How Long Does a 45kg Gas Bottle Last? A Guide for Macedon Ranges Homes
How Long Does a 45kg Gas Bottle Last?
One of the most common questions we get from customers across the Macedon Ranges is: how long will a 45kg LPG gas bottle actually last? The honest answer is: it depends on what you are running.
Typical Usage Times
Here is a rough guide for a standard household in the Macedon Ranges:
Hot water only (instantaneous system, family of four): 8 to 12 weeks.
Hot water + cooking: 6 to 10 weeks.
Hot water + cooking + gas heating: 3 to 6 weeks in winter. Longer in summer when the heater is off.
Cooking only (cooktop, no oven): 4 to 6 months.
BBQ only: A 45kg bottle is massive overkill for a BBQ — it could last over a year of weekend cooking.
Why Winter Usage Is Higher
If you live in Woodend, Macedon, Trentham, or the higher parts of the Macedon Ranges, you know how cold winter gets. Overnight temperatures below zero are common. That means your gas heater is running hard, your hot water demand goes up (longer, hotter showers), and your 45kg bottle empties faster.
A household running ducted gas heating through a Macedon Ranges winter can go through a 45kg bottle in 3 to 4 weeks. That is why we recommend the two-bottle setup with an automatic changeover valve — when bottle one empties, bottle two takes over and you have time to order a refill without going cold.
Tips to Make Your Gas Last Longer
- Set your thermostat to 18-20 degrees — every degree higher uses noticeably more gas.
- Use a timer on ducted heating rather than running it all day.
- Check your hot water temperature — 60 degrees at the unit is standard. Higher wastes gas.
- Close doors to rooms you are not heating.
Never Run Out
The easiest way to avoid running out of gas in the Macedon Ranges is to run two 45kg bottles with a changeover valve, and order a refill as soon as the first one empties. Or ask Macedon Gas about regular scheduled deliveries.
We deliver 45kg LPG gas bottles to over 45 suburbs across the Macedon Ranges. Emergency delivery is also available if you get caught out.