Forklift Propane Exchange, offer home delivery services, making it easier and more convenient.
Tanks are Certified
When you exchange the propane tanks, they are always certified, reliable, tested, and safe. You are guaranteed no leaks; even if they take place, you can contact the vendors and demand damage control.
Disadvantages of Exchanging
Below, you’ll find some cons of exchanging propane.
You End up Paying More
Think about this: your propane tank is almost empty but has around 5 lbs left, so you decide to exchange it. That seems probable, but what about the bit of propane left in the tank?
Ultimately, you’re paying for a full tank, which is around $18.47, even though you could have gotten it fully refilled for just under $13.76.
You Do Not Receive a Full Tank
Another disadvantage of exchanging is that companies do not fill their tanks to 20 lbs. They underfill it to 15 kg and claim it’s a ‘full’ tank.
Companies have come up with this policy simply because of safety measures. However, this is marketing propaganda that claims that after being filled with 20 lbs of propane, the tank is left with 20% vapor space.
So this way, not only are you paying for a full tank even if you don’t require one, you’re paying more for a lesser quantity.
Companies implemented this policy when a sudden gas price hike occurred years ago. They reduced the quantity of propane and tricked their customers into thinking they were receiving a ‘full’ tank.
Even after gas prices were stabilized, these companies continued the same practice as no one wanted to lose its profit margin.
How do you figure out how much propane is left?
Below, you’ll find some methods to weigh your propane so that you can refill or exchange it accurately.
Weighing Machine
Check your propane tank’s tare weight (unladen weight). It probably weighs around 17 lbs when empty.
To determine the propane amount, weigh the tank and subtract it from the tare weight. For example, if the total weight is 25 lbs, the propane left is 8 lbs.
This method is not 100% accurate but will give you a reasonable estimate.
Gauge
This is a bit pricey option, but if you regularly use propane tanks, spending a few dollars on this might be worth it.
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Digital scale
The digital propane tank scale is a modern one. All you need to do is hook this gauge up to your tank, and it’ll continuously update the amount of propane used.
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Inline pressure gauge
You position it between the gas line and the cut-off valve on the tank. It estimates the pressure in the tank, so it relays whether it’s complete, half, or empty.
Hot Water Method
This method is not accurate at all. You can roughly estimate the amount of propane left in your tank.
Pour hot water down the tank and run your finger along it. The cold spots on the bottom of the tank indicate propane as it absorbs the heat.
The warm cut-off above the propane tells how empty the tank is.
How Can I Tell if a Propane Tank is Expired?
To ascertain whether a propane tank has expired, careful inspection is required. “How can I tell if a propane tank is expired?” you may ask. Well, the answer lies in the handle area or collar of the tank.
These sections typically display vital information, including the manufacture date or the most recent recertification date.
If the date mentioned exceeds ten years, it indicates that your tank may be expired. In some cases, tanks may be recertified to extend their lifespan. However, seeking professional help in case of doubts is crucial to ensure safety and efficiency.
Final Words
In conclusion, the question is – Is it Cheaper to Refill Propane or Exchange? – is not simply about cost but also convenience and environmental sustainability factors.
From a purely financial perspective, refilling propane is more cost-effective as it allows the user to pay for precisely the amount of propane used.
Additionally, refilling promotes eco-friendliness by reusing propane tanks, which helps reduce waste.
On the other hand, exchanging a propane tank might cost around $20.00 for the same tank and may not always provide total capacity, with some exchanges only filling tanks to 80%.
However, exchanges generally offer more convenience as they are more readily accessible than specific refill stations, which might require a memorable trip.
Therefore, while refilling might be cheaper and environmentally friendly, exchanges offer greater accessibility. Each user must evaluate these factors based on their individual needs and preferences.
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