Renting vs. Buying Propane Tanks
Propane tanks come in a variety of sizes, providing fuel for everything from cooking to heating water and home heating. When choosing a propane tank you'll often have the option to rent the tank or buy it. Whether renting or buying is best for you depends largely on your personal situation and how much use you expect to get out of the propane tank. Does this Spark an idea?
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Permanence
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Consider how permanent your use of the propane tank will be. The longer you will keep the tank on your property, the more likely it is that you'll benefit more from buying than renting. Along the same lines your decision may be limited by whether you rent or own your home and property; landlords may not want the tank to be a permanent fixture on the property, so you would be better off renting in this case.
Supplier Choice
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Purchased propane tanks give you a greater choice in regards to your propane supplier, since rented tanks generally contain an exclusive refill contract in the rental agreement. Some propane suppliers also offer refill discounts to those who rent tanks from them, however. If you are satisfied with your supplier then you may benefit from renting if they offer discounts to rental customers. If you want to buy propane from whichever supplier sells it for the lowest rate, then you will likely need to buy.
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Maintenance
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Some propane suppliers include tank maintenance in their rental agreements, meaning that they will perform any needed repairs or replacements at no additional cost to you. If you buy a propane tank, then you will have to pay for any professional repairs, inspection or replacement that is needed. If you're considering renting, then it's important that you find out whether the rental contract includes maintenance costs or not.
Other Considerations
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Other factors may influence your decision on whether renting or buying a propane tank is best for you. Rental companies may charge fines if you do not have your tank refilled on a regular schedule, and may require you to grant them access to your property so that they can inspect the tanks whenever they wish. Purchased tanks may include delivery or installation charges that would be covered in the rental agreement of rented tanks, but are more likely to be in new condition.
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References
- Photo Credit meine amerikanische gasflasche image by b1sch from Fotolia.com
