Propane pricing sources?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I need a good web-based source for information on real-time prices for home heating propane if possible. The place I'm staying in currently has a "automatic refill" policy set up with one local company although I hate this arrangement (I'd far rather shop around for whomever has the best price at the time, then pay cash on the barrelhead for it). These guys just charged me $3.70 a gallon for the stuff delivered; I think I could have done way better if I'd been able to shop around. I want to make the case to the current owner to cancel his auto-refill contract with Company X and let me handle the fill-ups with whomever is best at that time every few months when I need to.

Anyway, if anyone knows such a source for good, reliable fuel pricing where I don't have to waste two hours digging around and/or dealing with having to phone people up (and listen to their high-pressure sales B.S.) I'd really appreciate it. TIA.

[deanp]

Jeff - don't know if the same in NH but in MA it is illegal for anyone but the tank owner (propane co) to fill, meaning Company X cannot fill Company Y's tank. The only thing you can do is shop around and then make the switch, the new company will install a new tank. Again, may be different in NH, but may be the first thing to check.

I don't know of a web based site that shows real time wholesale or retail propane pricing.

[deanp]

Just found this - not sure if it is helpful or not.

Heating Oil and Propane Update

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Interesting... I'll have to check that. I have no idea who owns this tank whether it's the building owner or the gas co's.

Good site. I also found this one but naturally none of the pricing information for this area has been updated.

home-heating-oil-propane-kerosene-prices

[flatbutt]

Jeff, we're running about the same price here in jersey. I just paid $3.89, though my neighbor just got gouged by his supplier for $7 per gallon!!! There is a lawyer in his immediate future.

[speedracing944]

You guys are paying that much for propane? We are contracted at $1.30 a gallon.

Speedy

[Joeaksa]

Propane is $2.42 here as of yesterday... Someone is making a LOT of money up in the NE.

[fingpilot]

The situation described is correct. Only the owner of the tank can refill it. The key word there is OWNER. If you own your own tank, you can pick and choose.

I have a tank from Surburban. Here at Mt. Lassen, I got a tank big enough to last a year. It cannot be topped off until the level is below 35%. That usually happens sometime in the mid-summer, so I start shopping for my supplier's prices in March. They are always willing to refill cheaply during their slow season (summer). I have never paid more than $2.20 a gallon, and last spring it was just under $2. a gallon.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

That's one of the things I'm getting at. If it requires me to purchase the tank, I will. I know there are a number of cooperatives around here that use their leverage of bulk buying to lock in far better than market rate prices or the "rape me" prices that companies charge once someone is stupid enough to sign up for an "automatic refill agreement" with them.

I think the owner here was more concerned about convenience than price. I'm more concerned about price than convenience. I don't like being ripped off and if it takes telling "Company X" to take their tank and shove it up their azz come spring, I will, and buy/install my own tank.

[Rich76_911s]

This is a decent website to reference:

Nebraska's Natural Gas Statistics

[deanp]

You can absolutely buy your own tank and have it installed by a plumber and then work to get your best pricing. Does the existing tank have any markings on it?

[asphaltgambler]

I just went through this. Most all propane co's that install /bury the tank - own it. The cost of depreciation os over a 30 yr life span. My tank (buried) was quoted as having @$3K value - which is then spread over 30yrs. Since I built the house new 2-1/2 years ago and signed a contract I would have to purchase it for almost the full amount today in order to have anyone of my choosing to fill it

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The tank in question is an AST - it also bothers me because there's no concrete pad under it and it's precariously close to a drop-off in the back yard (maybe 2-3 feet behind the tank the ground slopes down about 15' to a marsh/wetland area). If I end up buying this place I'd like to put in a pad (and a retaining wall) and buy the tank, assuming it isn't owned already. I'll have to check.

No markings that I can remember - although there's about 6" of snow on top of it right now and I ain't going out there to look. I'll wait until it melts off in a few days and then go poke around.

The more I read about these "automatic fill-up" things, the more I'm utterly convinced they're highway robbery. I honestly want to know what kind of fool would sign up for something like this - it's like saying "here, have monopoly power over me - it's okay". Sheesh!

IIRC the tank out there is a 380-ish gallon one and I've seen ones around 1,000 gallons for a few hundred bucks online. I figure it would realistically take a grand or maybe $1500 when you factor in tank, delivery, any permit required, etc. That's just preliminary research though. Heck, you'd make that back in a year based on some of the co-op prices and the "rape me" rates that Company X is charging (I found one co-op charging $2.40 a gallon and the current "automatic refill" rate is $3.70). So figure it's safe to assume a buck a gallon savings by being able to shop around and/or get on with a co-op. At 5-10 gallons a day use the tank would pay for itself in a couple of years assuming 3-4 months a year of heating required.

[Racerbvd]