1,000 Gallon Propane Tank Cost: Buy, Install & Refill

The large-home / cold-climate / one-fill-per-year tank size. Pricing across the lifecycle, dimensions, and the financial case for upsizing from 500 gallons.

Last verified 27 April 2026 · Sourced from EIA weekly residential propane price data

1,000-Gallon Tank: Cost Summary

Tank only (new)

$1,500 - $2,800

ASME-rated steel

Tank only (refurbished)

$1,000 - $2,000

Inspected, recertified

Full install (above-ground)

$1,800 - $3,500

Tank + labour + line + permit

Full install (underground)

$3,500 - $6,500

Plus excavation + coating

Annual rental

$150 - $250/year

Plus $0.30-$0.50/gal markup

Refill at national avg

$2,224 (800 gal)

Range $1,744 (TX) to $3,320 (HI)

1,000-Gallon Tank Specs

Length (above-ground horizontal)	~16 ft (192 inches)
Width / diameter	~41 inches
Height (with dome)	~51 inches
Weight empty	~1,800 lbs
Weight full (800 gal)	~5,200 lbs
Usable propane (80% rule)	800 gallons
Setback (above-ground from buildings)	25 feet (NFPA 58)
Setback (underground from buildings)	10 feet
Manufacturer lifespan	30-40 years

The 25-foot setback is significant. Verify your lot has space before committing to above-ground 1,000-gallon. Underground installation drops the requirement to 10 feet but adds $1,500-$3,000 to the install bill.

Why Upsize from 500 to 1,000 Gallons?

Volume discount. 800-gallon fills typically earn $0.05-$0.15/gal off vs 400-gallon fills. At 1,200 gal/year usage, that's $60-$180/year saved.
Fewer delivery trips. One annual fill instead of three. Saves time, eliminates winter-rush surcharges, and lets you negotiate harder on the single fill.
Summer pre-buy works fully. A 500-gallon tank can't hold a full year's usage; you'll still need a winter fill at peak prices. A 1,000-gallon tank can hold a full year's usage filled in May.
Generator backup capacity. Run-time during multi-day outages without a separate dedicated generator tank.
Resale value. A 1,000-gallon tank slightly increases home value vs 500-gallon, especially in cold-climate or rural markets where generator capacity matters.

Skip the upsize if your annual usage is under 1,000 gallons or if your lot can't accommodate the 25-foot setback. The extra capacity is wasted on light users.

1,000-Gallon Tank FAQ

How much does a 1,000-gallon propane tank cost?

A 1,000-gallon propane tank costs $1,500 to $2,800 for the tank alone, $1,800 to $3,500 fully installed above-ground, and $3,500 to $6,500 fully installed underground. A refill at the national average ($2.78/gal × 800 usable gallons) costs about $2,224. Cheapest state (Texas, $2.18/gal) refill: $1,744. Most expensive (Hawaii, $4.15/gal) refill: $3,320.

Is a 1,000-gallon tank worth the extra cost?

Yes if you use 1,500+ gallons annually or value fewer fills. The tank install premium (~$1,000 over a 500-gallon) typically pays back in 3-5 years through volume pricing ($0.05-$0.15/gal discounts on 800-gallon fills) plus reduced delivery surcharges. Larger tanks also enable summer pre-buying without running out before the cheap window — you can buy a full tank in May and not need a winter fill.

What are the dimensions of a 1,000-gallon propane tank?

A standard above-ground 1,000-gallon residential tank is approximately 16 feet long, 41 inches wide, and 51 inches tall (including the dome). It weighs about 1,800 pounds empty and 5,200 pounds full. Setback requirement is 25 feet from buildings, property lines, and ignition sources for above-ground tanks (vs 10 feet for 500-gal); 10 feet for underground.

How long does a 1,000-gallon propane tank last?

A 1,000-gallon tank holds 800 usable gallons. For whole-home heating (1,000-1,200 gal/year), that lasts about 8-10 months — typically one fill per year if filled in summer when prices are lowest. For homes using 1,500-2,000 gal/year (cold-climate large homes), expect to refill 2-3 times per year. Generator-only or supplemental-heat use can stretch a fill to 2-3 years.

Can I run a generator off the same 1,000-gallon tank as my furnace?

Yes, this is a common setup. Plumb the generator off the same supply line (with its own shutoff valve and pressure regulator). The 1,000-gallon size gives plenty of buffer for outage events: a 20kW generator at half load uses ~2 gal/hour, so 800 usable gallons supports 16-17 days of continuous operation even after the tank started a typical winter at 50% fill.

All tank sizes|500-gal tank cost|Tank install cost

About the author

Oliver Wakefield-Smith

Founder of Digital Signet, an independent research firm that builds data-led pricing and decision tools for US homeowners. PropaneCostPerGallon.com is built from the EIA's weekly residential propane survey, supplier-quoted retail rates, and real fill-up receipts collected from readers.

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