Propane Tanks.

Intplm. · November 11

Propane tanks for heating residential and commercial buildings in my area can only be purchased by a Propane Dealer. Not the homeowner, not the building owner, not the plumbing contractor or HVAC/mechanical contractor. Why is this? And how did this become a "rule"?

With all of my credentials, licenses, etc. I cannot purchase a large-sized propane tank for a home, or even my own home.

EBEBRATT-Ed · November 11

Not sure if it is in your state law or something or a DOT rule? They sell them online as well as far as I know

GGross · November 11

Not sure if its a rule exactly but I can understand why a propane company would not want to fill a tank that they do not own.

hot_rod · November 11

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/202607/propane-tanks

I bought 3 used 500 gallon from homeowners when they were able to get NG. I used a handfull of different LP providers over 23 years. A few looked at the certification date stamped into the tank, but never refused to fill.

I did buy 1 new 500 gallon Manchester tank from a LP parts supplier. But a few years later they would not sell me another, even with my state LP certificate.

I would check with local LP delivery companies as far as what they will fill.

I know you can send tanks off to have them re-certified. The pressure test, sand blast and repaint them. I think rental tanks get cleaned and re-certified every so many years,

EBEBRATT-Ed · November 11

Don't know why it should be an issue. Oil companies fill oil tanks they do not own

Larry Weingarten · November 11

Hi, For contrast, in my area of central coastal California, a homeowner can buy and own their own tank. This is good from the perspective of propane shopping. So, it doesn't seem to be a nation-wide code issue.

Yours, Larry

mattmia2 · November 11

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1871897#Comment_1871897

you've done something really wrong if an oil tank explodes.

EdTheHeaterMan · November 11

I have purchased LP tanks whei I owned a gas station in NJ. I had a propane refilling station at the time and was able to purchase regulators, tanks and all sorts of fittings to install LP tanks for home heating. This was in the 1980s and 1990s. I still have two 100 pound bottles that I will have filled at a local refilling station. They are great for space heaters on job sites. I have never purchased a 100 gallon, 500 gallon or 1000 gallon tank before. The LP delivery companies handled that stuff so I never got a call for one.

Intplm. · November 12

I'm wondering if this is some type of new rule/or law because no supply house will sell me a propane tank. No large tank is allowed for me to purchase here in southern New England.

hot_rod · November 12

This site may have a listing of various state requirements. Or send them a question about tank regulations, maybe.

https://www.npga.org/

JeffM · November 20

Getting tanks from your supplier may not be the absolute lowest cost solution, but can come with advantages. I've got a family vacation place in Maine and there the propane supplier provided the two tanks. When they get old and rusty, it will be on them to replace - but the main advantage was that the tanks came with remote cell/WiFi level monitoring. I can now monitor propane levels from the other side of the country, but just as importantly the supplier can monitor as well and deliver when needed.

Intplm. · November 22

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1872028#Comment_1872028

Thanks @hot_rod for this sight. While reading through it, I learned a few things, but nothing about the reasoning behind not allowing purchase. Looking further, I have found via supply house personnel that there is some type of law or regulation that does not allow them to sell a propane tank to a person such as myself, with every license required to do my job in my state. I just don't get it?

EBEBRATT-Ed · November 22

@Intplm.

You probably already tried this but did you try F.W Webb/Victor supply in Hartford. Victor was or is a division of Webb that sold everything propane Locust Street in Hartford.

Victor was a Propane supplier that Webb bought out years ago. They were in a separate building next to Webb on Locust street. I guess they are absorbed into Webb now.

If you go on the FW Webb web site they show large propane tanks. They have a note that says "must be a licensed contractor"

Intplm. · November 23

@EBEBRATT-Ed

Yes. Went to Webb, Viking. Winnelson, Granite Group. I'm bewildered.

EBEBRATT-Ed · November 23

@Intplm.

Funny cause Webb does list large propane tanks on their main website. It does say something like "sell to licensed contractors etc"

Instead of calling a Webb Branch I would call the main office and try to get an answer. Somebody has got to know.

hot_rod · November 24

Maybe ask the LP supplier if they fill home owner tanks?

Do you see used LP tanks on the local classified, Craigslist, FB market place?

If people are selling used tanks, someone must be buying and filling them.

Most states have an LP association, they would know the laws and requirements.

I use to belong to the Missouri association.

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EBEBRATT-Ed · November 24

I know Connecticut has laws about tank filling etc I read those while searching for the OPs issue. Nothing unusual except that people that deliver oil and propane have to have some type of certificate issued yearly