About Propane
What is propane?
Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, is a clean-burning alternative fuel that is a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. It is stored as a liquid under pressure inside a tank and released as a vapor when you use it to power your appliances. Propane is nontoxic, colorless, and virtually odorless in its natural state.
Where does propane come from?
About 90% of the propane used in the United States is produced domestically, making it a stable, reliable, American-made energy source.
How is propane used in the home?
Propane is one of the most versatile home fuels available. Common residential uses include:
- Whole-home heating (furnaces and boilers)
- Water heating (tank and tankless water heaters)
- Cooking (ranges, cooktops, ovens)
- Fireplaces, fire pits, and patio heaters
- Clothes dryers
- Pool and spa heaters
- Standby and backup generators
- Outdoor grills and kitchens
Is propane more efficient than electricity?
Yes. Propane burns cleanly and delivers more BTUs per unit of fuel, which translates directly into higher efficiency and lower operating costs. A modern propane furnace can be up to 95% efficient, and a propane water heater can reach up to 98% efficiency. Compared with coal-fired electric generation, which typically operates around 28% efficiency once transmission losses are included, propane provides dramatically more usable heat per dollar.
Is propane environmentally responsible?
Propane is one of the cleanest conventional fuels available. It burns far cleaner than home heating oil, kerosene, or grid electricity generated from fossil fuels, and it is not classified as a greenhouse gas. If propane is ever released from a tank, it vaporizes and dissipates into the air rather than contaminating soil or groundwater the way liquid fuels can.
How does propane compare in cost?
Propane pricing fluctuates with the wholesale market, but H.J. Poist ties our retail pricing to the Mont Belvieu wholesale benchmark. That means when our costs go down, your price goes down too. No hidden markups, no surprises.
Propane Safety
Is propane safe?
Yes. Propane is one of the most heavily regulated fuels in the country. Every aspect of production, storage, transportation, and delivery is governed by strict federal rules under the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Fire Protection Association. Tanks are engineered with multiple built-in safety features including pressure-relief valves and excess-flow devices and H.J. Poist technicians are certified to install, inspect, and service your system to the highest industry standards.
What does propane smell like?
Propane is naturally odorless, so a chemical odorant called ethyl mercaptan is added at the point of production. Most people describe the smell as rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. It is deliberately unpleasant so that even a small leak is easy to detect.
What should I do if I smell gas in or around my home?
Treat every propane odor as a potential emergency and act immediately. Follow these steps:
- NO FLAMES OR SPARKS. Put out all smoking materials and open flames. Do not operate light switches, appliances, telephones, cell phones, doorbells, or garage door openers — a single spark can ignite escaped gas.
- LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY. Get everyone, including pets, out of the building or area where you suspect the leak.
- SHUT OFF THE GAS if it is safe to do so. Turn the main supply valve on top of your propane tank clockwise (to the right) to close it.
- REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other safe location away from the leak, call H.J. Poist. If you cannot reach us, call 911 or your local fire department.
- DO NOT RETURN to the building or area until H.J. Poist, emergency responders, or a qualified service technician determines it is safe.
- GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED before using any appliances again. A qualified technician must confirm that the entire system is leak-free before service is restored.
How often should my propane system be serviced?
H.J. Poist recommends a professional gas safety inspection at least once a year, as well as any time you add or replace an appliance, reconnect service after an extended shutoff, or suspect a problem. Our master gas fitters can pressure-test your lines, inspect connections, check regulator performance, and verify that every appliance is operating safely and efficiently.
Where should my propane tank be located?
Tank placement is governed by NFPA 58 and Maryland state code, and the required clearances depend on the size of the tank. As a general rule, larger above-ground tanks (250 gallons and up) must be at least 10 feet from your home, 10 feet from property lines, and 10 feet from any source of ignition such as an A/C compressor, dryer vent, window, or door. Our installation team handles all code compliance, permit coordination, and site selection so you never have to guess.
Delivery
What propane delivery options does H.J. Poist offer?
We offer two flexible delivery options so you can choose the experience that best fits your household:
Will-Call Delivery. You monitor your own tank gauge and contact us when you’d like a refill. This is ideal for hands-on homeowners with lower volume uses like grills, fireplaces, or seasonal patio heaters.
Automatic Delivery with Remote Tank Monitoring.
Our most accurate, most carefree option. A state-of-the-art tank monitor that uses cellular data reports the fill level directly to our dispatch team, and a delivery is triggered automatically when levels drop. This is the most popular option for homeowners who heat with propane.
How do I know how much propane is in my tank?
Above-ground residential tanks have a gauge on top (usually under a protective dome) that reads as a percentage from 5% to 95%. Tanks are filled to 80% to allow room for thermal expansion, so a “full” tank reads 80%. We recommend scheduling a refill when your gauge drops to 30% and arranging an urgent delivery if it falls below 20%. If you use Remote Tank Monitoring, you don’t have to check at all, we handle it for you.
What if I run out of propane?
Call H.J. Poist immediately. Don’t attempt to restart your appliances yourself. When a tank runs completely empty, Maryland law requires a certified technician to perform a leak check and re-light each appliance before service can resume. This is a safety requirement, not a company policy. Peace of Mind Plan customers are guaranteed never to run out, which is a significant benefit of the program.
Do I need to be home for a delivery?
In most cases, no. As long as our driver has safe, unobstructed access to your tank fill point and any gates or dogs are secured, we can deliver without you being present. We’ll leave a delivery ticket showing gallons delivered, price per gallon, and the updated tank level. For initial installations, system restarts after a run-out, and any service work, an adult 18 or older must be home.
How fast can I get a delivery?
Routine Will-Call deliveries are typically scheduled within 3–5 business days. Scheduled and monitored deliveries are dispatched based on your tank level. For true emergencies (e.g. no heat, no hot water, or a tank below 10% in cold weather) we offer same-day and next-day service; Peace of Mind Plan members always move to the front of the line.
The H.J. Poist Peace of Mind Plan
What is the Peace of Mind Plan?
The Peace of Mind Plan is H.J. Poist’s premium residential program designed to take propane off your list of things to worry about. For a single annual enrollment fee, Peace of Mind members receive guaranteed supply, priority service, protected pricing, and a handful of exclusive extras all backed by our 24/7/365 local Customer Care team.
What’s included in the Peace of Mind Plan?
- Guaranteed supply – you will never run out of propane as a Peace of Mind member
- Protected price per gallon over our cost
- VIP priority service, including front-of-the-line emergency response
- Free Remote Tank Monitoring – our most accurate, most carefree delivery option
- Flexible payment options, including pay-by-delivery and online payment
- Automatic entry into our annual drawing for a full year’s supply of free propane
- Direct access to our locally based Customer Care team, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
How does the Peace of Mind price protection work?
Standard customers pay a market-based price that can move up and down with wholesale propane costs. Peace of Mind members receive member-only pricing which is a lower fixed margin over H.J. Poist’s cost, so you benefit when wholesale prices fall .Every price we charge is tied to the transparent Mont Belvieu wholesale benchmark, with no hidden adjusters or surcharges.
How much does the Peace of Mind Plan cost?
Peace of Mind enrollment is a flat annual fee that is far less than the cost of a single emergency run-out service call. Call our Customer Care team to learn more.
Is there a contract or long-term commitment?
The Peace of Mind Plan is an annual membership, not a multi-year lock-in. We believe the program’s benefits speak for themselves, and our customer retention reflects that. Full terms are provided at enrollment.
Billing, Payment & Pricing
How is my propane price determined?
H.J. Poist ties its retail propane pricing to the Mont Belvieu wholesale benchmark which is the same transparent index used across the industry. When wholesale costs fall, your price falls with them. Our pricing philosophy is simple: fair, transparent, and the same for your neighbor as it is for you.
What payment options are available?
- Pay-by-Delivery – this is our most flexible option, paying by delivery allows you to pay for each delivery for the amount of propane delivered, Payments can be made online with credit or debit card, over the phone with our Customer Care Team, or by check.
- Budget Billing – Avoid fluctuating bills! We will work with you to project yearly costs and distribute your payments over 11 months, simplifying your budget.
Can I pay my bill online?
Yes. Visit hjpoist.com and click “My Account” at the top of any page and log into our customer portal. You can view your current balance, review recent invoices, and pay securely with a credit or debit card. If you don’t have an online account yet, Customer Care can walk you through the setup in just a few minutes.
Do you offer budget or monthly payment plans?
Yes. For customers who would rather spread their annual propane cost across even monthly payments, we offer a budget payment option that smooths out the seasonal peaks and valleys of winter heating. Contact Customer Care to enroll.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. We publish our fees up front and disclose them at enrollment. Standard charges you may encounter include annual tank rental (for leased tanks), a regulatory compliance fee, and service fee that covers delivery, fuel surcharge and compliance.
Tanks, Equipment & Installation
What size propane tank do I need?
The right size depends on how you use propane and how much storage you want between deliveries. As a rough guide: a 120-gallon tank handles grills, fireplaces, and light cooking; a 500-gallon tank is the most common size for whole-home heating; and a 1,000-gallon tank is typical for large homes, generators, or pool heating. Our installation team will assess your home, BTU load, and usage patterns to recommend the right size.
Do I own or rent my tank?
Both options are available. Many H.J. Poist residential customers lease their tank from us, which keeps upfront costs low and means we handle all maintenance, code compliance, and eventual replacement. Customers who prefer to own their tank outright can purchase one from us or have an existing owner-tank serviced. Keep in mind that tank ownership also means responsibility for inspections and regulator replacement over time.
Who installs my propane tank and appliances?
H.J. Poist’s PERC-certified technicians and master gas fitters handle every installation from start to finish. Our scope includes site assessment when needed, permitting, tank setting, underground or above-ground line runs, regulator installation, leak check, and final commissioning.
Can I convert my existing home to propane?
Absolutely! It’s one of the most common projects we handle. Whether you’re switching from oil, electric, or an all-electric new build, we’ll walk you through tank sizing, line routing, and the permit process. Many propane appliances qualify for utility rebates or federal efficiency tax credits; we’re happy to point you toward the current programs.
I’m buying or selling a home with a propane tank - what do I need to know?
First, identify who owns the tank: if it’s leased from a propane company, the lease typically transfers only if the new homeowner opens an account with that provider. Second, schedule a final read and account closeout with your current provider before settlement. Third, have the new owner set up service and a tank inspection before move-in so there’s no gap in heat or hot water. H.J. Poist’s Customer Care team handles these transitions every day. Give us a call and we’ll coordinate everything.
Service Area & Customer Support
Where does H.J. Poist deliver?
We are headquartered in Laurel, Maryland, and our residential delivery area covers Howard County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Frederick County, Calvert County, Charles County and St. Mary’s County.
How do I become a new customer?
Starting service is easy. Call or email our Customer Care team or complete the contact form at hjpoist.com. A representative will gather a few details about your home and usage, schedule a free site visit if needed, and walk you through tank options, delivery choices, and Peace of Mind enrollment. Most new residential customers with existing tanks are up and running within 48 hours.
Is H.J. Poist open 24 hours?
Our administrative offices keep standard weekday business hours, but our Customer Care and emergency dispatch lines are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you have a gas odor, a no-heat emergency, or a tank at critical levels, call us at any hour — a real person, locally based, will answer.
What makes H.J. Poist different from the national propane companies?
We’ve been a family-owned Maryland business since 1937, and we still answer to the neighbors we serve not to a distant corporate parent. That shows up in small ways (our Customer Care team knows your name) and in big ways (transparent pricing, PERC-certified technicians, 24/7 local dispatch, and a community that has trusted us for three generations). We promise reliable service, fair and transparent pricing, and the kind of accountability that only comes from living and working in the same community as our customers.
Emergency Contact
H.J. Poist Gas Company
For a gas odor, suspected leak, no-heat emergency, or tank critically low in cold weather, move to a safe location and call H.J. Poist immediately. Our emergency line is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you cannot reach us and believe you have an active leak or fire, call 911.
H.J. Poist Gas Company
360 Main Street, Laurel, MD 20707
Phone: (301) 725-3232
