Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

Oh.go.on.then

Hi all. This is my first post on this site and wonder if you can help?

I've just moved into a new house that has LPG heating. The tank only reads 5% full so I need to get it topped up. The tank was originally supplied by MSF or now countrywide and I know the PO was buying it from them.

How do I make sure I am getting the cheapest price for LPG? Can I shop around or won't other suppliers fill my tank as it's not one of theirs?

I have considered moving to oil as I have been told how expensive LPG is so don't want to be locked into a deal. I would rather just see how I get on over winter and how much it is costing me.

Many thanks all

Mike

LittleVermin

Oh.go.on.then wrote: »

Hi all. This is my first post on this site and wonder if you can help? ..

Welcome - and to save your searching through the 2000+ posts on this thread here's some quick info!

Oh.go.on.then wrote: »

............... The tank was originally supplied by MSF or now countrywide and I know the PO was buying it from them....

If the PO DID buy it from Countrywide you need to have a test certificate. Tanks need a major test every 10 years (date of manufacture and tests probably stamped on a brass info plate on the tank). If you don't have a certificate you need to employ a qualified Gas Safe engineer with a LPG ticket. At 20 years some companies remove tanks for a total refurbishment, but tanks last well over 20 years! An annual check is done by the delivery driver but this just covers nearby vegetation, nearby other combustible matter (e.g. sheds), leaks, etc. If the tank doesn't meet the industry's current Code of Practice suppliers (probably) won't fill it. You can buy the CoP from UKLPG ...or a supplier will help (and also check suppliers' websites - e.g. Calor has info on tank siting). Suppliers will also help you find an engineer (the majors often have their own in-house but many others freelance. A local caravan park or mobile home estate might give you a name too).

Oh.go.on.then wrote: »

How do I make sure I am getting the cheapest price for LPG? Can I shop around or won't other suppliers fill my tank as it's not one of theirs?

If you put your postcode into the supplier finder at www.uklpg.org you'll find UKLPG members who'll possibly supply (they can refuse!). If you are in the Countrywide supply area you should have quite a range of options. Not all suppliers are members of UKLPG. Please check my posts #2273-5 for suppliers including independents (and users' comments about them). Some suppliers are unwilling to take on and fill underground tanks. Shop around! HateLPG plots prices on monthly charts (latest at #2282). Cardiff Gas says it charges less to tank owners, and Extra Fuel quotes 5ppl less.

Oh.go.on.then wrote: »

I have considered moving to oil as I have been told how expensive LPG is so don't want to be locked into a deal. I would rather just see how I get on over winter and how much it is costing me.

LPG is a bit more expensive than oil per kWh, less expensive than full price electricity. But there are other costs: boiler maintenance, tank rental / cost of tank, and potential for theft with oil. Comparative costs per kWh at www.nottenergy.com - but you now need to register to get the latest figures (figures often quoted on the forum - so use "Search this Thread" for old figures).

Oh.go.on.then wrote: »

Many thanks all. Mike

HTH. Please keep us posted (yes, please post the quotes you get! And the cost of the tank test if you need to get one). Not many tank owners about it seems - and there have been less than half a dozen posting.
..

Oh.go.on.then

Thanks very much for the posts. I don't know why I didn't think about the tank needing to checked before I bought the property. I can be pretty certain the PO wouldn't have ever checked the tank. It's completely overgrown with weeds and brambles even though she has had it topped up this year.

I've found the year of manufacture - 1985. The tanks looks in very good condition but I'll call a gas engineer next week as a first step.

I've looked at the Nottenergy.com website and if I read it right it indicated that LPG is slightly cheaper than oil per KWh on the February price comparison. I assumed oil was much cheaper!?

A final question - the tank has no contract but was originally installed by MSF. Who owns it and who is responsible for it?

Many thanks

LittleVermin

Oh.go.on.then wrote: »

Thanks very much for the posts. I don't know why I didn't think about the tank needing to checked before I bought the property. I can be pretty certain the PO wouldn't have ever checked the tank. It's completely overgrown with weeds and brambles even though she has had it topped up this year.

I've found the year of manufacture - 1985. The tanks looks in very good condition but I'll call a gas engineer next week as a first step.

I've looked at the Nottenergy.com website and if I read it right it indicated that LPG is slightly cheaper than oil per KWh on the February price comparison. I assumed oil was much cheaper!?

A final question - the tank has no contract but was originally installed by MSF. Who owns it and who is responsible for it?

Many thanks

To answer your very last question first: the owner is responsible for it. That's easy! But saying who owns it isn't (well, not from the depths of Cornwall!). It could be either the home owner (i.e. you now) OR Countrywide OR the last company who filled it (but they might have been subcontracted to Countrywide) OR ...... OR .....

You say the area around the tank is overgrown. It shouldn't be - so my first action would be to clear this! And check the Calor website for the clear space needed around an LPG tank. {Overhanging trees?} Then if all this is OK a supplier won't have this reason for refusing to supply. And if you need an engineer he/she can access the tank without spending your money gardening!

Then I'd contact the previous owner (if you can) to see if she did buy it off ?Countrywide AND to ask who delivered this year. If this isn't possible I'd contact Countrywide asking if they supplied the property this year - and if they did did they own the tank (and if they did could they send a copy of the last lot of paperwork or at least talk you through it). If they don't own it probably you do....and you need to get the certificate off the previous owner, or get an engineer to test (that'll cost a few hundred quid).

This all seems very roundabout - but the forum has quite a few posts reporting very sharp practice from more than one company. And, I think, this, and the 2 year exclusive contracts, helps to give the "don't go there!" message re LPG. Sometimes the companies' practice is actually illegal - which is easy - someone just needs to quote the relevant Act!

Remember that even if Countrywide owns the tank you do NOT have a contract with them - any contract they had with the previous owner was only with that person, though they still own the tank. [Yes, there's sharp practice often here where tank owners imply new property owners need to sign a contract with them for supply. NO - a new owner can choose any willing supplier and the previous and future tank owners go through the tank switching process, without bothering you except for one form and signing a new 2 year contract].

Welcome to the wonderful world of LPG! Many of us recommend using an independent - you get to talk to a person whose name you soon know, and the companies rely on word of mouth recommendations (e.g. on this forum too - see my earlier posts #2273-5).

BTW MSF became Countrywide in 1999. I don't think I'd recommend buying an old tank - many companies switch them at 20 years for a complete refurb, I'm told.

BTW too - your solicitor should have sorted all this, surely?

JerryW

BTW too - your solicitor should have sorted all this, surely?

Yes, your solicitor is responsible for establishing the ownership of the entire property you bought, including the lpg tank (and its contents!) and ensuring a proper transfer of title to you. If he/she didn't do that they are responsible to you for their failure

HateLPG

Prices as at the start of June, showing a slight upturn:



Just for interest and context, here is the longer-term pricing graph:

Oh.go.on.then

Evening all. Countrywide got back to me today regarding my tank, contract and price. Apparently the tank is Countrywides and they have quoted me £15+vat per qtr tank rental and 47p a litre for the LPG. I've been that busy that I haven't had chance to phone round any other suppliers but plan to have a go tomorrow. At this point I'm not sure if 47p is competitive?

longforgotten

Hello Oh go on

I'm with Countrywide and getting to the end of my fixed price period. I've been paying 42p per litre and I see no reason for the price to go up as I thought gas prices were coming down. Will have to wait and see.


Try mentioning that you've done some research and know that other Countrywide customers are on a lower price than the 47p that they have offered. Also my tank rental is a touch lower, £12.50 + vat per qtr I think. Also no harm in asking after a sweetener to stay with them and that you again have heard of Countrywide offering £150 credit to stay. They gave me a credit of £150 to match an offer I had from Flogas. Unfortunately if you don't ask you don't get in the world of LPG



My thanks to this forum , HateLPG and LittleVermin because without them I would not have known the need to, and the joys of, haggling over the price.

Wish you luck

VGVIP

Thanks for such good information on this thread.

I am buying a new property and the gas tank is under private ownership and so will transfer to me with the sale of the property.

Lima Gas as listed in this thread has quoted 36ppl.
I can not recall what we are currently paying Calor under their contract in the property we have been renting for the past 5 years but am sure it is a lot more plus the standing charge.

Thanks again!

LittleVermin

longforgotten wrote: »

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Unfortunately if you don't ask you don't get in the world of LPG.

..

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