NOW YOU’RE COOKING WITH LESS GAS

Backyard grillers may get a little steamed this holiday weekend when buying refilled propane tanks: They will be getting less fuel for their money than last Memorial Day.

When oil prices soared in 2008, propane suppliers quietly reduced by two pounds the amount of gas pumped into each 20-pound tank, saying they wanted to avoid raising prices.

Since then, propane prices have been cut in half as the price of oil has dropped. But smaller refills are still being sold nationwide by many dealers, and most buyers are unaware because the tank is the same size.

For the past year, tank exchanges at retail stores have generally cost $20 to $25. Consumers who refill their existing tanks pay $17 to $20.

Until last year, Blue Rhino and Amerigas, two major suppliers, put 17 to 18 pounds of propane in each 20-pound tank. Tanks should not be filled completely for safety reasons.

About a year ago, that amount was cut to 15 pounds to save consumers a price boost, Blue Rhino spokesman Chris Hartley said.

"There are a number of companies in different industries across the country addressing product packaging, just because of the soaring costs," he said.

Last year, all energy costs increased sharply, as did the price of steel used in tanks. Crude prices soared past $100 per barrel at the start of 2008 and climbed toward $150 by July. Propane futures hit $1.95 per gallon in the same month.

Those prices have all fallen this year, which would suggest bigger profits for propane distributors.

Hartley would not say if there were plans to return propane refills to the same levels as before the 2008 price spikes, but he did say that energy markets remain volatile.

In the last year, propane futures on the New York Mercantile exchange have dropped from about $1.73 per gallon to just above 71 cents. They have climbed 11 cents since January.

Retailers who offer propane say they have not increased the volume of fuel in each tank because propane companies have not reduced prices.

Home Depot, which offers propane refills, said cutting the amount of propane in 20-pound tanks was an industrywide measure.

The Home Depot at 861 S. Rainbow Blvd. in Las Vegas had 15-pound Amerigas tanks for $17.48 plus tax, which works out to about $4.93 per gallon. Had Amerigas loaded the tanks with 17 pounds, it would be $4.35 per gallon.

At the Lowe's at 4625 W. Charleston Blvd. in Las Vegas, 15-pound Blue Rhino tanks were selling for $18.77 plus tax. That works out to $5.30 per gallon. If the tanks were filled to 17 pounds, it would be $4.68 per gallon.

Also at Lowe's, the tank pictured on the Blue Rhino display had the weight crossed out with a black marker, although it was still possible to read that it said 17 pounds.

"The only thing I don't like is that it is less," said Tom, of Las Vegas, who wouldn't give his last name, after exchanging a tank at Lowe's.

James Bixley, 61, of Las Vegas was suspicious that tanks were lighter this year than last, but wasn't sure until he was told.

Bixley had just exchanged six empty tanks at Home Depot for six that had been filled to 15 pounds.

"They don't feel as heavy to me as they used to," he said.

Bixley said his barbecue grill has a spring-loaded tank holder that alerts him when the tank is low by sensing the weight.

"This time when I put (a new tank) in I will pay close attention," he said.

He might also consider having his tanks refilled at a retail propane supplier, as opposed to exchanging an empty for a pre-filled one at the store.

At Haycock Petroleum at 4825 N. Sloan Lane in Las Vegas, a worker said the going rate was $2.90 per gallon, which would work out to $11.63 for a 17-pound refill.

Many U-Haul stores also refill tanks. At the U-Haul at 3900 N. Tenaya Way the price on Friday was $2.95 per gallon, which would be $11.83 for a 17-pound fill-up.