Propane Prices Blog

Many propane consumers live in the service area of cooperatives that provide electric service and/or farmer products.  In some cases, propane consumers are not aware that a local electric coop or farmer coop offers propane service.

During the summer months, some propane suppliers offer teaser propane rates to attract propane customers.  Some of the teasers include free propane tank installation, lower first fill offers, among other financial gifts and incentives. 

It's summer and it's time to evaluate your propane supplier's service.  With the warm summer weather, most home propane customers are using propane fuel for limited appliances. Perhaps you are using propane for waterheating.  Perhaps you use your propane for a swimming pool heater or a spa heater.  Perhaps you are using propane for cooking.  Whatever your consumption, it is very possible that you are using a lesser amount that during the cold winter weather. It is important to be aware of summer time propane supplier offers.

Do all propane customers in the same area, with similar tank ownership details (lease or own a tank) with the same propane consumption patterns pay the same propane price per gallon?  Furthermore, what if a customer that has been loyal to a propane supplier for many years (perhaps even decades) discovers that a new customer, with similar tank ownership and consumption patterns s paying less than the long time, loyal customer.

As suggested in other areas of our website, propane consumers should make it a priority to contact other propane suppliers BEFORE accepting future home propane deliveries.   A propane home heating consumer should obtain a propane price quote from a minimum of three local suppliers offering service in his/her area to ensure that that  quote is representative of local pricing. 

Some propane suppliers clearly identify the extra fees that a customer must pay the propane supplier related to hazmat fees, fixed price programs, etc (if the supplier charges such fees).   Charging any additional fee propane service fee is the choice and the right of each propane supplier.   At the same time, it is the right of each propane customer to select any propane supplier or change to another propane supplier for any reason - including extra propane supplier fees. 

Several of our website visitors have contacted us to request that we provide a space for folks to post propane supplier names next to posted prices in our price survey (shown on our website home page).  In theory, this would make it very easy for our website visitors to quickly access our website, review prices next to propane supplier names, then order propane from the propane supplier offering the lowest current propane price.

Many propane suppliers have put reasons that propane prices change on their company websites.  For example, suppliers may state that propane is a by-product of the natural gas extraction process and propane pricing may be impacted by this process.  Another reason may include the distance that propane is transported before it reaches the customer destination.  Another reason may be noted as 'seasonal demand'.  All of these reasons may impact the price of propane. 

Many rural homeowners have been inclined to install and use a propane furnace (or furnaces) for home heating rather than installing and using a heat pump that uses electricity.  In many cases, the homeowner was informed by someone or some website that propane heating is less expensive than heating with electricity.   However, homeowners should carefully consider all factors when looking at propane compared to solar electric energy.

We have an ongoing poll for our website visitors to register their response to the question that appears.  Our website poll question is currently as follows:

Does your propane supplier notify you of your propane price per gallon before each home delivery?