On average it costs between $20 to $30 to fill a propane tank in Canada.
Owning a re-fillable propane tank in Canada is essential for backyard barbecues, heating, and operating small machinery and equipment.
The standard propane tank used in Canadian households is a refillable 20 lb tank.
These tanks will hold approximately 4.7 gallons or 17.8 litres of propane.
Unfortunately, these propane tanks need to be refilled if you frequently use them, particularly in the summer during barbecue season.
The price to refill depends on where you live and which outlet you attend.
Below is pricing for Ontario and BC.
Price of Propane in Ontario
The average price of refilling a 20 lb propane tank in Ontario ranges between about $18 to $30 depending on where you go.
Remember that the price of propane refills is usually per litre of propane and 17.8 litres fit into a 20 lb propane tank.
The cost will fluctuate throughout the year depending on the price of propane.
| Retail Outlet | Size of Propane Tank | Cost to Refill |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Tire | 20 lb | $25 |
| Costco | 20 lb | $18 |
| Gas Stations | 20 lb | $25 – $30 |
| U-Haul | 20 lb | $24 |
| Home Depot | 20 lb | $25 |
Price of Propane in British Columbia
Similar to Ontario, the average price of refilling a 20lb propane tank in BC ranges between about $18 to $30 depending on where you go.
Remember that the price of propane refills is usually per litre of propane and 17.8 litres fit into a 20 lb propane tank.
The cost will fluctuate throughout the year depending on the price of propane.
| Retail Outlet | Size of Propane Tank | Cost to Refill |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Tire | 20 lb | $25 |
| Costco | 20 lb | $18 |
| Gas Stations | 20 lb | $25 – $30 |
| U-Haul | 20 lb | $22.25 |
| Home Depot | 20 lb | $19.99 |
| Lowe’s | 20 lb | $20 |
How Does Propane Pricing Work in Canada?
Propane is a commodity and therefore the price is set by the propane commodities market and not by individual resellers.
Just as with gas stations, propane resellers can set different prices based on the store’s target profit margin.
For example, Costco usually has lower gas and propane prices because it can make up for the lower margin with high volume and by using it to drive retail sales.
Costco also has an annual membership charge.
Other factors can impact the price of propane in Canada.
These include things like transportation costs and local or Provincial taxes.
This is why even though the price of propane is set by the market, there can be a difference in how much it costs to refill your propane tank depending on the Province you are in.
How to Save on Filling a Propane Tank?
If you are looking to save a few bucks while re-filling your propane tank, there are some measures that you can take.
Shop around at different retailers to determine the lowest prices for propane.
As you can see from our tables above, different retailers will provide different prices.
Gas stations are typically the highest price.
Visit a retailer that offers membership pricing like Costco.
If you already use Costco for grocery shopping or gasoline, then saving with propane refills will only improve the value of your annual membership.
Seasonality can also have an impact on the price you pay to refill your propane tank in Canada. During the winter months, propane and other fuels are in high demand as they can be used for heating.
Alternatively, propane demand is relatively low in the summer.
Despite most households using propane for barbecues, summertime is often the offseason for propane prices.
Where you refill your propane tank matters as well.
If you are in a rural area of Canada, the lone propane fuel station can easily charge a higher cost than if you are in a suburban area.
It might require a bit of a drive, but you can usually find lower prices in areas that are more populous.
