Fleet expenses remain one of the most complex and closely reviewed cost areas for propane businesses, and decisions made this year will directly affect 2026 tax outcomes. Maintenance work, tire replacements, inspections, and driver overtime all create legitimate deductions, but only if records are detailed, organized, and easy to verify. As fleets age, routes grow… Continue reading Tracking Fleet Costs Now for Smarter 2026 Tax Deductions
Reliable propane service depends on more than supply and delivery schedules. It also depends on what customers know about how propane systems work and how their own usage habits affect performance. As weather patterns grow less predictable and customers rely on propane for more applications, their education has become a key part of reliability. When… Continue reading How Education Helps Customers Use Propane More Reliably
When people think of propane demand, winter heating often comes to mind first. But another major source of year-round demand comes from agricultural uses. Farms and other agricultural operations rely on propane not just during the colder months, but throughout the year. This steady need helps keep propane sales active even when average residential deliveries… Continue reading Agriculture’s Year-Round Role in Keeping Propane Sales Strong
For years, remote tank monitoring was seen as a nice add-on for propane companies that wanted to experiment with new technology. That view is changing fast. Rising delivery costs, tighter labor markets, and higher customer expectations are pushing propane businesses to rethink how they manage gallons in the field. At the same time, weather volatility… Continue reading Why Tank Monitoring Is Becoming a Standard, Not a Luxury
As 2026 unfolds, propane businesses are making key decisions that will directly affect their cash flow for the new year – from fleet upgrades to storage improvements and financing plans. This year also brings welcome clarity on the tax side. Recent federal tax changes have permanently extended the 20% qualified business income deduction for pass-through… Continue reading Could Your Business Save More With Pass-Through Deductions?
The winter delivery season is upon us, and with it comes tighter schedules, longer routes, and less room for error. Most propane companies plan ahead, assuming some flexibility for extra hours during peak cold months, especially when harsh weather and customer demand collide. This year, that flexibility will not be coming. On December 2, 2025,… Continue reading Was the Propane HOS Waiver Denied This Winter?
A pivotal federal court ruling has once again reaffirmed that the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline will continue operations throughout the winter, offering last-mile propane delivery businesses much-needed supply certainty as peak heating demand sets in. This decision, which blocks Michigan’s efforts to force a shutdown of the international pipeline, reduces near-term disruption risk for propane… Continue reading Line 5 Ruling Brings Winter Supply Stability, But Delivery Risks Remain
Safety planning is a foundation for any business that depends on vehicles and drivers. Roads are unpredictable, conditions change frequently, and every driver faces unique challenges every day. A safety plan documents how a business keeps drivers safe, but there is one key element that often gets overlooked: driver feedback. The people behind the wheel… Continue reading Why Should Driver Feedback Be Part of Safety Planning?
Accountability matters in every part of propane operations. From delivery visits and safety checks to customer questions and internal reviews, clear records help businesses know what truly happened in the field. In recent years, photos and basic data have become powerful tools for building that clarity. When used correctly, they reduce disputes, improve performance, and… Continue reading Photos and Data Strengthen Accountability in Propane Operations
Commercial kitchens across the country are turning to propane more often for their everyday cooking and heating needs. This shift is not a fad; it comes from clear benefits that matter to kitchen performance, energy cost, and business operations. Whether it’s a restaurant, hotel kitchen, cafeteria, or a food preparation facility, propane provides a number… Continue reading More Commercial Kitchens Are Choosing Propane
Propane tanks are some of the most important assets in your business. They keep your customers supplied, support your service routes, and play a major role in how smoothly your operation runs every day. Tanks also come with long life cycles, ongoing maintenance needs, and real financial value. That value changes over time, and if… Continue reading Stronger Operations Through Propane Depreciation Planning
Cold weather is already tightening propane supply chains across many regions, and that pressure is showing up most clearly at terminals. As winter fuel demand rises, drivers are spending more time waiting to load, routes are getting compressed, and dispatch teams are forced to make faster decisions with less flexibility. These delays are not just… Continue reading Are PLAN Reports Helping Terminal Wait Times?
In the propane industry, long-term accounts are built on trust, timing, and clear communication. Customers rely on steady service, accurate information, and the feeling that their needs are seen before problems appear. While many operations focus on reacting to calls and requests, proactive outreach takes a different path. It shifts the relationship from response to… Continue reading Proactive Outreach Builds Stronger Long-Term Propane Accounts
Winter is often the season when propane companies feel pressure from every direction at once. Colder weather increases delivery demand, operating hours stretch longer into the evening, and costs tied to fuel, labor, and equipment rise quickly. At the same time, many companies are reviewing year-end numbers and getting a jump start on early tax… Continue reading IRS Fuel Tax Credit: What Can You Claim This Winter?
On paper, the U.S. propane market has never looked stronger. National inventories are at record levels, and domestic production continues to climb. These fundamentals reinforce propane’s role as a reliable, affordable, and transportable energy source across residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial markets. Yet many delivery companies are discovering that strong national supply does not guarantee… Continue reading Record Propane Supply, Real-World Bottlenecks
The newly approved strategic plan of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for 2026 offers important insight into where the propane industry is headed and how delivery companies can prepare. The plan emphasizes three core priorities: safety leadership, workforce development, and targeted market growth – all aimed at strengthening propane’s long-term position in the… Continue reading What PERC’s 2026 Strategy Signals for the Future of Propane Delivery
Recent long-term LPG contracts between U.S. suppliers and India highlight a significant shift in global propane and LPG dynamics. India, one of the world’s fastest-growing LPG markets, is actively securing long-term supply agreements to support expanding household and commercial usage. These contracts, set to begin in the next few years, demonstrate increasing international demand for… Continue reading India’s Growing Interest in U.S. LPG Signals Long-Term Supply Competition
Winter supply disruptions and extended driver hours continue to expose staffing gaps at propane delivery companies, making early driver recruitment and structured training critical to maintaining safety, service reliability, and customer trust. Winter has arrived with increased propane demand, just as supply-side disruptions have placed added strain on delivery operations. In mid-December, a significant issue… Continue reading How Ready Is Your Team for Driver Recruitment This Winter?
Service interruptions and emergency situations place propane companies under intense scrutiny. Whether caused by extreme weather, supply constraints, or operational challenges, these moments test not only logistics but customer trust. During disruptions, customers are often anxious, uncertain, and heavily dependent on timely information – making communication as critical as the service response itself. How a… Continue reading Clear Communication When Service Is Disrupted
Looking ahead over the next five years presents a mix of challenges and opportunities for propane businesses of every size. The energy sector is shifting, global demand is rising, and forecasts show steady growth for propane markets through at least 2030. While change can feel overwhelming, overreacting to every trend can lead to costly decisions… Continue reading Building a Steady Five-Year Strategy for Your Business
Running a propane delivery business takes constant coordination. Tanks must be tracked, safety forms must be managed, customers expect clear communication, and delivery routes change from day to day. Many business owners still handle these tasks by utilizing paper notes, their memory, or scattered spreadsheets – old school methods that often lead to errors or… Continue reading Smart Digital Tools Improve Daily Operations for Propane Companies
In today’s energy market, customer loyalty can no longer be taken for granted. Propane companies operate in an environment shaped by rising client expectations, increased competition, and greater transparency around pricing and service quality. Customers now compare providers not only based on cost, but on reliability, communication, and how well their energy partner supports them… Continue reading Why Trust and Consistency Matter More Than Price
Efforts to preserve consumer and business access to a range of energy options, including propane, continue to gain traction across the United States. Over the past several years, a growing number of states have enacted legislation designed to protect the right to choose energy sources for homes, businesses, and agricultural operations. These policies, often referred… Continue reading Preservation of Energy Choice Gains Momentum Across the U.S.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released its winter energy outlook, projecting a notable divergence in heating costs across the major fuel types. According to the forecast, propane and natural gas heating costs are expected to decline, while electric heating may become slightly more expensive compared to last year. Propane users, in particular, could… Continue reading EIA Forecast Predicts Lower Propane Heating Costs This Winter
Holiday seasons bring a mix of heavier traffic, tighter schedules, and unpredictable weather. Roads that are normally manageable become crowded with travelers, delivery delays become more common, and winter weather conditions can change within hours. In the midst of these challenges, route planning is no longer just a routine task for propane delivery companies. Rather,… Continue reading Route Planning Becomes Critical During Holiday Traffic and Weather
Bringing new team members up to speed quickly is one of the biggest challenges any propane business faces. The sooner a new hire becomes confident and competent in their role, the sooner they can help deliver fuel safely, keep customers satisfied, and reduce pressure on the more experienced staff. However, many attempts to speed up… Continue reading Training New Hires Faster Without Lowering Standards
Peak delivery season is the most challenging time period for propane businesses – demanding precision, coordination, and endurance from every member of the team. Longer routes, increased customer demand, unpredictable weather, and tight schedules put pressure on drivers, dispatchers, and management alike. Even with ample supply and efficient technology, operations can falter if teams are… Continue reading Strengthening Your Team for Peak Delivery Season
Trade associations are often seen as groups that focus only on laws, rules, and government talks. Advocacy is important, but it is only one part of what these organizations actually do. For retailers across the propane industry, trade associations provide daily support that reaches into safety, training, operations, data, and long-term planning. These services quietly… Continue reading How Trade Associations Help Retailers Beyond Advocacy
Propane runouts are more than a simple missed delivery. When a tank goes empty unexpectedly, the financial impact stretches beyond one skipped fill. A runout affects delivery schedules, adds extra labor hours, and can create safety risks that are expensive to fix. For propane businesses of all sizes, understanding the real cost of runouts and… Continue reading The True Cost of Propane Runouts on Your Business
Preparing for changing weather involves more than just keeping warm clothes and winter boots ready. For homes and businesses that use propane, seasonal tank care is a key part of safe and smooth operations. Many homeowners don’t think about their propane tank until it becomes a problem, but regular maintenance can do much to prevent… Continue reading Seasonal Tank Tips Keep Propane Customers Safer
