When you’re a homeowner in New England, propane isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline. It heats your home, powers your stove, keeps your showers hot, and often runs your generator when the grid goes down. So when a propane company advertises “the cheapest price in town,” it’s tempting to jump on it.

But here’s the truth most companies won’t tell you: Cheap propane is rarely cheap. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive mistakes homeowners make.

At Tankfarm, we’ve inspected thousands of propane systems across New England. We’ve seen firsthand how low-priced propane contracts quietly rack up fees, safety issues, inefficiencies, and headaches that cost families far more than they ever saved on price per gallon.

Let’s break down why “cheap” propane ends up costing you more — and how to avoid the trap.

The Propane Pricing Game Nobody Explains

Most homeowners think propane pricing is simple: Lower price per gallon = better deal. That’s exactly what propane companies want you to believe.

But propane is sold using a web of hidden charges, contract traps, and operational shortcuts that turn a “cheap” price into an expensive nightmare over time.

Here are the most common ways discount propane companies make their money back.

1. Delivery Fees That Add Up Fast

A lot of low-price propane companies advertise an unbeatable per-gallon rate — then quietly add delivery fees, trip charges, fuel surcharges, and minimums every time they come to your home.

Instead of paying one transparent price, you end up paying:

  • Delivery fees
  • Administrative fees
  • Environmental fees
  • Fuel surcharges
  • Minimum delivery penalties

By the end of the year, your “cheap propane” may cost hundreds more than you expected — all without lowering your price per gallon by a penny.

Tankfarm does the opposite. We believe propane should be simple, fair, and predictable. No nickel-and-diming. No surprise charges.

2. Forced Deliveries You Don’t Control

Cheap propane companies often rely on degree-day algorithms instead of real tank data. That means they guess when you “should” need propane based on the weather — not your actual usage.

So what happens?

They show up when you don’t need fuel. They overfill your tank. They bill you at prices you didn’t choose.

Homeowners end up paying for propane months before they actually need it — locking in cash at the worst possible time.

Tankfarm uses modern logistics and monitoring to make sure you get propane when you need it, not when it benefits someone else’s cash flow.

3. Unsafe Systems Go Undetected

Here’s one of the scariest truths in the propane industry: Nearly 40% of the homes we visit have a safety issue that no one told them about.

Discount propane companies are built on speed, not safety. Drivers are pressured to drop fuel fast and move on. Nobody checks:

  • Regulators
  • Gas lines
  • Shutoff valves
  • Venting
  • Tank placement
  • Corrosion
  • Leak risks

And that’s how small issues turn into big problems — from system failures to carbon monoxide risks to catastrophic leaks.

At Tankfarm, every new customer gets a comprehensive propane system review. We don’t just drop fuel. We protect your home.

4. Cheap Propane Wrecks Your Equipment

Propane is clean. But bad propane delivery habits are not. When companies rush deliveries or skip inspections, they cause:

  • Moisture buildup
  • Regulator failures
  • Pressure problems
  • Appliance inefficiencies
  • Premature system wear

Your furnace works harder. Your water heater breaks sooner. Your generator becomes unreliable. You didn’t save money — you just shifted the cost from fuel to repairs.

Tankfarm’s approach keeps your system healthy, efficient, and reliable for the long haul.

5. Locked-In Contracts Kill Your Leverage

Many “cheap” propane offers come with long-term contracts, early termination fees, and tank ownership traps. Once you’re in, you’re stuck — even when prices spike, service drops, or your needs change. You lose your ability to shop. You lose your negotiating power. You lose control.

Tankfarm believes homeowners deserve freedom. Transparent pricing. No games. No traps.

Why Smart Homeowners Choose Tankfarm

Tankfarm isn’t trying to be the cheapest propane company. We’re trying to be the best.

That means:

  • Fair, transparent pricing
  • No hidden fees
  • No forced deliveries
  • Modern logistics
  • Real safety inspections
  • Honest technicians, not salespeople
  • A propane system that actually works when you need it

Our goal is simple: Make propane easier, safer, and more affordable over time. That’s how real savings are created — not through gimmicks, but through better systems.

Get the Truth About Your Propane System

If you’ve been lured by “cheap” propane, you may already be paying more than you think. The good news? You don’t have to guess.

Tankfarm offers a comprehensive propane system review where our technicians come to your home, inspect your setup, and show you exactly what’s going on — no pressure, no hard sell.

Whether you stay with your current provider or switch, you’ll finally have the facts.

Start saving today with Tankfarm

Because when it comes to propane, cheap isn’t always smart — but informed always is.