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Hopkins Propane Answers Our Customers’ Propane FAQs

Whether you’re a current or new customer, chances are you have some questions about propane delivery, proper propane tank maintenance, and using this energy source to power your appliances. Hopkins Propane has been supplying homes and businesses around Shelbyville, MI with propane supply for more than 60 years, and we’re proud to share our knowledge with customers to help get the most out of their propane use.

What do I need to have done before I can have propane service?

You need to have a 3/4″ in diameter black iron pipe stubbed out of your home/building that is 18″ above ground and stubbed out 3″. (This is usually done by a licensed and insured heating or plumbing contractor). Or, we can adapt to a 1″ diameter black iron pipe if you think you may convert to Natural Gas in the future. If you are building a new home, the propane tank will come after the home has electric service and all propane appliances have been installed.

What size propane tank do I need?

For home heating, we recommend a 475 or 500 gallon propane tank and for commercial, agricultural, autogas, fill station, or church usage, we recommend a 1,000 gallon size propane tank. We also have smaller tanks available for uses such as water heaters, dryers, and barn heat, etc.

What if my appliance is set up to use Natural Gas?

Our Service Technicians are trained to convert appliances set up for Natural Gas to Propane. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What are my payment options?

Based on a credit report, you may pay your bill within 30 days from the date of delivery with a check, money order, cash, Visa, MasterCard, or you may choose to be on our Budget Plan. Our Budget Plan starts in June and ends the following year in May.

Each customer pays a different amount per month based on previous and projected usage, so please contact our office to see what is best for you. Or, if the account is set up as Cash-In-Advance, we do require the payment to be on the account prior to dispatching the propane delivery request.

What if I need help with paying for a propane delivery?

There are numerous agencies in the area that may be able to offer payment assistance. We have created a list of agencies and organizations within western Michigan which may be able to help with a previous or upcoming delivery.

The State of Michigan also has a website which provides information on the Home Heating Credit, State Energy Relief, and Weatherization programs. You may also visit www.heatingmyhome.org for additional agency information within Michigan.

How do I know when I need more propane?

Hopkins propane gaugeThere is a gauge on the top of the tank under the lid which shows the percent of propane remaining in the tank. If you are on our Automatic-Fill program, we use a Degree-Day system which allows us to forecast when to make a delivery. Our Delivery Representatives generally come to refill the tank when the gauge reads between 20%-30% full. Or, you may choose to have the tank filled on a Will-Call basis, meaning you monitor the tank level and call us when the gauge reads between 20%-30% full. You may also place an order online.

What if I suspect a propane leak?

You will definitely know if a propane tank is leaking by the pungent, “rotten-egg” smell of propane. (An odorant is added to propane for safety). If you think a propane tank may be leaking:

  1. Put out all smoking materials and any other open flames
  2. Do not operate any appliances, switches, or thermostats
  3. Get everyone outside and away from gas equipment
  4. Shut off the gas supply using the shutoff valve at the tank or cylinder (turn clockwise to the right)
  5. Call us: 1-800-427-8969 (we have 24-hour Emergency Service) – use your neighbor’s phone if gas smell is in the house
  6. Stay outside and leave the gas off until the leak has been found and fixed.

Do you offer Pre-Buy or Price-Cap Options?

Yes we do! Each year in June we offer Pre-Buy and Price-Cap options for our customers with a 475 gallon or larger tank using more than 500 gallons of propane per heating season (September-April). The Pre-Buy program allows you to purchase at least 500 gallons of propane each year before June 30th at a very competitive price, whereas the Price-Cap program allows you to pay a Membership Fee to “cap” your price of propane for the current heating season.  Please visit our Pricing Programs page for additional information or contact us today.

How many gallons of propane are in my tank?

If you know the size of your tank (generally 57, 120, 200, 250, 325, 475, 500, or 1000 gallon), you may take the percent reading on the gauge and multiply it by the tank size. For example: If a 500 gallon propane tank’s gauge reads 25%, there is approximately 125 gallons of propane remaining in the tank (500 x .25 = 125).

Please keep in mind the gauges can vary 5- 10% due to the temperature (i.e. if it is hot outside or if the tank is in the sun, the gauge will read higher than if it is cold outside).

Where can I set my propane tank?

General guidelines on where tanks of various sizes can be placed are found in the images below.  We also ask that the tank be placed within 75 feet of the driveway for easy access to refill. Please be sure to contact us for specific tank placement information.

tankdiagram

 

Where can I set my propane tank Shelbyville, MI?

Underground propane tank installation in Shelbyville, MI

Propane tank installation in Shelbyville, MI

 

 

Do you service campgrounds like Sandy Pines, Triponds, or Hidden Ridge RV Resort?

Yes!  We provide propane tanks for guests within Sandy Pines and Triponds so they may enjoy the warm comforts and reliability of propane while camping.  Guests within Hidden Ridge RV Resort can rest easy leaving their motorhomes connected while receiving on-site propane refills throughout the season.  Please contact us for more information and current pricing.

Do you offer Remote Tank Monitoring?

Yes, we do! Increase your peace-of-mind and keep your family comfortable with remote propane tank monitoring for $60 per year.  Subscribe to our Remote Tank Monitoring (RTM) service to:

  • -Avoid Run-outs (it’s great for seasonal homes, generators, pool usage, and those wanting the convenience of not having to check the gauge)
  • -Save Energy & Money (no more costly run-outs)
  • -Monitor Your Tank When Away (reliable cellular signal reports percent readings every six hours)
  • -See your tank level from your iPhone or Android device! (A convenient app is available for download to your smartphone)

Click here to see more information/sign up or contact our office today to let us know you’d like a Remote Tank Monitor.

Remote Tank Monitoring by Hopkins Propane

How has Hopkins Propane responded to the coronavirus?

We fully understand the impact COVID-19 has had on families across the country. We are dedicated to doing what we can to minimize the spread and create a safe environment for employees and customers while delivering propane for the benefit of all. As an organization with a heavy focus on safety, we’ve included steps to keep everyone healthy. These include complete sterilization of delivery truck cabins before each shift, touchless delivery and customer interactions, frequent handwashing, and use of hand sanitizer before and after any customer interaction while keeping a safe distance.

Will my propane delivery be delayed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak?

We are proud to say that we have not had any delays or shortages for our customers’ delivery services. Government regulations have increased the hours we can service our delivery clients to ensure there is no interruption in service.

How can I use propane if I don’t have propane-powered appliances?

Propane’s use goes far beyond in-home appliances. One of the most common is outdoor grilling because it is a convenient and efficient source to heat your grill more quickly than charcoal. Other outdoor uses include powering outside lights, patio heaters, fire pits, and more.

How do I become a Hopkins Propane customer?

Just give us a call! Becoming a customer is easy. You can contact us by phone, email, or by filling out our contact form online.

How do I maintain my tank?

As a homeowner, the most important step to properly maintaining your propane tank is to keep it free and clear of any grass or shrubs growing up around it. It’s also important not to use the immediate area around the tank for storage. Keeping your tank free and clear of these things allows our crew to ensure your tank is in good condition and working correctly at each delivery.

Can I lock my tank dome cover?

Never lock the dome cover of the tank. The emergency shut-off valve for the entire system is located under the dome cover and needs to be accessed quickly and easily in case of an emergency. The cover is there to protect valves and fittings from the weather but should not be locked. You can find additional propane safety tips here.

Why isn’t my tank filled up to 100% capacity?

Propane expands with warmer temperatures. The industry standard is to fill tanks to 80% capacity, which we follow for all customers. It’s essential to give the propane room to expand when necessary.

28 Responses to Propane Tank FAQs and Services in Shelbyville, MI

  1. Dietrich Schellenberg says:

    I am a hopkins propane customer. I want to put in a deck/patio over the line from our tank to house. Is there any way you can send someone out to flag or identify where the line is so I don’t rupture it while digging for post holes?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Great question! We would be happy to mark out your gas line at no charge (please note: Miss Dig is not able to mark out our customers’ gas lines). I will follow up directly with you and ask a bit more information because there are instances where you may not want anything over a gas line (thinking of how to access and repair the line in the event of a leak). Thank you! ~Lindsay

  2. Garry Vandenberg says:

    do you have an annual tank rental fee?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hi Garry, thank you for your inquiry. The short answer is “it depends” 🙂 For the majority of our customers with a 475 gallon or larger tank using over 500 gallons per year, there is no tank rental fee. All of our smaller tanks (120 gallon or less) have a rental fee, as little as $20 per year, regardless of usage to help cover our insurance and maintenance costs.

      I will follow up via email with additional information based on your particular tank size. Thank you again and have a great day! ~Lindsay

  3. John Pacelli says:

    “Are gauges available that are able to be connected to WiFi”

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hello Mr. Pacelli,

      Thank you for asking about WiFi gauges and that is a great question. The gauges themselves are not able to connect to WiFi (no source of power) but there are options so that you can connect your gauge to a device that will connect to your WiFi. Here is one example: http://www.tankutility.com/residential-propane-tank-monitor/ This particular tank monitor will allow you to see your current level on your smartphone and you would still need to contact us to place an order (such as via http://www.hopkinspropane.com/order).

      We do offer a tank monitoring solution where, for $60 per year, we will automatically refill your tank as needed–no need to check an app or contact us to order. Our tank monitoring solution works off of a cellular signal and so there is no worry if you were to lose power or WiFi connectivity. This really is the ultimate Worry-Free Automatic-Fill solution that is perfect for seasonal or secondary homes, generator usage, or homes with multiple heat sources 🙂

      Please reach out to us if you may have any additional questions or for more information: hp@hopkinspropane.com or 1-800-427-8969. Thank you!

  4. Teresa Patrick says:

    If I move and I have a full tank will I get a credit or is the tank moved?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hi Teresa,

      Thank you for reaching out to us. If you sell your home, the propane in the tank would actually go along with the sale of the home unless other written arrangements are made between you and the buyer. If you’re renting, then you would need to work out any potential credit with the home owner. We would be more than happy to set a tank for you at your new residence, and please keep in mind, we’re currently offering a First-Fill special to those qualified 🙂

      Please feel free to follow up with details on your particular situation via email at hp@hopkinspropane.com or by giving our office a call at 1-800-427-8969.

      Thank you again and have a great day!

  5. Edward L Davidson says:

    How much would it cost to refill a 500 gal tank

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hi Edward,

      Thank you for contacting us. The cost to refill a 500 gallon tank depends on a few factors such as: (1) What percent the tank is on currently, (2) How many gallons you’d like to order, and (3) The current rate per gallon. Two additional things to keep in mind are that each company can only refill their own propane tanks (or those owned outright by customers with the proper documentation) and market pricing does fluctuate. Here is a link to the average propane rates in the State of Michigan to give you an idea of the current average market pricing: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/PET_PRI_WFR_DCUS_SMI_W.htm.

      Please feel free to reach us directly at hp@hopkinspropane.com or 1-800-427-8969 and we would be more than happy to accurately figure a refill cost estimate for you. Thank you!

  6. Rita says:

    I received a Home Heating Credit (Energy Draft) from the State of Michigan. Are you a participating provider?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hello Rita,
      Thank you for contacting us regarding Energy Drafts. We are a participating provider and can accept those from our customers (you must be a current customer in order for us to accept an Energy Draft as payment on your account). Thank you again for your inquiry 🙂

  7. Tina Allen says:

    From the comment above I also received an Energy Draft what do I need to do to be able to use it when I need my tank filled. I have been a customer for many years.

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hello Tina,
      Thank you for contacting us regarding an Energy Draft. Please sign it and mail it in to us as soon as possible. We will apply it to your account similarly as if you’re mailing us a check payment. Please be sure to mail it into us before the expiration date (they expire annually) and we’ll keep the credit on your account until you’re ready to use it. Thank you!

  8. Brent Eklund says:

    I am looking at purchasing a house in your service area. It currently runs on heating oil, and has a buried tank. What are my options for converting to propane? Thank you for your help.

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hello Brent, Thank you for reaching out to us and congratulations on purchasing a new home in West Michigan. You will want to reach out to a heating and plumbing contractor who can start the process to install a new propane furnace in your home. Once the furnace has been installed and the black pipe has been stubbed out, we’ll then come set and hook up our propane tank. Please keep in mind that our schedule does fill up quickly and so you’ll want to give us about two weeks’ notice to schedule a tank installation. Please reach out to us at hp@hopkinspropane.com for specific pricing and scheduling details. Thank you!

  9. larry says:

    Do you offer propane tanks to natural gas residents for use of a backup generator?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Hello Larry, Thank you for reaching out to us regarding propane tanks for generator usage. We do sell 325 gallon tanks to those interested in propane for their generators and would be more than happy to provide pricing information. With that being said, there are additional questions that need to be addressed if you are located within a natural gas supply area :-). Please reach out to us directly at hp@hopkinspropane.com or give us a call at 1-800-427-8969 for more information. Thank you!

  10. Thanks for explaining that we can figure out how many gallons are in the propane tank if we take the percent on the gauge and multiply it by the tank size. I’ve been trying to learn more about how propane works to see if it’d be a good option for my home. Your explanation about propane tanks was really helpful!

  11. Hazel Owens says:

    That’s good to know that if you want to have a propane service you need to have a pipe sticking 3″ out of your home that is 18″ above the ground. This is helpful since my husband and I want to move to more natural heating sources to help the environment. We’ll have to look into getting a pipe like this installed and then find a propane delivery service that can come and fill it up.

  12. Mike H. says:

    Are all propane providers in Michigan required to provide the customer with a metered slip/ticket showing how much fuel was delivered to the residence?

  13. Jeff Gunnett says:

    A person claiming to be a Hopkins Propane representative contacted us via phone and requested to come to our home to inspect and record all of our gas appliances. Is this a a valid service that Hopkins Propane provides and if so, what is the purpose of inspecting/recording our appliances?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      Jeff,

      Yes this is something we would ask if we find that we didn’t have a record of the appliances in your home. We record the appliance information when setting up a customer to ensure we know what appliances run on gas and what the overall gas load would be. In your case, we were unable to get all this information when your tank was set because not all appliances were installed yet at the time we did the tank set. We add a note in these instances to follow up so we can record the appliance information once the appliance have been installed.

      Let us know if you have any further questions on this.

      Regards,

      Vaughn Hayes
      Director of Operations

  14. Chance Cook says:

    It makes sense for the payment to be on account before sending out the propane for delivery. This helps the propane companies avoid losing products and not making money. Which is sad that people still try to do this but I am glad they are being cautious about it.

  15. Dave and Jo says:

    We heat with wood and supplement with propane. Is there a minimum use fee or requirement?

    • Hopkins Propane says:

      There is no minimum use fee, but we do charge tank rent on any tanks that aren’t using at least the capacity of the tank per year. So if we have a 500 gallon tank on site, then the usage would need to be 500 gallons annually to avoid tank rent. We try to size the tank to the usage to avoid tank rent, so we could set a smaller tank to provide the capacity that you would need.

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