Short answer: You can switch propane suppliers in Ontario at any time. If your current supplier owns the tank, switching means their tank comes out and your new supplier’s tank goes in. The costs that matter are not the propane price — they are the tank removal fee, any early-termination charge, and how you get credited for the propane still sitting in the tank when it leaves your property.
Every winter we take calls from homeowners in Oshawa, Uxbridge, Georgina and Lindsay who want to move suppliers but have been told it is complicated, expensive, or not allowed. It is none of those things — as long as you ask the right questions before you sign anything. Here is exactly how a supplier switch works in Ontario in 2026.
Step 1: Find out who actually owns your propane tank
This is the single fact that determines everything else about your switch.
Most Ontario homes on propane do not own their tank. The supplier owns it and rents it to you, often for a modest annual fee — sometimes waived entirely as long as you keep buying propane from them. That rental arrangement is what ties you to the supplier.
- Supplier owns the tank (most common): You cannot have a different company fill it. When you switch, the old supplier removes their tank and the new supplier installs one.
- You own the tank: Switching is far simpler. Any supplier willing to service your installation can start delivering, provided the tank meets current safety requirements.
Check your original agreement or the sticker on the tank itself — supplier-owned tanks are almost always labelled with the company’s name and asset number. If you cannot find the paperwork, call your current supplier and ask directly: “Do I own this tank, or is it rented?”
Can you buy your tank from your current supplier?
Sometimes, yes — and it is worth asking. If you own the tank outright, you are free to shop your propane price every year without a tank swap. Not every supplier will sell, and an older tank may not be worth buying, but it costs nothing to ask.
Step 2: Read your contract for these five things
Before you call anyone, pull out your agreement and look for:
- Early termination or cancellation fees — most common on fixed-price or multi-year contracts.
- Minimum annual purchase requirements — some contracts require you to buy a set volume, with a settlement charge if you leave short.
- Tank pickup or removal charges — the fee to send a truck to collect their tank.
- How leftover propane is handled — whether you are refunded, credited, or simply lose it.
- Fixed-price contract obligations — if you locked in a rate for the season, leaving early may trigger a settlement.
None of these are dealbreakers. They are just numbers you need before you can tell whether switching actually saves you money.
Step 3: Get a written switching quote from the new supplier
A verbal “we’ll take care of it” is not a quote. Ask any supplier you are considering to confirm in writing whether they will:
- Install their tank at no charge
- Coordinate timing with your old supplier’s tank pickup
- Perform the required safety inspection of your installation
- Charge any setup, first-fill, reconnection or trip fee
- Charge tank rental going forward — and how much
At Discount Propane we walk new customers through this on the phone before they commit to anything, including what their all-in delivered cost will look like. Call 905-448-5955 and ask — you do not need to be a customer to get a straight answer.
Step 4: Do not skip the propane already in your tank
This is where most people lose money, and almost nobody asks about it.
If you switch in October with 500 litres still in the tank, that propane has real value. Different suppliers handle it differently — some refund it, some pump it out and charge you for the pump-out, some transfer it into the replacement tank, and some simply keep it.
Ask your current supplier this exact question, and get the answer in writing: “If there are 500 litres in my tank on the day you remove it, how will I be credited for that propane, and what pump-out or transfer fee applies?”
The cheapest time to switch is when your tank is close to empty — typically late spring, after the heating season ends. If you are switching mid-winter, factor the leftover propane into your comparison.
Step 5: Notify your current supplier, then coordinate the swap
Tell your existing supplier in writing that you are terminating service, and give them a date. Do not simply stop ordering and have a new company show up — a supplier-owned tank is their property, and filling it without authorization is not an option for any reputable company.
Ideally the old tank comes out and the new tank goes in on the same day, or within a day or two of each other. A good supplier will coordinate this with you so you are never without heat. In rural parts of Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes where road access matters, schedule the swap outside of freeze-thaw season if you can.
Step 6: The safety inspection is not optional
When you change propane suppliers in Ontario, the incoming supplier is required to inspect your propane installation before putting the system into service. This is a legal requirement, not an upsell.
The inspection covers the tank, regulators, piping and appliance connections. If your new supplier does not mention an inspection, treat that as a warning sign about how they run the rest of their business. Discount Propane uses licensed gas technicians for every installation and inspection.
What switching can actually cost you
| Possible charge | Charged by | Typically avoidable? |
|---|---|---|
| Early termination / cancellation | Old supplier | Only by waiting out the contract |
| Tank pickup and removal | Old supplier | Sometimes negotiable |
| Pump-out of remaining propane | Old supplier | Reduce by switching near-empty |
| Minimum-volume settlement | Old supplier | Only if contract requires it |
| New tank installation | New supplier | Often waived for new customers |
| Safety inspection | New supplier | Required — often included |
| Ongoing tank rental | New supplier | Compare between suppliers |
How to compare quotes fairly
Suppliers quote differently on purpose, which makes comparison shopping harder than it should be. Neutralize that by asking every supplier the identical question:
“What is my all-in delivered price per litre today — including delivery and transportation fees, tank rental, and HST — assuming a 600 to 1,000 litre delivery?”
A headline rate of 68 cents per litre with a delivery surcharge and $150 annual tank rental can easily cost more than a 74-cent rate with nothing added. The only number that matters is what lands on the invoice. Our Ontario propane price guide breaks down what should and should not appear on your bill.
Frequently asked questions about switching propane suppliers in Ontario
Can another propane company fill my rented tank?
No. If your current supplier owns the tank, another company will not fill it. Supplier-owned tanks are that company’s property and their contracts restrict use by competitors. Switching requires a physical tank swap.
Do I have to buy my own propane tank to switch suppliers?
No. Most suppliers, including Discount Propane, will install their own tank as part of setting up your service. Buying your own tank is optional — it gives you more freedom to shop your rate each year, but it is not required to change companies.
What happens to the propane left in my tank when I switch?
It depends entirely on your current supplier’s policy. Some refund or credit you at a set rate, some pump it out and charge a fee, some transfer it to the replacement tank. Ask in writing before you schedule the removal, and switch when your tank is low if you can.
How long does it take to switch propane suppliers?
Usually one to three weeks from your first call, depending on how quickly your old supplier schedules tank pickup. The new tank installation and first fill can often happen the same day. Allow more time during the November-to-February peak.
Is there a fee to cancel my propane contract in Ontario?
There is no province-wide standard fee. Whether you pay depends on your specific agreement — fixed-price and multi-year contracts are the most likely to carry early-termination or minimum-volume charges. Month-to-month will-call arrangements usually do not.
Can I switch propane suppliers in the middle of winter?
Yes, and it is done regularly. The two considerations are the propane still in your tank (which you may not be fully credited for) and scheduling — winter is the busiest season for every supplier in Durham and York Region. If you are not in a hurry, switching in late spring is cleaner and usually cheaper.
Will switching suppliers interrupt my heat?
It should not. A properly coordinated swap has the new tank installed and filled on or near the same day the old one is removed. Confirm the schedule with both suppliers in advance, and never let the old tank leave before the new one is confirmed.
Thinking about switching? Let’s talk before you commit.
Discount Propane delivers to homes, farms and businesses across Durham Region, York Region, Lindsay, Little Britain and the surrounding rural townships. We will tell you honestly whether switching makes financial sense for your situation — including when it does not.
Call 905-448-5955 for a no-pressure quote, or request a quote online. For urgent situations, our 24-hour emergency line is 416-271-9807.
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