Tank Chart

Choosing a heat source for your home can sometimes be overwhelming. There are a number of options to choose from, including natural gas, oil, wood, electric, and, of course, propane. But given the rising cost of oil and the limited availability of natural gas, many people are making the switch to propane, one of the most cost economically efficient options to choose from.

Guide to Propane Tank Sizes

Whether heating your home, running a business, or powering appliances, propane can help you! While we love propane because it’s exceptionally versatile and efficient, it can be challenging to understand what propane tank size fits your needs. Tank sizes range from small, portable containers to huge tanks that can hold over 1,000 gallons. You can rest assured that whatever your propane use, GasTec has the tank size to help! From standard propane tank sizes to 30,000-gallon tanks, our team has the experience and knowledge to assist you through the entire selection process.

Which Propane Tank Is Right for You?

Your propane tank size will depend on several factors. When sizing your tank, you’ll need the answer to these questions:

  • What do you plan to use your propane for?
  • Where do you want your propane tank located?
  • How big is your home or business? 

 

Once you have these answers, the experts at GasTec can help you choose the right tank size. From standard propane tank sizes that power a grill to large tanks that heat a home, we can help with all your needs. Our technicians serve homes and businesses throughout the New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas with the most reliable propane services. Review our guide to propane tank sizes below for more information. It’s vital to remember that your propane tank can only be filled to 80%, no matter what size tank you select to allow room for expansion.

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GasTec Propane Tanks

20-POUND PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses: Home barbecues, mosquito catchers, patio heaters.

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 1 and a half foot tall by 1 foot diameter and will hold a little less than 5 gallons of propane when full.

Notes: These tanks are not filled on site.  We offer an exchange service for these cylinders for commercial customers and restaurants. For more local customers, we do offer a walk-in service.

33-POUND PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses: Forklifts and other autogas-fueled vehicles.  

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 2 feet tall by 1 foot diameter and will hold close to 8 gallons when filled.

Notes: There are a few different types of tanks this size.  The most common is a liquid draw (not the vapor of propane).  These are to be used in a horizontal position, for example, the type of tank that’s mounted on the back of a forklift. We offer an exchange and refill service for our commercial customers.  Storage cages are also available for security and safety.

100-POUND PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses: Home fireplaces, cooking, dryers, barbecues, commercial temporary heat on job sites

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 4 feet tall by 1-and-a-half foot in diameter and will hold a little less than 25 gallons when full.

Notes: Due to its relatively small size, these tanks are able to be placed in areas with fewer restrictions when compared to larger tanks.  Since they will hold 100 pounds of propane when full, these tanks are fairly easy to move around, making an exchange service for residential use very convenient. Unfortunately, these tanks are not made with a remaining amount gauge.  For this reason, most common setups include two tanks with an automatic change-over regulator and indicator between the tanks.  When this indicator changes from green to red (yes, it’s that simple), it means the first tank has run out and it’s time to place an order for propane.  

Placement Restrictions: The minimum distance from a door or window into a building is 3 feet. The minimum distance from the source of ignition is 5 feet.

420-POUND PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses: Home heating, hot water, dryers, fireplaces, generators, pool heat.  

Commercial Uses: Heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning and temporary heating.

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 4 feet tall by 3 feet diameter and will hold 100 gallons when filled to 80 percent capacity.

Notes: These tanks are commonly referred to by a few different names. Such names include “100 gallons,” which refers to the actual number of gallons of propane the tank can hold; “120 gallons,” which refers to the total water capacity of the tank; and a “420lb tank,” which refers to the number of pounds of propane the tank will be able to hold when filled to 80 percent.  

Placement Restrictions: The minimum distance from a door or window into a building is 5 feet. The minimum distance from a source of ignition is 10 feet. Up to 4 of these tanks are permitted to be placed next to each other, assuming the other restriction clearances are met.

500 GALLON PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses:  Whole-home systems, home heating, generators, pool heat. 

Commercial Uses: Heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying, and temporary heating.

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 3-and-a-half-feet tall and wide by 10 feet long and will hold 400 gallons when filled to 80 percent.

Notes: 500-gallon tanks come in either above ground or underground versions. This tank size will be appropriate for most houses ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet. This is the smallest tank size that metered systems for communities or shared commercial buildings will be drawn from.

Placement Restrictions: The minimum distance from a building is 10 feet. The minimum distance from a source of ignition is 10 feet. The minimum distance from a property line is also 10 feet.

1,000 GALLON PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses: Whole-home systems, home heating, generators, pool heat. 

Commercial Uses: Heating, commercial cooking, dry cleaning, crop drying, and temporary heating.

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 3 1/2 feet tall/wide by 16 feet long and will hold 800 gallons when filled to 80% capacity.

Notes: 1,000-gallon tanks come in either above ground or underground versions. This tank size is appropriate for most houses ranging from 4,500 square feet and up.  Smaller houses with more appliances may also take advantage of this size too. Metered systems for small communities or small-sized medium-sized shared commercial buildings that will be drawn from will commonly install 1,000-gallon propane tanks as their central propane storage. 

Placement Restrictions: The minimum distance from a building is 10 feet. The minimum distance from a source of ignition is 10 feet.  The minimum distance from a property line is also 10 feet.  If two of these tanks are placed within 3 feet of each other, the restriction clearances increase to 25 feet.

30,000 GALLON PROPANE TANKS

Common Uses: Large communities with metered service, commercial facilities, bulk plant storage.

Size and Capacity: This tank is approximately 10 feet tall and wide by 70 feet long and will hold 24,000 gallons when filled to 80 percent capacity.

Notes: 30,000-gallon tanks will most commonly be installed at propane bulk storage facilities or at properties that use a significant amount of propane in short time periods.

Placement Restrictions: This will vary due to township and state regulations.  

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