According to the American Gas Association, 60 million people in the United States use approximately 15 billion gallons of propane annually, primarily as heating fuel and for the backyard BBQ. With so many people using propane, we want to make sure your checkbook isn't getting smoked. Here are a few shopping tips:

1) Shop around - Some companies have a "minimum buy" requirement. Example: the retailer requires a minimum purchase of 10 gallons and the price is $2.00 per gallon, but you only need 5 gallons...

Minimum buy
10 gallons X $2 = $20

No minimum
5 gallons X $2 =$10

2) Know the method of sale - propane can be sold by weight or gallon. If a retailer sells it by weight or gallon, they are required to have a licensed NTEP approved scale or meter respectively.

3) Make sure there is a posted price - If it is sold by weight or by gallon, make sure the price is clearly posted.

4) Pay attention and beware of propane spewing - Propane spewing occurs when an operator opens the fixed liquid level gauge and releases propane into the atmosphere. You will know the bottle is full when a white cloud (propane) sputters from the fixed liquid level gauge. The result - you're paying for product you didn't receive! The operator should immediately close the valve to minimize lost product.

Need More Tips?

View a KNXV news story done by Channel 15's "Smart Shopper," Daphne Monroe, on ways to know what you're getting when you need to fill your propane tank.  Video (6.25 MB)