New LPG user -help please!

Roxie123 · 4 March 2015 at 3:37PM

I've just moved into a flat in an old converted house run by a managing agent - there are 11 + flats and all on Calor gas - there is no mains gas in the area. How much more expensive is it to use Calor rather than mains? Feel afraid to use the heating! I have a range master cooker and the flame strength is weak - Calor came and checked it and said it was fine but I' ve used gas cooking before and there has been a much fiercer heat - now it would not be easy to stir fry etc - is this a comN problem with Calor? Are there other lpg suppliers who are cheaper? Is it possible to switch? Trouble is I would have to get everyone else in the building to agree. Very disappointed with Calor so far

sk240 · 5 March 2015 at 1:45PM

LPG is around 3-4 times more expensive than mains gas.
It all depends on how well insulated your flat is really before you will know.
Run for a week at a comfortable temp that you want, take meter readings before and after and do the maths to work out the cost.

ilikecookies · 5 March 2015 at 3:13PM

Hi Roxie123,

LPG is more expensive than mains gas but I don't think it's 2-3 times more expensive. The latest NEP figures suggest it is around 50% more expensive:

http://www.nottenergy.com/energy_cost_comparison/

The precise figure is going to depend on what rate Calor are charging you per litre of LPG. Do you happen to know what this is? Also I assume you have a meter somewhere to help you monitor how much you are using as I assume you are all billed separately based on actual usage?

The next factor is then how much you are going to use. Your new place might be smaller, better insulated, etc so whilst it may cost more to use LPG you may not be paying more than previously with mains gas if that makes sense.

As regards the power of the flame on a LPG hob I'm afraid I can't comment but I wouldn't have thought it would be significantly weaker as the LPG will be kept under pressure. You could perhaps ask you neighbours?

There almost certainly will be cheaper LPG suppliers out there but as you say it can be difficult if you need to get everyone to agree to change supplier. That said if you were to find another supplier was much cheaper they may change their mind or at least allow you to use this info to negotiate a better deal from Calor. This link will help you find other suppliers:

http://www.uklpg.org/advice-and-information/switching-your-lpg-supply/

Hope that helps!

thozza · 5 March 2015 at 10:05PM

As regards energy content, LPG (which is mainly propane) has over twice the energy content per unit of volume in as gaseous state as natural gas, however both have very similar combustion temperatures.

In practical terms LPG has a smaller flame for the same heat as natural gas.

captainhindsight_2 · 6 March 2015 at 7:10AM

If there is an opportunity to upgragde your boiler things like an air sourrse heat pump is a good off grid option for flats as theycan be wall mounted outside.

or you could be ambitious and try to persuade the managing agent to convert to a biomass district heating system which they would be paying as little as 3.1p/kwh for and obvoiously putting a margin on but could be a combarible price to mains gas to the end user and is in many cases.

Ozzysmate · 9 March 2015 at 3:29PM

I would suggest the OP, and anyone else interested, have a read of this thread, but not from the 2008 start

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=1003291&highlight=lpg

embob74 · 9 March 2015 at 10:48PM

we recently got Calor gas installed and were astounded at how much it costs to run!
I have a big range cooker which has gas hob and it works great....I've not noticed the flame being any less than it should be and we have had a few stir fries.

PaulF81 · 10 March 2015 at 7:44AM

Tbh with an efficient boiler and decent home insulation, we haven't noticed much difference

Short-n-Sweet · 30 March 2015 at 6:55PM

Sorry for Jumping in on this thread! But I was wondering the same thing - We have moved into a Flat that uses LPG (Calor Supply) I am worried about using the heating until I can finally get some kind of answer from Calor.. I contacted them when I moved in and they could not find our new build post code so suggested they did not supply these flats.

Then last week I spotted the Calor man filling our tank.

I have NO idea what the prices are and Calor are no help at all!! So wondered if anybody had even a rough idea of cost? Luckily when we moved in the lady showing us around suggested an electric cooker etc.. So we only use it for heating. Worried a huge Bill is going to land when they finally pull their finger out and decide they do supply us and I am only putting a certain amount away each month but that cost was based on a friends bill and they are on the mains so reading it is more is worrying me.

J_B · 30 March 2015 at 10:15PM

Short-n-Sweet wrote: »

We have moved into a Flat that uses LPG (Calor Supply) I am worried about using the heating until I can finally get some kind of answer from Calor.. I contacted them when I moved in and they could not find our new build post code so suggested they did not supply these flats.

Then last week I spotted the Calor man filling our tank.

Well, presumably, you have a meter somewhere ... or do you have an individual tank for your flat? (Unlikely!)

Short-n-Sweet · 23 April 2015 at 6:26PM

J_B wrote: »

Well, presumably, you have a meter somewhere ... or do you have an individual tank for your flat? (Unlikely!)

Yes we do have a metre. However I cannot seem to find the prices online so having a metre figure is all well and good - But no idea how much they charge so still pretty clueless. :rotfl:

If you have a link to the charges I would really appreciate it.

New LPG user -help please!

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