Case Study – Budget Propane
New Braunfels, TX
Overview
Budget Propane is a family-owned propane retailer based in the mountain community of Suches, Georgia. Serving more than 6,000 residential and commercial customers, the company provides propane for home heating, water heating, cooking, and more across the region. With a lean team of 10 employees, Budget Propane prides itself on delivering high-touch service at a competitive price.
Led by Tommy White, CEO and Managing Partner, since its founding in 2004, the company has grown steadily year over year—achieving 17% year-to-date growth in gallons delivered as of March 2025.
Budget Propane’s brand is built around accessibility and authenticity. “If you call Budget Propane, you’ll talk to a real person—probably one of the owners,” says White. That philosophy of personal service, operational efficiency, and community trust is what sets the company apart.
The Challenge
Like many growing propane providers, Budget Propane needed to scale without sacrificing the responsiveness and quality of service that had become its signature. With two 30,000-gallon bulk tanks located 25 miles apart, monitoring tank capacity required manual checks—taking valuable time and resources away from core operations.
“As we grew, I couldn’t justify the time and fuel it took just to drive to a tank site and check levels. We needed better visibility—and fast.”
At the same time, the company faced broader industry pressures: balancing cost efficiency, embracing new technology, and reinforcing propane’s role as a sustainable, clean-burning energy option in a shifting energy landscape.
The Solution
In early 2024, Budget Propane installed two Mopeka Pro+ Bulk Tank Sensors, one on each of their primary bulk storage tanks. The recommendation came through trusted industry contacts at Combustion Services in Tennessee and was fulfilled by Rutherford Equipment.
“This was our first time installing remote tank monitoring, and the experience with Mopeka was seamless. Quick, simple, and very cost-effective.”
The sensors provided real-time monitoring of tank volumes via mobile and cloud dashboards, giving three key staff members—including Tommy—immediate access to actionable data, no matter where they were.
“Now I can see volumes instantly and route deliveries based on which tank needs it. That’s a huge win.”
Business Impact
The operational improvements were immediate and measurable:
- Remote visibility into tank levels, eliminating the need for manual site visits
- Faster, more informed fuel allocation between two storage sites
- Improved staff efficiency across a small but highly active team
- Better customer service by maintaining seamless supply even during rapid growth
Beyond the technology, Tommy was especially impressed by the level of customer service from Mopeka.
“They showed up to update firmware without me even asking. That level of service is rare. You don’t see that anymore—but with Mopeka, I did.”
Competition and Collaboration
Budget Propane had not used remote tank monitoring previously, but once they experienced the accuracy and reliability of Mopeka’s readings, the value became immediately clear.
“There are plenty of monitoring options out there, but with Mopeka, I got great service, a great price, and strong recommendations from people I trust.”
The support from Rutherford Equipment and Mopeka’s team, including firmware updates and onboarding assistance, only reinforced the confidence Tommy had in his decision.
Measurable Benefits
- Hours of time saved per month from eliminating manual bulk tank checks
- Increased operational efficiency across delivery and scheduling
- Stronger internal decision-making backed by real-time data
- Zero truck rolls required for tank checks—reducing vehicle wear and fuel costs
- Improved customer experience due to proactive, informed inventory management
“It’s helped us do more with less—and maintain our reputation as a responsive, customer-first business, even as we grow.”
Looking Ahead
With success at the bulk level, Budget Propane is now exploring Mopeka monitoring solutions for customer-owned tanks, especially the one-third of its tank base currently owned and maintained by the company.
“Mopeka stepped up and did things right—and that impressed me. We’re looking forward to what’s next.”
About Mopeka®
Mopeka® Products LLC is a global leader in tank monitoring and cathodic protection solutions. Our portfolio of award-winning and patented sonar, mobile, and cloud-based services helps firms manage liquid commodities such as propane, butane, water, anhydrous ammonia, and others to better control volumes and streamline supply chain operations. We provide solutions for both pressurized and non-pressurized tanks—from residential 20 lb. grills and RV tanks to industrial tanks exceeding 60,000 gallons. At Mopeka, we believe in “Accuracy Above Everything.”
Learn more at: www.mopeka.com
About Budget Propane
Based in Suches, Georgia, Budget Propane is a trusted regional provider serving thousands of homes and businesses with reliable propane supply for heating, cooking, water, and more. Known for their personal service and honest pricing, the company has grown steadily since 2004 by combining technology with tradition—with customers as their first priority.
Learn more at: www.budgetpropaneusa.com