Top national propane companies
The propane landscape varies considerably across the United States. Various companies offer countrywide service, others are state-based, and others still are local. This is a key criterion for choosing a propane company as you seek the best combination of safety, price and customer care.
Certainly, America’s largest propane companies have good safety records, are able to be flexible in their prices and have a large network of offices responsible for customer support. Only three propane companies (Amerigas, Ferrellgas and Suburban Propane) offer countrywide services but three others also have important distribution networks (Thompson Gas, Matheson Gas and United Propane Gas).
National and local propane companies
There are thousands of propane companies in the United States. Some local propane companies offer excellent services and competitive prices. However, given the clout of the large propane companies it is recommended that you include them in your search for the ideal propane dealer, especially if they have a retail location near your home. Remember that you should not only be concerned with the company’s overall quality of service (which is a national average) but enquire as to how the company’s outlet that it closest to your home fares in terms of safety and reputation.
Top propane companies offers
There is no single cheapest propane company and only Amerigas, Suburban Propane and Ferrellgas deliver propane to locations in the entire country. The only way of establishing a price hierarchy is to take Ohio as a benchmark since it is the state with the closest price for propane per gallon ($2.430) to the national average ($2.482 per gallon). On this basis, it seems that Amerigas is cheaper than Ferrellgas, which in turn is cheaper than Suburban Propane, for a large home using propane as a primary source of energy:
|
Company |
First fill (dollars/gallon) |
Next fill (dollars/gallon) |
|
Amerigas |
1.699 |
2.099 |
|
Ferrellgas |
1.499 |
2.370 |
|
Suburban Propane |
1.799 |
2.599 |
As you can see from the table below that summarizes the top three propane companies’ offers, the difference between large propane companies is not defined in terms of general services, which are very similar. Your interest is ensuring that the company you select, after comparing quotes from dealers near your home, offers the best local service (proximity, pricing and safety record). For example, within the same state, companies may have offices located in different counties, affecting delivery schedules, pricing (transportation costs are factored into prices) and emergency response times.
|
Amerigas |
Suburban Propane |
Ferrellgas |
|
|
24/7 emergency line |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Customer care |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
On call propane delivery |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Automatic propane delivery |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Guaranteed propane price options |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Flexible payment solutions |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
NPGA member |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Amerigas
The largest propane company in the United States is Amerigas. With over two million customers and propane services in all 50 states (with over 1,200 outlets) you should have an Amerigas outlet near you. The company is responsive in terms of customer care and safety, and has a variety of delivery and payment solutions (automatic delivery, guaranteed price programs, flexible payment solutions, etc.). Since Amerigas bought Heritage Propane in 2012 its network and number of customers has greatly increased since the latter had 1.1 million clients and 524 outlets in 41 states. It is a member of the National Propane Gas Association and of the state propane gas associations throughout the US.
Suburban Propane
Suburban Propane is the second largest propane retailer in the United States since its acquisition of Inergy Propane in 2012. Its website indicates that it has over 750,000 customers and covers more than 30 states through 300 locations. However, Inergy Propane serviced 700,000 customers and had over 350 outlets in 30 states so the merger has greatly increased Suburban Propane’s national coverage. Like Amerigas, Suburban Propane has responsive customer care and emergency (24/7) lines and offers a large range of services in terms of pricing, payment and delivery options. It is a member of the National Propane Gas Association and of the state propane gas associations where it operates.
Ferrellgas
Ferrellgas is the third largest propane dealer in the United States: it has around one million customers and over 800 outlets in all 50 states. Like Amerigas and Suburban Propane, Ferrellgas allows you to decide whether you want to call in each delivery or have the company delivering propane automatically and pay in advance, in one go or over 9-12 months. It has a 24/7 emergency service line and reliable customer care. Like Amerigas or Suburban Propane, allows you to buy propane at a guaranteed price. It is a member of the National Propane Gas Association and of the state propane gas associations where it operates.