Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

Stubloke

I signed a 2 year deal with Calor in October 2020  36ppl for 1year , 3.5ppl max increase in year 2. 

I just got a letter saying my price would be increasing by 9ppl to 45ppl in November.  

I signed with Calor because they could re-site my tank to comply with the rules and because the tank move and gas price seemed reasonable - with the 2nd year cap.  

If they are breaking the contract, can I go elsewhere? Any other advice?

Stubloke

Well, apparently the Calor letter got sent to all customers, so my price is capped at 39.5ppl for 12months.

JerryW

Stubloke said:

Well, apparently the Calor letter got sent to all customers, so my price is capped at 39.5ppl for 12months.

Surprised if that were so, since I bet a good proportion of them are already paying 45p or more ..

walpurgis02

If the company is referring you to specific regulations it seems to me the least they should do is to supply you with a copy.

Hi Jerry

Thanks for your quick response. I was interested to hear that Calor had replaced your non-compliant tank after nearly 40 years. They installed mine around 20 years ago, so maybe they’ll upgrade it too if that becomes necessary.

My current supplier did provide a sheet containing the tank screening regulations which I’ve pasted below because it might be useful for other LPG customers. But I’m sure there are other requirements in the Code of Practice.


  

Juleszoemay

We were with Flogas, then realised we were paying 61ppl as the fixed rate had ended. The tank has only been installed (by Flogas) 3 years previous. Calor would not have allowed it, and my guess is that other would have said the same. 
Luckily LPG save recontracted us with Flogas (as half what we were paying, and 15ppl less than they would give me as a member of the public) so nothing needed to change. 

pinkteapot

Same as others, had a letter from Calor saying price increasing by 9p, from 39.9p to 48.9p in our case. 

Our two year contract started Jan 2020. Fixed 39.9p for 12 months, then I didn't negotiate a cap in year 2 because I was new to LPG and didn't know to (I will do next time!). I assume there's nothing I can do, and if we need a fill between now and Jan (hopefully not), we'll have to pay 48.9p? 

I've been impressed until now, as for our second year until this point the price hadn't increased at all, despite no cap. 

Juleszoemay

Pinkteapot, in my contract it says they can increase by x amount per litre, but if they increase over that we have the right to leave. I dont know if Calor's contracts are the same as Flogas, but its worth reading the small print. 

Its a minefield, we had no idea either and we only realised when last winter we had deliveries every 6 weeks, at about £600. Yep, £100 a week to heat a house, barmy! Only £50 a week now if we used the same amount, although I'm now frugal and will sit in my office with an oil rad on rather than heating any of the house such is the cost. I remember in my last mains gas heated new build I was paying £80 a month for gas & electric.... no hope of that here!!

pinkteapot

Thanks for the tip! Checked contract and if they increase the price more than 3.5p within a three month period, we can leave. Will talk to them!

WJB1971

Keep haggling and keep trading them off against each other, leave if you have to, to get the best deal you can. In July 2021 agreed a deal with Flogas 34ppl fixed for 2 years.

pinkteapot

WJB1971 said:

Keep haggling and keep trading them off against each other, leave if you have to, to get the best deal you can. In July 2021 agreed a deal with Flogas 34ppl fixed for 2 years.

Unfortunately I think the general inflation/supply chain issues may have impacted LPG since July.

Got a quote from Flogas to switch to them of 40ppl fixed for 2 years. Went back to Calor as wanted to stay with them if possible. Best they would do is 44.9ppl variable for 2 years or 46.9ppl fixed for 12 months then variable for 12 months. They said they're not currently price-matching competitors! 

So we're switching.