The summer season is probably the best time to order a propane fill. If your home runs mostly on propane (for central heating and water heating, for example), but also if you only use propane for a single appliance (cooking, for example), propane prices are cheapest in summer, often by over a dollar per gallon.

Why is propane cheaper in summer?

Propane prices vary significantly according to usage (among other factors). Those who use more propane tend to pay less per gallon than people who use limited amounts of LP-gas. But everybody pays less for propane in summer since there is very little demand for it (few people need central heating in summer for example).

How much cheaper is filling my propane tank in summer?

The difference is noticeable (often over a dollar per gallon between the summer and winter seasons). To fill a 500-gallon propane tank, this means a $500 saving. Therefore, it is advisable, if at all possible, to order as much propane as possible in the summer months.

This is particularly advantageous for those with large (or several) propane tanks since it means you can use propane that you have bought over the summer during the winter, thus saving a significant amount of money.

Is summer a good period to sign up with a propane company?

Summer is the best season of the year to sign up with a new propane company (for example, if you have a new home or want to switch propane suppliers). If you are (or are going to be) using large amounts of propane, you might consider asking whether local propane companies offer fixed pricing deals or pre-buy programs (among other issues to take into account when choosing a propane company). 

With fixed price programs, your propane price will probably be indexed on the summer propane price, which is very advantageous. With pre-buy programs, you can purchase propane in advance at the summer propane price, which is more costly to begin with since you have to make the investment but cheaper in the long run. With automatic delivery, you have very little to worry about!