My 45kg bottles are replaced via my supplier only when I request a
replacement. I often find the changeover valve has operated during
cooler months when the sun doesn't hit the tanks there is product left
in the cylinder. My solution is to wait until spring/summer to get the
last out of the tank. Helps that I live alone and don't have too many
house guests over winter. 1 x 45kg lpg tank usually lasts between 6-8
months.
We found a similar issue..Our tanks are on the sth side of the house ,always fully shaded.
After a bit of messing around, found that only turning the tank in use. ( in effect Turn off the auto turn to full tank valve). And turn on the full tank when hot water doesnt heat or the hob doesnt light.. bit of a nuisance if in the shower, but usually happens other times. And if in the shower only maybe once a yr..
Now each tank gets fully MT and at least an extra 1 or 2 weeks out of a tank
.
It you ask your suppliers, or the truck driver, they will put a tag on your installation that says the tanks must be turned off as above.
From memory the regulations on transporting tanks 25kg and above must be carried vertically in a cage and may need approval/ certification to do so.
Exception is automotive tanks that require certified anchoring
and ventilation
.
We looked into rent or owning lpg tanks.. bottom line even thu the min bottle renal is 2 bottles, and seems expensive, the inconvenience of disconnecting, loading to take for refill, the cost of the refill gas, then home, manhandle into place is just not worth the time the money or effort.
Side note here on cost lpg.
If you turn over your tanks quick, your cost of lpg per tank is significantly lower than if turn them over a longer time.
The cost of your lpg is the cost of the gas inside plus the cost of the time you rent the tank ...more time your total cost of a tank goes up.
Therefore it maybe more prudent to swap a bottle 2x 9kg tanks every month
Another side note: putting in solar panals and have A rinnai on demand hot water. with solar panels the aim is to use and not return to the grid , as much power as possible. A battery will cost another 17K
You can store energy (what a battery does) by putting in say a 100 or 180L hot water cylinder ( a way to store energy) with a 2000w element. And excess kw can go to the HWC before going to the grid. If temp is below 65 deg it means the rinni unit gets pre heated water and uses less lpg
.
Which then means (above) even a 4 person household on lpg hot water and hob can easy go to 9kg bottles.
Anyone got a good 2nd hand 180L hwc they dont want?