PepUp has been installing propane tanks on Delmarva since 1963. We hear lots of questions about where to put a new propane tank. When it comes to safety, the ideal location for your home propane tank depends on the size of the tank and a few key considerations regarding buildings and property lines.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements state that propane tanks that hold more than 100 gallons be set at least 10 feet away from buildings, appliances (including generators), and property lines. That’s the minimum setback for 250- to 500-gallon tanks, which are the most common large tank sizes for residential propane service in Delaware and Maryland.

Sometimes, homeowners choose 1,000-gallon propane tanks. When those larger tanks are set above ground, they are often required to be 25 feet from any structures or property lines.

Underground tanks, regardless of size, require a 10-foot setback. They must be buried at minimum depths and with specific hole sizes, depending on the size of the tank. See all the State of Delaware Requirements for Underground Storage Tank Systems if you’re unsure about the regulations that apply to your underground propane tank.

You can locate your propane tank near your driveway to make it easier to fill and check levels. The tank needs to be at least 5 feet from your driveway, and no more than 80 feet from where the propane delivery truck will need to park for refills.

While concrete isn’t a requirement for residential propane tanks, it does provide the firm, level surface required for an above-ground installation. Underground tanks may have their feet encased in concrete footings to eliminate “tank floating,” so be sure you ask your propane installer how they’ll be securing your tank in its permanent location.

Many PepUp customers with larger propane tanks appreciate the curb appeal of underground installations. Tanks are buried with just a few inches of the top of the dome visible for easy access and filling.

Propane tanks require open space directly above them to allow for venting. For above-ground tanks, that safety rule is one that limits how much a tank can be hidden. They shouldn’t be enclosed in a structure, but decorative fencing and plantings that still allow 360-degree access to the tank for inspections can work nicely to improve a tank’s appearance in your yard and even help shelter your propane system from the effects of harsh winter weather and excessive summer heat.

PepUp Energy Specialists understand homeowner concerns and want to make sure your propane tank is set in just the right location for safety and accessibility. Contact us to talk through your concerns and questions. We’ll help you find just the right spot for your tank, then send out our expert installation team to get the job done right.

Propane gas is a popular fuel for the primary heating of homes in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and all over the PepUp service area. Our local propane delivery and service customers rely on our experienced team to keep their propane tanks from running out using our Automatic Delivery Service and “No Run Out” Guarantee.

Even when we’re making sure your propane tank doesn’t run out, it’s helpful to understand how much propane your home will use in a year. If you’re considering adding propane heating to your existing home, building a home and using propane heat and appliances, or even just budgeting for a relentlessly wet and cold Mid-Atlantic winter, PepUp is here to help. We’ve put together a few tips, a formula, and even a handy calculator tool for figuring up your home’s propane gas needs.

You may see or hear propane referred to as propane gas or LPG: Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LPG is usually a mixture of propane gas and butane, two liquid natural gas products that are mixed to deliver clean-burning and efficient fuel to meet home heating, cooking, and comfort needs.

Propane gas is compressed and stored as a liquid in tanks outside the home. Tanks usually range in size from 100 gallons to 1000 gallons, and can be placed above ground or below ground. The colorless, non-toxic propane is piped into the home. Propane is naturally almost odorless, so for safety, an odor is added to alert people to propane leaks, which can present a fire hazard if not addressed quickly.

Anytime you suspect a propane leak, call PepUp 24/7 for emergency propane service.

The amount of propane gas your home will use in a year depends on six (6) primary factors:

1. What appliances use propane in your home
2. The efficiency of those appliances
3. The number of annual heating degree days (below 65 degrees) in your area
4. Your home’s size and efficiency factors like insulation R-value
5. The number of people living in your home
6. Where you like to set the thermostat in the winter

Let’s break these factors down even further so you can take inventory of your home propane needs.

Propane usage depends on the number of BTUs (British Thermal Units) you’ll need to power your home’s furnace and appliances. Propane gas provides 91,547 BTUs per gallon. Each of your propane appliances is labeled with an “input” BTUh (BTUs per hour) that can help you estimate propane usage for every hour that the appliance is running.

Did you know? Every new PepUp customer works with our Energy Specialists to determine their unique home propane needs. Hit the easy button and schedule a call to learn about your home’s propane needs.

Use the steps below for a more accurate calculation of your home’s energy needs, in gallons of propane, each year. Or, skip ahead to use our calculator that can provide you with a rough estimate of your home’s energy needs each month, based on standard appliance energy usage.

If you’d rather work with a professional to determine your home’s energy needs, speak with a PepUp Energy Specialist about the average home propane use we see in the local area, or the estimate you determined by using the calculator. The details can come later, but knowing what size tank you’ll need and how often you’ll need propane delivered will help you plan for your energy budget and get your home propane addition or conversion project underway. Any questions? Just ask PepUp!