Propane price guesses?

[man-a-fre]

I have 30% left in my 500 gallon tank it will make it thru till spring on this as it is used for auxillary heat and heat pump is primary. What do you guys think propane prices are going to due thru the summer ? Should i refill my tank now at 1.80 a gallon or wait it out and see if it goes lower from now till fall ?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Can't say. Propane prices are basically at the mercy of the seller's whims.

Tommy

 

[Robbie B]

Can’t say for sure but all things considered I’d almost say bend over and grab your ankles.

 

[kd3pc]

My guy told me last week at my fill up (300/gal at $1.59) that to expect $2.00 by summer and then another $.10-.20 hike when they switch to winter blend liquid fuels in the fall. If all goes well.

Our gasoline, Exxon/Mobil regular, has gone up just under $.40/gal in the last 3 weeks. Sources say the price should drop back down when TX gets all their stuff running again and then prepare for the annual Memorial Day run-up to summer

 

[couch67]

Around here, prices are typically highest this time of year, and lowest in mid to late summer - thats when I fill up 1000 gal for the year. It can spike up in the early fall due to higher demand for crop drying.

I've been on propane for about 7 years now, and this trend has mostly held up each year.

 

[1953mercury]

Price here seems to be lowest in the fall when they run annual sales trying to get you to switch providers. I'm always on the lookout for used 500-1000 gal. tanks. Seems any excuse they can find to raise prices is valid. They can say it's because of supply /demand, but they always have some to sell you at up to three times the price. Mike

 

[Showkey]

Its a guess........Even though propane is a commodity, the factors that influence its price are different even than other energy sources. The main factors affecting wholesale propane price are crude oil and natural gas prices, proximity of supply, production, volumes being exported, weather, and cyclical demand periods.

To make the guess with more information given the above statement are crude and Nat gas going to higher next year ? Answer very very likely YES

Crude 52 weeks USD/bbl. (Brent is close to the same numbers). Today approx $60
Low 19.61 | High 64.6.

Crude. 64.60. YTD + 23%

Nat gas YTD + 15.91%

Gasoline. YTD +. 27.49%

 

[yeldogt]

You have to call them ....

Propane is never the cheapest fuel .... and it can really bounce around. I paid $1 in 06 and $5 in 12 ...

Propane is normally more than oil as well ... but the equipment needs less service -- so it ends up being cheaper

 

[TractorJeff]

Basically my understanding is the Trend is as described in Post #5.
My Supplier already called me about "Pre-Buying" in the Summer when traditionally the price "was" lower.
Hopefully this will still be true this year?

 

[yeldogt]

My guy told me last week at my fill up (300/gal at $1.59) that to expect $2.00 by summer and then another $.10-.20 hike when they switch to winter blend liquid fuels in the fall. If all goes well.

Our gasoline, Exxon/Mobil regular, has gone up just under $.40/gal in the last 3 weeks. Sources say the price should drop back down when TX gets all their stuff running again and then prepare for the annual Memorial Day run-up to summer

Maybe true ...

I have never had a propane guy tell me to wait .... they always have a reason why it will go up.

The OP at $1.80 ... is a decent price. I just paid $2.02 ...


The early fall price is often volatile -- can flip quick

 

[93Ramcharger]

I just paid 2.27 a gallon with sales tax. If you can buy propane for 1.80 a gallon, I'd jump on it before it goes up.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I paid $1.13 a gallon last May on a prebuy of 1000 gallons for this winter, I just filled my 500 gallon tank with the last of it. I had to pay for the last 50 gallons at $1.62 a gallon. She said it's jumped about .30 gallon in the last two weeks for customer owned tanks.
Like others have said it's usually cheaper in the summer months

Sent from my moto z3 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[p00p]

If it were me, I'd fill up sooner than later.

 

[dcg9381]

I'd buy at $1.80. It's $1.90 here delivered for that much. Cheapest "we fill it for you" place, around $2.40 per gallon here... Note, northern climates get better prices than I do in Texas, from what I've noticed.

Agree with others that gas prices seem to be swinging up. We're all guessing, but $1.80 wouldn't break my bank. Can always hedge your bet and fill up 50%.

 

[rmanrman]

I’d be very happy with $2.30/gal. Was paying in northern NJ $2.79 last month. Now at $3.13/gal. I have a 1000 gallon tank and the whole house plus 12K generator and my supplier is giving me a break ??? Might consider removing the gas fireplace and return to a wood stove. But the cost of a chimney would be rediculous.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I’d be very happy with $2.30/gal. Was paying in northern NJ $2.79 last month. Now at $3.13/gal. I have a 1000 gallon tank and the whole house plus 12K generator and my supplier is giving me a break ??? Might consider removing the gas fireplace and return to a wood stove. But the cost of a chimney would be rediculous.

I just had the chimney rebuilt, the old pipe failed, 2 story house, for new duravent ? 6", $5200. We had a chimney fire in November, running a wood stove. Guy did it with 6" snow on the roof in a snow storm. Im guessing a much better deal could be had, I did not shop it. Im thinking where was less than $2000 of materials cost...

 

[mrobins297aaa]

one of the advantages of owning your own tank is you can shop prices.
this was from a different supplier than I purchased my pre buy from, I always try and keep my tank full if I get a good deal

 

[That Guy Scott]

I paid $3.09 yesterday. CA ***** but the weather is nice

 

[James-W]

Maybe you should get the tank half filled. That way if the price goes up over the Summer, come Fall, you will have saved some money because you only have to fill half of the tank. On the other hand, if the price is lower this Fall you will be saving some money because it will cost you less money to fill up the other half.

 

[Adk Mike]

Wholesale prices are high now. Typical this time of year. Lots of domestic propane being exported out of the country. Wait until it’s down a little more 30% is 150 gallons.
Long term own your own tank. Contract with one vender for the winter season. Mike

 

[Showkey]

Own your own tank has merit and one BIG risk. If supply goes short (again) you can find you have no supply as the dealer will fill his tanks. Plan way ahead and have enough storage to last a supply shortage.

 

[TractorJeff]

I called yesterday to have a delivery. She said, she would put me on the schedule. Before I hung up I asked what is the cost? She replied $2.88 a gallon!
Somewhere I read (I think?) that if the tank is bigger, the cost is lower? I have a 120 gallon tank. The RED Zone is 20 gallons and lower. So that should be 100 gallons usable? But its not, its actually only 72 gallons as there is Temperature Expansion space. Which I see as a Marketing Design Flaw that is Engineered into the Tank.
I am thinking of talking to them about a 240 gallon tank to lessen the Winter deliveries now that I know approximately what I will be using.

 

[BeeOtch]

We where in the same boat and went ahead and filled it up. I'm not going to be caught without gas if the temps drop again.

 

[toyotadriver]

My propane supplier charges less if you get 200 gallons or more. Any less and you’ll pay a premium.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I was quoted, I think $2.59 about a week ago by my provider.

 

[alex2929]

I live in Ohio....generally cheapest here during mid to late summer....I filled my tank in August for $.99 and prepaid 1000 gal for the winter months for $1.19

 

[23ford]

OP you cou;d buy 1/2 now and wait.

 

[65ranchero]

I just had the wife pull the last propane fill invoice from 12/23/20 3.309 gal. includes delivery charge 100 gal. tank

not enough use to pre buy

2.129 for heating oil can pre buy and lock in price

 

[TractorJeff]

My propane supplier charges less if you get 200 gallons or more. Any less and you’ll pay a premium.

This is what I am going to ask about