FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Although propane prices fluctuate with the market, propane can represent a significant savings over the cost of electricity. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it could cost up to twice as much to operate your range, water heater, dryer or furnace with electricity.

In addition to the cost savings, propane enjoys an unusually high comfort value.  Propane gas furnaces and heaters provide faster, more consistent warm air throughout your home and have a longer average life span of 20 years vs. the 12-year average life span of an electric heat pump.

Gas water heaters heat water faster, recover faster and have a significantly longer lifespan than electric water heaters.

When cooking with gas, it is really hard to beat propane’s even temperature and immediate heat!

Small propane cylinders such as the ones used on gas grills or RVs are usually owned by the consumer. These cylinders are portable and normally taken to be refilled at a propane refilling station or can be exchanged at a propane cylinder exchange cabinet.

Most large stationary tanks are owned by the propane company that provides service to the property and are leased or on loan to the customer. It is illegal for propane to be put into or taken out of a propane tank without the tank owner’s permission. The propane company is responsible for maintaining their tank.

Customers who own their propane tanks are responsible for tank and gas system maintenance to ensure the tank’s continued suitability for storing propane safely. Tank owners can elect not to contract with any one supplier and have the opportunity to purchase propane from different companies if they choose. However, if a shortage of propane occurs, they may have difficulty finding a supplier with available product.

Propane suppliers operate in a very competitive marketplace and prices may vary from one company to another.

In addition, propane companies can offer many services and programs to their customers. At times, the cost of some of these services and programs may be included in the price of the propane. Full-service propane providers will normally be slightly more expensive than companies that provide limited or no additional services or programs.

Some companies may not include the cost of services and programs in the price of the propane, but may have add-on costs for these options. These costs may be in the form of tank lease fees, minimum usage fees, refund policy, delivery charges, penalties for exiting a contract, etc. It is up to each consumer to take the time to educate themselves as to the options and charges offered by each propane company they are considering.

As you can see, the price of the propane is only one step in evaluating a propane company.

It is a common practice for most gas companies to request a credit application from customers or potential customers. If credit is approved, credit limits are generally one gas delivery, which means the previous delivery must be paid before another delivery is made. You will have a variety of payment options including budget billing pay-as-you-go monthly billing and auto-debit. Applicants whose credit has not been approved will be required to pay cash on delivery.