Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

JerryW

When Calor replaced my 2,200l tank they wanted to put in a 1,200l tank but I refused to accept it .. if you have the space, the bigger the tank the less the aggravation of getting refills etc, was my view. So they did replace like for like.

I also advocate having nothing to do with automatic topups, budget schemes etc. If you manage topups yourself you can be more efficient with getting them at the right moment, ie before winter price rises or contract hikes. It is not hard to check up once a fortnight or so and order it when you get down to 30% or thereabouts. You can do it online nowadays, which is good because you go straight into the system, and get evidence of the booking..

So far as dealing with the major suppliers is concerned, I have dealt with all of them, two times or more. There is nothing much to choose between any of them, imo. I am with Flogas at present and have no complaints at all. In my experience all the drivers and engineers are fine people. It is only their sales policies, which are so rapacious. I do miss Woldlink!

masetmt

Just done my renewal with Avanti: 

Supply of LPG at 36 pence per litre fixed for 12 months (+5% VAT)

In the 2nd 12 months of the agreement your price will be reflective of the LPG market, however we'd like to reassure you that there is a cap on operational increases. Your price cannot increase by more than 3 pence in any given 6-month period for operational costs

Mister_G

masetmt said:

Just done my renewal with Avanti: 

Supply of LPG at 36 pence per litre fixed for 12 months (+5% VAT)

In the 2nd 12 months of the agreement your price will be reflective of the LPG market, however we'd like to reassure you that there is a cap on operational increases. Your price cannot increase by more than 3 pence in any given 6-month period for operational costs

Typical Avanti (and any other LPG supplier!) sneaky wording! I don't suppose their operational costs are  going to increase by more than that.

However, the wholesale gas price may well do in the current climate!

JerryW

masetmt said:

Just done my renewal with Avanti: 

Supply of LPG at 36 pence per litre fixed for 12 months (+5% VAT)

In the 2nd 12 months of the agreement your price will be reflective of the LPG market, however we'd like to reassure you that there is a cap on operational increases. Your price cannot increase by more than 3 pence in any given 6-month period for operational costs

I assume you are aware, that leaves you open to an unlimited increase after year 1. To "reflect the lpg market."

It is why I always recommend a 2 year fix.

Lumphammer2

So, 'operation increases' does not include any increases in the 'LPG' market?

Sorting_Hat

For some firms the gas price and operating costs are two components. So they can promise a cap on one element or the other but not both leaving them able to apply increases over and above that cap in total.  Other firms make no such distinction and have a an all encompassing cap on everything. 

JerryW

Sorting_Hat said:

For some firms the gas price and operating costs are two components. So they can promise a cap on one element or the other but not both leaving them able to apply increases over and above that cap in total.  Other firms make no such distinction and have a an all encompassing cap on everything. 

Maybe, but I have never been with one of those latter, although I have been with Avanti, Calor and Flogas. For each of those the operational costs increases specifically did not include market adjustments. However close examination of contract should make it clear one way or the other.

JerryW

Lumphammer2 said:

So, 'operation increases' does not include any increases in the 'LPG' market?

My Avanti contract said:

We may increase the current gas price .. 6.4a where the cost of supplying the gas increases due to an underlying increase in the wholesale cost of gas by an amound that reflects the increase ... then

6.4b says, inter alia ... "for the avoidance of doubt, no limit shall apply to any increase under clause 6.4a."

I told them I was unwilling to sign such a contract; and after a bit of toing and froing, they confirmed in writing they would not increase the price by more than 3p in year two, and didn't.

Your contract should hold the answer to your question, one way or the other

Gambler

I'm going to view a house on a fairly new (18 months) estate on Saturday and was shocked to notice that they are on LPG. I'm assuming it's a communal supply but will check at the viewing.

Been scouring the web trying to find current prices without much luck. Some sources are stating LPG costs twice as much as normal gas.

Just wondering what people's real world experiences are.

Thanks

Sorting_Hat

Yes its not a budget option. In normal times LPG is around a 3rd more expensive.
If by communal supply I guess its a metered estate? So you will pay a yearly meter charge.  Also make sure you are joining an existing umbrella agreement so are paying the same as all the rest living there and with the same end date of that agreement so you can all negotiate en-masse for the next 2 year contract.  You will be talking with your neighbours about gas a lot.