the Cost of Heating Oil Refills

We do not have central heat and air, so our heat is entirely from propane. We also use propane for our cook stove. This is a big plus when our rural electricity goes out (which it does during most storms of any sort). We usually fill our tank once during the fall and twice during the winter. The price fluctuates with the market, but the last time we filled up (in January) the price was $384 for 150 gallons.

We own our own tank so we can theoretically pick whoever we want to fill it but accordinging to Arkansas law, if you ever run totally out of propane or use a different supplier, you must have a pressure check test which runs $37.

Usually we are able to get our propane the same day we order it unless they already have a lot of deliveries scheduled. We have a lot of chicken houses in our area, and if they are scheduled for delivery, you will have to wait.

Always check to see if there is a minimum amount needed for delivery. In past years we had been able to get as little as 50 gallons worth delivered, but lately that has increased to 100 gallons.

If, like us, you don't have to get a delivery every month, average out how much you spend per year in propane and then divide it by 12 months for how much you should allot each month, just like a regular utility bill.