Propane Gas Tank Options in Raleigh/Garner/Clayton? (Apex, Smithfield: 2009, rental)

[brooke11112]

We had decided to get our gas logs hooked up for for occassional use, but after calling around and seeing the costs, I've about decided to keep them unhooked. We don't have a truck, so not sure we could buy and refill our own tank.

So far, here is what I have discovered. I'll lay it out in detail so hopefully I can help someone else.

Energy United. For $269.21 I can get a promotional propane tank deal which includes rental of a 125 gallon tank, 100 gallons of gas, delivery and labor for installation of tank, certified safety inspection, and regulator.
The costs pile on later, as I'll have a $72.00 rental fee for the tank each year beginning in August 2009 and we will be charged for propane thereafter at the "current" market rate. I am suspicous of their "current market rates b/c they quoted the current price as $ 2.99 per gallon, which seems very high given the other rates I have seen quoted).

Ferrellgas. Tank rental fee of $75 per year, installation cost of $95 per hour, and first fill is $2.49 per gallon. They estimate that for 99 gallons of gas and installation of the tank, my initial set up will be $439.62. Not sure if $2.49 is a promotion rate or their regular market price.


Apex Propane-Initial Installation and set-up will cost us approximately $560. This includes installation of a 120 gallon tank and 100 gallons of gas. Current refill rate is $2.49 per gallon which for a full tank with hazmat fee would be $265.81 for the entire tank. They also charge a $50.00 tank rental fee each year you do not use 200 gallons of gas. Not sure if we would use that much each year just for gas longs, so we would probably have to pay the rental fee.

The United Energy sounded appealing upfront but when you throw in the rental fee and higher than normal market rate for gas, we may be shooting ourselves in the foot long term.

Anyone know of any better options for us? Any recommendations are HIGHLY appreciated.

[saturnfan]

Gas service thru PSNC.

[brooke11112]

Originally Posted by saturnfan

Gas service thru PSNC.

That would be my first choice, except that they do not come out to our area.

[jnj873]

What town do you live in? If it is Clayton, Try T R Lee, that is who our house was set up with when we bought it. Not sure if they service other areas except Clayton, but try giving them a call!

[playnice]

AmeriGas
Call us today: 919-779-7066

[MainLineMommy]

I called AmeriGas and FerrellGas on 11/19. First, both people I spoke to acted like it was a HUGE inconvenience to give me any information. If this is what I can expect as customer service from these places, I'd rather pay higher prices.

AmeriGas (the Smithfield office) quoted me $450 for installation and the first fill-up of propane (100 gallons on the 120 gallon tank). After asking twice, she said that this broke down to $270 for the installation and $180 for the gas, or $1.80 per gallon. This is a promotional rate for new customers only. The rental fee for the tank if we don't refill entirely within a year is $87 plus tax.

FerrellGas quoted me $85 per hour for service and labor for the installation, plus $4 per foot for copper piping. The promotional rate for the first fill-up of propane would be $1.99 per gallon. The yearly tank rental is $75 plus tax. They offered a rate lock-in for refill at $2.39 per gallon, or I could lock-in just a rate cap of $2.59 per gallon. When I pressed for an estimate for the total installation cost, for a new construction home with 2 fireplaces, she estimated about $312.

[playnice]

Mainline, give Tatum Insulation a jingle about hooking up your logs, 661-0999. If I was a betting person, I would wager that you will not get a rude rep there. Maybe the AmeriGas folks in Garner are just nicer!?!?

[icupicn]

Our neighbor has a 100lb tank for her gas logs and says that they charge a higher rate for her fills since the use is lower than people heating a house.

[MainLineMommy]

We don't need our logs hooked up, as that part of the service is paid for by the builder. Once the propane tank is installed and hooked to the house, the log company will come out and do the hook-up.

[brooke11112]

Originally Posted by MainLineMommy

FerrellGas quoted me $85 per hour for service and labor for the installation, plus $4 per foot for copper piping. The promotional rate for the first fill-up of propane would be $1.99 per gallon. The yearly tank rental is $75 plus tax. They offered a rate lock-in for refill at $2.39 per gallon, or I could lock-in just a rate cap of $2.59 per gallon. When I pressed for an estimate for the total installation cost, for a new construction home with 2 fireplaces, she estimated about $312.

Interesting that when I called, the fill rate for the first tank was 2.49 for gallon and they are offering you 1.99