Help with sizing a propane tank

[GAR64]

Hello. Finally getting some heat for my garage. Having a Modine 60k propane heater installed and am trying to determine what size tank I should be using. Not sure if I will rent or purchase but first want to figure out what size I need. Located in upstate NY. Garage is 30x36 with 9' ceiling. Well insulated. I would like to keep the space about 50 degrees with the ability to warm up to about 60 occasionally. Not familiar with tanks. What size would make sense? Thanks for any help...

 

[couch67]

Not sure how much the regulations differ from Ontario. You tank choice will also govern where you can place it. For 500 gal sizes and over, the tank must be a minimum distance (10 or 25 feet depending on size) from the building and min 10ft from property lines. But an upright 420 lb 'fat boy' tank can be right beside the building. Plus you can gang two or three of them together. The fat boys I think hold 120 gal of propane.

I see many smaller homes around here being heated with two of the fat boys.

 

[Bretny]

Do you have a place that fill 100lb tanks? Do you have the abilityto fill them your self? If not they sell 100lb tanks with a multi fill valve that can be filled on site. Two of them are going to be cheaper than buying a tank or renting a tank from a local gas company. I believe Home depot has 100lb multi fill tanks for $160.


My 45kbtu on 100lb tanks. They usualy last a month if not longer. Im 24x24 and half *** insulated.

 

[Bretny]

100lb tanks have no setback in NY as far as i know

 

[MattT]

You ideally want a tank large enough to last a full year. That way you can buy your propane in the summer when it's cheaper. That summer to winter spread is usually between 50 cents and a dollar per gallon around here.

Rent or buy depends on your local gas companies. Rents can range from free if you buy gas on up to expensive. If you own the tank it also allows you to price shop for propane which can save money in some areas.

 

[Pruittx2]

stand up 120 gallon filled on will call, by local provider.

Or a laydown 250 gallon unit if you got the space.

 

[yeldogt]

I had two of the 100 or 120 gallon tanks (tandem) for my 1700sf studio with a 38k heater .... they can be set up next to a building. 500g needs all the setbacks of a 1k tank. Not sure of a 250 -- but it can not be placed against a dwelling like the twin 100's

I think that size is called a 100g but, it's actually a 120g -- it's 100g of propane at max fill.

twin was not enough propane for the whole winter -- they want you to call at 30%.


There are various things at work. It's not just how often will I have to fill. It's how much gas can a given tank provide at low temps -- the fuel must vaporize in the open space of the tank. That's why I need two tanks .....

 

[Bretny]

Thats a prety general statement and some times not true. You need to look at the vaporization rate of the cylinder at a specific temp. In his case you will need two tanks. How ever my 45/50k btu runs on one 100lb tank just fine and im very close to the OP location.

Also unless you buy the tanks larger than 100lb your stuck with that gas supplier. Buying bigger tanks can be very costly.

 

[Rice5505]

Check out amerigas website might help a bit. its a good general rule of thumb. It really comes down to budget and outdoor temp. (unfortunately that varies even year by year)

If you want to be safe, my advise go with something 300gal or bigger that will ensure you only fill a maximum of once per year, if you want to stay conservative go with something in the 100-200 range but you may run out in the middle of winter. depending on the set point of the thermostat. With only a 60K in a shop that size you've got around 55 btu/sqft. normally I'd size a system for a cold climate at 70ish btu per sqft with 100k being optimal. Having fans high to circulate the buoyant warm air will help some, but 1000+ sqft will tax a heater that size to keep it at 60F. 50F is a little more reasonable for something that size but again i'd keep fans running to circ the air when the outdoor temp drops below 60.

 

[Rice5505]

Also need to make sure they can access the tank/s within reason ~ 50' or less to the truck. Not sure of the propane companies up there, but the ones here in KY can fill from that distance to the tank truck. Either way you go 100gal or more you're not going to move it when full without machinery. so the idea of pulling the tank when empty taking it to fill and putting it back may seem good, but probably impractical.

 

[Bondo]

Hello. Finally getting some heat for my garage. Having a Modine 60k propane heater installed and am trying to determine what size tank I should be using. Not sure if I will rent or purchase but first want to figure out what size I need. Located in upstate NY. Garage is 30x36 with 9' ceiling. Well insulated. I would like to keep the space about 50 degrees with the ability to warm up to about 60 occasionally. Not familiar with tanks. What size would make sense? Thanks for any help...

Ayuh,..... Call yer supplier of choice, 'n have 'em drop in a 1000 gal horizontal tank,.....

Heatin' year round, shop the suppliers against each other for the best pricin',.....

I'm over here in Jeff county on the water, 'n use EV Energy,.....
Their prices are Great, 'n their honesty is beyond their competitors,....

 

[Buckgnarly]

24x32, 14' ceilings and 80k radiant tube here. First Winter had a 120 gallon, it got filled about 2.5 times with an absolutely brutal month of Dec. Had a second 120 gallon added this Summer, looks like I should make it with 2 fillings of both keeping the garage at 53, bumped up when working.
I lock in my price during the Summer months so fillings really do not matter other than having the driveway sanded for the delivery guy.
2 120s should do you fine, check into local companies offering lock in Summer prices. My rental is negated with about one fill up of each tank, so check rental also.

 

[Adk Mike]

I’ve sold propane in upstate NY for 30 years plus. A 100 gallon tank is called a 420 in our area. For this time of year have a supplier put 2 on the garage. They can go right up against the building. One would work but if your going to leave the heat on you want the reserve. Do not buy a 420 tank. . Needs change over time and they are hard to sell.
When spring comes and the ground dries up buying a 500 is not a bad idea. They have to be ten feet away by code. If you want to go that route. With a 500 leased or owned you just have more options. My opinion is trucks are expensive so have enough storage to minimize deliveries. Mike

 

[Adk Mike]

One other thing 100 pound tanks hold 23.6 gallons. They are a waste of your time. Good for a weekend or to get things started. Just not worth the bother.

 

[Jim greengo]

Ask your propane provider.

 

[TractorJeff]

I was talking to my brother south of Buffalo recently (post deer season).
He says that a 100 POUND on his hunting camp cabin (well insulated) heated by a non-vented 30k wall heater will last only 8 days. I figure they are heating to 65'ish at night and 75'ish during the day?
My GUESS is that at 45 degrees a 50k heater in a 1000 sqft well insulated garage will last MAYBE a Month?

 

[dlundblad]

Do you have an existing tank you can tap into? 100 lbs isn't very much and could be a hassle since you're wanting constant heat.

I am not sure on the smaller stuff, but in my area, the big tanks are on back order until February/ March. $1000 for 500 gallons.

 

[volleyball]

I commend the OP on giving location, space dimensions and temp. Too many How big do I need specifics even though I don't give any myself.
Is this going to be 50 + all the time or just when in use?
This time of year your only practical choice is to rent a tank from a local supplier. I demanded a 100 gal. even though my current needs are limited but expanding. I think that would be your minimum. If you go through that quickly they can always bring a second tank.
This way you have minimum investment and the most flexibility.

 

[OldNeons]

I have a 120 gallon tank on each of my outbuildings with small heater in each. Similar temp ranges to you. I do fine with them but do typically need to refill once over the winter. My supplier is friendly and close and I didn't want to deal with locating a larger tank away from the buildings.

 

[GAR64]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like there is some confusion between a 100 lb and 100 gallon tanks. I think a 100 gallon (420) is how I will start out.