A First-Time Homeowner’s Guide to Using Propane

Welcome to homeownership! If your new place runs on propane, you may have questions about how everything works, how to manage deliveries, or what to do with that tank in the side yard. Propane is one of the most reliable and versatile home energy sources in the U.S., powering everything from furnaces and water heaters to ranges and backyard fire pits in homes across the country. 

Whether you are completely new to propane or just new to managing it yourself, this guide will walk you through the basics:

• Getting to Know Your Propane System – Understand the main parts of a residential propane setup and what to do first when you move in. 
• What to Do When You Move Into a Propane Home – A practical checklist for inheriting an existing propane system, plus safety basics every homeowner should know. 
• Common Propane Appliances in the Home – Identify the appliances propane can power and learn how to upgrade your setup. 
• What Influences How Much Propane Your Home Uses – The key factors that shape annual propane consumption. 
• Understanding Your Propane Delivery Options – Learn the difference between delivery service plans and choose the best option for your needs.

Getting to Know Your Propane System

Before anything else, take a few minutes to get familiar with what your propane system looks like and how it works. A typical residential setup includes three main parts: 

• The tank, which sits outdoors either above ground or buried underground.  
• The regulator, a small piece of equipment that controls the pressure of propane as it leaves the tank and travels to your appliances. 
• The gas lines, which carry propane from the tank into your home to power your appliances. 

When moving into a home with an existing propane system, a safety inspection by a qualified professional can help confirm the system is operating properly before regular use. If you lease or purchase a tank from Ferrellgas, a Service Technician will complete an inspection during the tank installation process. 

What to Do When You Move Into a Propane Home 

Inheriting a propane system can feel like a lot at first, but the process is more straightforward than you might think. Here is a practical checklist to work through during your first few weeks in the home: 

• Locate the propane tank and learn how to read the gauge so you know how much propane is in the tank at any given time. 
• Identify your propane appliances, both inside and outside the home. Your furnace, boiler, water heater, oven, range, dryer, fireplace, or generator may all run on propane. 
• Review your home's closing documents to determine whether the tank is owned or leased, then identify the current supplier. Take a picture of the data plate underneath your tank's lid for your records. Our guide to buying a home with a propane tank contains more information. 
• If you own the tank, set up an account with a trusted propane supplier like Ferrellgas. Schedule a safety inspection with a qualified professional. Ferrellgas handles this for lease customers and new tank installations. 
• Learn how to maintain and care for your propane tank and appliances. Our Tank Talk blogs have plenty of resources to help you build good habits from day one. 

Propane Safety Basics for New Homeowners 

Propane is a safe, well-regulated home energy source when handled correctly. A few habits will help you live with it confidently from day one: 

• Call 811 before you dig. Before any landscaping, fence installation, or digging project, contact 811 for help locating underground utility lines such as electricity, water, and sewer. Your propane supplier can identify where propane lines are buried. These steps help avoid accidental damage.  
• Do not attempt DIY repairs or adjustments. Any work on your propane system, appliances, or connections should be done by a qualified professional. 
• Install gas and carbon monoxide detectors for an additional measure of security. Choose models certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a nationally recognized safety organization, and install them in recommended locations. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for location, installation, testing, and maintenance. 
• Know what propane smells like. Propane has a strong “rotten egg” smell, thanks to an added chemical called ethyl mercaptan, which makes identifying leaks easier. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, act immediately. Leave the area right away, ensuring that everyone else does the same. Once you are at a safe distance, call 911 and Ferrellgas at 888-337-7355. Our team will respond as quickly and safely as possible. If it is safe to do so, turn off the main gas supply valve on your tank. To shut it off, turn the hand wheel clockwise until it stops. Do not return to the area until a professional has confirmed it is safe. Your safety is the top priority, so always wait for official clearance before going back. 
• Keep the path and area around your tank clear. Remove leaves, brush, snow, ice, and overgrown vegetation from at least 10 feet around your tank. Clear access helps our Delivery Drivers complete your fills safely and on time. 

For a deeper look at propane safety in the home, take a few minutes to review our safety resources and Propane Safety Brochure. 

Common Propane Appliances in the Home 

One of the things first-time propane homeowners often discover is just how many appliances run on propane. Take a look around your home and you may find several of these: 

• Furnaces and boilers 
• Water heaters
• Ovens, ranges, and cooktops 
• Clothes dryers 
• Fireplaces and fire pits 
• Standby or portable generators 

If you are interested in adding or upgrading the propane tank for your setup, Ferrellgas offers delivery, installation, and advice on tank size or how much propane you may need. 

Upgrading to Propane Appliances 

If you are thinking about upgrading or adding new propane appliances to your home, the process is more approachable than it may sound. Ferrellgas can help confirm your existing tank size is appropriate for additional appliance load and can install a larger tank if needed.  

Many homeowners may also qualify for propane appliance rebates through state, regional, or local programs, which can help offset the cost of installing new furnaces, water heaters, and other eligible equipment. 

If you are an existing Ferrellgas customer adding new propane appliances, log in to your MyFerrellgas.com account to update your usage information. Keeping your appliance details current helps us anticipate your delivery needs more accurately. 

What Influences How Much Propane Your Home Uses? 

This is one of the most common questions new homeowners have, and the honest answer is that it depends on several factors. Annual propane consumption typically varies based on: 

• Home size and insulation quality: Larger homes generally use more propane than smaller, well-insulated ones. 
• Number and type of propane appliances: A home with a propane furnace, water heater, and range will generally use more propane than a home running only a furnace. 
• Climate and seasonal temperature swings: Colder winters mean more propane usage, particularly for heating. 
• Household size and usage habits: More people in the home typically means more hot water, more cooking, and more overall demand. 
• Age and efficiency of propane equipment: Newer, more efficient appliances may use less propane than older models. 

Understanding Your Propane Delivery Options 

Once you are ready to set up service with Ferrellgas, getting started is simple. You can sign up online or call 888-337-7355 to speak with a Customer Service Professional. 

If your home's purchase agreement includes any propane leftover in the tank, that fuel now belongs to you. Talk with your propane supplier about the existing supply when you set up your account so it can be factored into your first delivery. 

Once your account is active, you will have two main delivery service options to choose from. Both are designed to fit different lifestyles and preferences. 

Will Call Delivery Service 

With Will Call delivery service, you monitor your tank level and contact Ferrellgas to schedule a delivery whenever you need a refill. This option gives you full control over when you order. 

Customers who self-manage their propane orders should request a delivery well before the tank gets low. Waiting too long can leave you scrambling, especially during winter or other periods of high demand. Ferrellgas offers expedited deliveries for an additional fee, but availability is limited. For more information about expedited deliveries, visit our FAQs page. 

Ferrellgas customers have multiple ways to order:  

• Text ORDER to 573-207-5975** 
• Log in to MyFerrellgas.com 
• Call 888-337-7355 

Auto Fill Delivery Service 

If you prefer less day-to-day management, Auto Fill delivery service* is the more convenient option. Ferrellgas monitors your usage patterns and local weather data to estimate when you are ready for a fill, then schedules the delivery automatically.  

While Auto Fill customers are not required to inspect their tank percentages prior to each fill, it is still important to check your propane level from time to time, especially during periods of unusually high usage, such as adverse weather events. 

*Qualification and active credit status are required for Auto Fill delivery service. 

Getting Started with Ferrellgas 

Settling into a propane home does not have to be complicated. Once you know the basics, propane becomes one of those reliable parts of homeownership that quietly does its job. And whenever you have questions or need support, our team is here to help. 

Ready to set up service or learn more? Call 888-337-7355 to speak with a Customer Service Professional, find a nearby location, or sign up online to get started.