Propane heat is a major selling point when buying a home. As an affordable, cleaner alternative to oil, it’s the fuel of choice among a growing number of homeowners. Cheaper than electricity and more efficient than natural gas, propane heat is something you should look for when house hunting. That being said, buying a house with propane heat also brings a number of factors you might not have otherwise considered if you are accustomed to gas, oil or electric heat.
Here are 5 questions you should ask when buying a house with propane:
Propane is an incredibly versatile fuel. In the home, it is most commonly used for heating and powering certain appliances. Stoves, barbeques, water heaters, clothes dryers and more can all run off propane. If the home has only been recently converted to propane, however, not all appliances may be using it. When making an offer, consider whether or not you’ll need to upgrade the appliances to take full advantage of propane.
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Some homes own their propane tank outright, while others rent it from a fuel company. Both arrangements have pros and cons. With a propane tank that is owned outright, there is no need to worry about budgeting for monthly rental fees. You’ll also have more freedom to make long-term decisions about your home’s fuel use. The downside to this, however, is that purchasing a tank can be a significant cost up front, so that cost will definitely be factored into the asking price for the home.
On the other hand, the main advantage to renting a propane tank for your home is that you’re not responsible for the maintenance of the tank. If the unit ever needs repairs or replacing, it’s not an expense you will have to worry about. Most fuel companies will happily transfer over a tank rental agreement when the house is sold, though you may be given the option of buying it outright, too. If buying the tank is the option you choose, be sure to get documentation proving your ownership of the tank.
The larger your tank, the longer you can go before having a delivery scheduled. Home propane tanks range in size from 120 to over 1,000 gallons. Be sure to ask what size the tank is so that you know how often you’ll be in need of a refill.
Propane tanks can be either above or underground. Most rental tanks are above ground, as they are easier and cost less to install. Below-ground tanks, on the other hand, are more aesthetically pleasing and give you more room to enjoy your yard.
Like all home appliances, propane tanks require regular preventative maintenance to ensure they continue working their best. If you’re considering buying a house with propane gas but the owner can’t provide evidence that their tank has been serviced regularly, it could signal the potential for problems down the road. At the very least, be sure to have the unit inspected by a knowledgeable fuel expert.
Got any further questions about moving to a house with propane? Contact Foster Fuels or give us a call 800-344-6457 at today!
Cheaper than electricity and more efficient than natural gas, propane heat is something you should look for when house hunting.
Some homes own their propane tank outright, while others rent it from a fuel company. Both arrangements have pros and cons.
Propane is an incredibly versatile fuel. In the home, it is most commonly used for heating and powering certain appliances. Stoves, barbeques, water heaters, clothes dryers and more can all run off propane.
Propane is an incredibly versatile fuel. In the home, it is most commonly used for heating and powering certain appliances. Stoves, barbeques, water heaters, clothes dryers and more can all run off propane.
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We are looking at a new home with an above ground propane tank. I am glad to hear that they are so easily accessible. This will make refilling the tank much easier.
Glad to see you found our post helpful! Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.
Thanks for sharing these questions to ask about a home with propane heat. I definitely agree that it is important to know the specifications of the tank, especially if you will need deliveries. Depending on the size of the tank, you may need to have frequent propane deliveries to keep it running. Asking for maintenance records is also a great question since it can help you see whether the tank was kept in good condition.
How does propane heating compare to other common house heaters? I want to make sure that I look at all my options before I make a decision. We have a chance to put in a new heating system into my house, and I want to make sure it's a good fit for both the house and us.
It would be our pleasure to answer any questions you may have about propane home heating. Feel free to call us at 800-344-6457 or if you would like us to contact you directly, please go to our Contact Us to fill out your information and one of our representatives will contact you soon.
I was wondering this exact question. I am thinking about purchasing a house really soon, and I want to make sure I have a good propane heater. I feel like the size of the tank really matters. So based off of that, I will make sure I ask about the propane heater, and understand how big it is. Thanks a ton for the tips! They were a big help.
Last year my family and I moved to a new area. My dad wanted to make sure that we had a propane heater because he knew that it got really cold during the winter. Little did he know that the propane tank we had was very small and has to be replaced very often. What you would you recomend as the best size for a tank?
Hey Rachelle! Great question. Sounds like you would most likely need a 120 gallon tank but it would be better if we knew more about your specific situation to give you a solid recommendation. Feel free to call one of our experts at 800-344-6457 or visit our Contact Us page. Thanks!
I had no idea that propane had so many benefits of electricity and oil. Cleaner and cheaper are words that I am always looking for when buying a product. Knowing the tank size is a good tip for knowing when to refill, thanks for sharing that.
Thanks for sharing this advice on getting information about a property's propane tank. I definitely think your point on asking for maintenance records is really important. If you don't know how the tank has been treated, then you may be dealing with a machine that could break down soon. It might also be a good idea to ask about how they get propane for the tank-- it could help you get an idea of what you will have to do to keep it running.
Great point about the ownership of the home's propane tank. This seems like a big point for home buyers. I also thought your comment about the influence of the propane tank's size on the frequency of needed propane delivery. Thanks for the post!
I'm house hunting right now, and I've decided on two homes that I really like. One home has many appliances that run off of propane, and the other mostly runs off of electricity. When comparing the price of usage and maintenance, is propane powered or electricity powered more beneficial?
Hello, and thank you very much for having shared this information on houses that use propane. I agree, it is very important to know what the propane is being used for before buying the house. I think it's good to make sure the house is as safe as possible if you will be living in it yourself or renting it out.