Showcase your expertise

For real estate agents, demonstrating your expertise about all of a home’s features is an opportunity to enhance the client experience. That’s especially true for features that homeowners may not have experienced before, such as propane tanks. Explore this interactive infographic and share it with your clients to help answer any questions — and get happier clients and more referrals.

Get to know your propane tank

Here are the features that keep tanks safe, sturdy, and long-lasting.

MATERIALS

Propane tanks are made of heavy steel and built to ASME and DOT specifications to ensure they can withstand weather and collisions.

LIFESPAN

Propane tanks can last for decades with regular inspection and maintenance.

VALVES

Tanks have valves to fill the tank, service the tank, or relieve pressure from extreme heat. Homeowners should not use the valves except for emergency shut-offs.

WEATHER

The tank is designed to withstand extreme hot or cold temperatures — just remember to keep the path to the tank clear of snow for refills.

Propane tank locations

Find out where propane tanks fit in on the property.

Underground Tank

Tanks can be safely buried underground, where they are serviced through a small dome. Propane is nontoxic and insoluble in water, so it does not pose a contamination risk.

Aboveground Tank

Larger tanks, typically with sizes ranging from 120 gallons to 1,000 gallons, are installed with minimum distances from  property lines and buildings according to stringent code requirements.

Propane Cylinders

Smaller 420-pound cylinders (approximately 100 gallons) can be safely placed against a home or building, and multiple cylinders can be connected together.

Landscaping

Smaller 420-pound cylinders (approximately 100 gallons) can be safely placed against a home or building, and multiple cylinders can be connected together.

ABOVEGROUND TANKS

Larger tanks, typically with sizes ranging from 120 gallons to 1,000 gallons, are installed with minimum distances from property lines and buildings according to stringent code requirements.

LANDSCAPING

Homeowners may beautify the area around their tank with plantings or screens—just ensure plants are at least five feet from the tank. Tanks can not be painted without approval from the propane retailer.

UNDERGROUND TANKS

Tanks can be safely buried underground, where they are serviced through a small dome. Propane is nontoxic and insoluble in water, so it does not pose a contamination risk.

PROPANE CYLINDERS

Smaller 420-pound cylinders (approximately 100 gallons) can be safely placed against a home or building, and multiple cylinders can be connected together.

Who owns the tank?

Help homeowners avoid any confusion about tank ownership.

LEASING

Leasing or renting a tank from a propane retailer is most common because the propane company is responsible for maintaining and repairing the tank—and the tank can only be filled by that propane company. If your client buys a home with a propane tank, be sure to verify who owns it.

OWNING

In some scenarios the homeowner may prefer to own their own tank. Tank owners are free to choose any propane provider. But tank owners are responsible for their own maintenance, and some propane companies may not service tanks they did not install.

RENTAL HOMES

For owners of investment or rental properties, make sure they educate their tenants about the propane tank and make it clear who is responsible for managing the propane contract.