Before looking through “Do Shell Fill Propane Tanks?” let’s know about propane, first. Propane has hundreds, if not thousands, of applications and is employed as a propellant, a refrigerant, a motor fuel, and a petrochemical feedstock. The most common propane applications are in the house, in automobiles, and in businesses. It is utilized in a variety of recreational activities, such as caravans, boats, recreational vehicles, hot air balloons, and camping. Convenience stores, chain stores, and supermarket stores all have a large number of them. Most importantly, gas stations like Shell also fill propane tanks.
About Shell
For more than a century, Shell has represented the brand with its distinctive red and yellow colored emblem and has the largest footprint of any international oil and gas company. They have been promoting values and the quality of products and services that they provide all over the world. As one of the world’s largest and leading energy companies, Shell plays a critical role in meeting the world’s growing energy demand in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible manner. They have been in operation in the country for over 50 years, and they want to keep meeting society’s energy needs now and in the future in ways that are economically, socially, and environmentally sound.
Which is better – Exchanging or Refilling your propane tanks?
The typical cost of replacing a propane tank is between $5.00 and $6.00 per gallon. Most U-Haul propane refill facilities charge between $3.00 and $4.00 per gallon to replenish a propane tank. By replenishing your propane tank rather than exchanging it, you will save $1.76 a gallon on average.
Advantages of Propane Tank Exchange
- Usually, there are considerably more exchange places than filling stations.
- Convenience stores, petrol stations, chain stores, and grocery stores all have a large number of propane exchange services.
- The procedure is simple and quick.
- Services that bring exchange tanks to your house or office are available.
- It is simpler to locate an exchange facility that is open during unusual hours, on weekends, or throughout the night.
- The tank has been examined, cleaned, and leak-tested, and it is printed with up-to-date safety information and instructions.
- The tank will have also been requalified according to its timetable.
- You should be able to take up the matter with the seller if you receive a tank in return that has a leak or other problems.
Cons of exchanging a propane tank
It is less cost-effective. In two aspects, exchanging a propane tank is less cost-effective: higher per-gallon prices ($5-6 vs. $3-4 per gallon) and the possibility of not utilizing all of the propane before the swap.
Advantages of Refilling a Propane Tank
- Refilling a tank is less costly than exchanging it.
- Some folks have discovered that when they replenish their tanks rather than utilizing an exchange tank, they get more propane in them.
- It appears that adding merely 15 pounds to a 20-pound tank is standard procedure. As a result, you may be able to acquire more propane if you fill it to the 20-pound maximum, which still leaves a 20% vapor space for safety.
Cons of refilling a propane tank
- Convenience. Instead of going to your local hardware shop, gas station, or grocery store to get a new tank of propane when you need it, you’ll have to carry your tank to a retail facility set up for refills during regular business hours.
Tips for exchanging or Refilling propane tanks
Keep an eye on your weight. The empty tare weight (TW) of each tank varies, but the refilled tanks are all filled to the same total weight. Keep track of the tank’s expiration dates. Some filling stations refuse to refill tanks that are more than a certain age, some of which are more than five years old. Make a note of when your tank is about to expire.
Examine the state of the tank. Accept no tank that looks to be rusted or old, or that appears to be reaching the end of its useful life. The next time you want to trade it, the exchange site refuses to take it. When you’re replacing tanks, you must search for the one with the lowest weight, which will be displayed on the tank.
If your older tank is in excellent shape, you may get it recertified to extend its life, but you’ll have to look for a recertification center in your region.
You might be able to swap it with a newer one at certain home improvement stores or other sites, however, this service may come with a price. Purchase two at a time. Purchase two of the cheapest code-compliant empty tanks you can locate, then swap them for full tanks.
Conclusion
To conclude Shell does fill Propane Tanks. If you don’t mind taking a few extra minutes, replenishing is a far better alternative than relying on an exchange scheme since you can control how much propane goes in. You may even get a high-quality tank, a meter gauge and fill it as needed. Although both options have their pros and cons, it is up to you to decide. Exchanging or refilling propane tanks isn’t as hard as you think, with services that are available right at your door or you can just visit your nearest grocery store or gas station like Shell.
