Sizing your tank
US residential propane tanks range from 20 lb portable cylinders to 1,000-gallon ASME bulk tanks. The standard whole-home heating tank is 500 gallons aboveground; smaller homes or non-heating households use 120 or 250 gallons; very cold climates with full appliance loads step up to 1,000 gallons.
Tank sizing flows from your annual propane consumption. A useful rule: pick a tank that holds at least 6 months of winter use at 80% capacity (the maximum fill, per NFPA 58). See propane tank sizes for the full table and the appliance-BTU sizing method.
Tank ownership — lease vs buy
Most US customers lease their tank from the dealer. Customer-owned tanks cost $1,000–$3,500 upfront for a 500-gallon aboveground but unlock the ability to shop dealers at every fill. The breakeven math favours ownership for high-volume users (1,000+ gal/yr); leasing wins for light users. See buying or renting.
Aboveground vs underground
Aboveground installation costs $500–$1,500 and is the US default. Underground costs $1,500–$3,500 (excavation) but only the dome is visible. Both use the same ASME tank construction and have 30+ year service lives. HOA aesthetics and lot size often decide. See aboveground vs underground.
Delivery and refills
Two delivery models: auto-fill (dealer schedules from heating-degree-day forecasts, refilling around 25% tank level) or will-call (you call when low). Most heating customers use auto-fill; light users prefer will-call. See propane delivery, automatic delivery, and filling a propane tank.
Safety and regulations
NFPA 58 governs tank installation, distance from buildings and property lines, and post-runout leak testing. Federal DOT regulates cylinder construction and recertification; state fire marshals enforce installation rules. See distance rules and installation.