Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

Lisa_mj

JerryW said:

It is clear that there are many people who find it hard to get to grips with the LPG bulk gas market. Not surprising, given the free-for-all nature of the market, the lack of heavy regulation, and the undeniably rapacious nature of the major suppliers' sales departments. Many of us are not used to fending for ourselves any more,  in such a market.

But very reasonable deals can be had once you are used to the way it works. In an effort to be helpful, I have listed some points below that should be borne in mind; I will repeat this post every couple of months, as new folk do appear here regularly.. if you have any helpful comments, I will add them:

- contracts are for two years. ALWAYS ask for a fixed 2 year quote. All major suppliers will do this. I have had them myself from Avanti, Calor and Flogas

- Get quotes from everyone who will supply (google is your friend!) and also from LPG Save.

- Go for the cheapest one, because all the major suppliers (Avanti, Calor, Flogas) have very similar levels of service

- don't be afraid to negotiate; tell them you will sign up, if they will do it for xp/l less

- When they send you a contract to sign, read it carefully. Don't be afraid to cross out and initial any clauses that no longer apply, given the price is fixed for 2 years. If you sign up to a contract fixed for 12m and variable for the next 12m they will cane you in year two, Even if they say max increase 3p/l or similar, there will be a clause somewhere that gives them power to apply an unlimited increase if their supply price goes up.

- DON'T sign up to pay by regular direct debit, or sign up to an auto top-up arrangement, or accept any remote monitoring device. Monitor the gas level each month yourself, and simply tell them to fill it when it gets down to 25-30%. You can place an order online. If the cost of a full tank is hard to handle, save £x into a separate account yourself to pay for it.

- you should be eligible for a government payout of £200 under the energy price guarantee. I am not sure of the timings here.. talk to your electricity provider (daft I know, but they administer the payments). Mine arrived early March 2023

I am currently on a recently concluded (nov 22) 2 year fixed contract at 47p/l with Flogas. If I were doing it now, I might expect to do a little better. Aim for 40-45p/l.

I hope this helps. any other questions just say.. It may all feel a bit like the wild West to start with, but the system works if you keep your wits about you, and I reckon LPG is cheaper than oil or electricity by a fair bit, just at present, and not far off mains gas.It is the free market in action, welcome aboard! The market is as competitive as we make it..

Thanks Jerry W, very helpful advice to LPG newbies and veterans alike. 

I would just add that deals are often region sensitive. I am now into my third two year contract, I also renewed last November and I tried my absolute hardest to get the best deal using hints and tips I'd read on this useful forum and I ended up with 53p in year 1 and year 2 capped increased 5ppl with Flogas via the lovely people at LPG Save (a little regrettably now, wishing I'd held my nerve). I'm in West Yorks.

On the £200 AFP (Alternative Fuel Payment), this should have been credited to your electricity account by your electricity provider BUT the electricity providers were dependent on a list of off-grid names and addresses from your local council.  If your name and address was not included on the local council list the electricity provider cannot credit the £200 and you have to apply via the government portal.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic

JerryW

Lisa_mj said:

Thanks Jerry W, very helpful advice to LPG newbies and veterans alike. 

I would just add that deals are often region sensitive. I am now into my third two year contract, I also renewed last November and I tried my absolute hardest to get the best deal using hints and tips I'd read on this useful forum and I ended up with 53p in year 1 and year 2 capped increased 5ppl with Flogas via the lovely people at LPG Save (a little regrettably now, wishing I'd held my nerve). I'm in West Yorks.

On the £200 AFP (Alternative Fuel Payment), this should have been credited to your electricity account by your electricity provider BUT the electricity providers were dependent on a list of off-grid names and addresses from your local council.  If your name and address was not included on the local council list the electricity provider cannot credit the £200 and you have to apply via the government portal.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic

Definitely the price you will get, and the range of providers, does vary quite a bit from region to region. I love to support the independents, but here in the SE there are none that I have ever found to be competitive. Google is your friend! Googling "bulk lpg kent" or whatever does find more suppliers than a site like liquidgasuk will provide   ..

Lisa_mj

AFP update - my application has been successful (that said there's no reason why it shouldn't have been) and the £200 should be in my account in the next 5-6 working days...watch this space

Burbage_Fox_2

Lisa_mj said:

AFP update - my application has been successful (that said there's no reason why it shouldn't have been) and the £200 should be in my account in the next 5-6 working days...watch this space

Lisa That’s encouraging !

UK Gov have said mine has been passed onto the council for final verification but after calling both town and county councils neither knew much and will get back to me. 

My post code for delivery is different to my address so possibly why I never got the original payment but don’t want to let the £200 slip away. 

Lisa_mj

Good luck Burbage_Fox, sorry to hear you are still having to jump hurdles for something that should have been so straightforward.

Incidentally, there has been a change to the criteria, originally you had to provide evidence that you had paid a fuel bill from Sept 2022 onwards, this has now been extended backwards to June 2022. This is good news for anyone who hasn't had to top up since June 2022 (like my neighbour)

Lisa_mj

AFP further update: £200 landed in my bank account today as a credit from my local authority 

Burbage_Fox_2

Lisa_mj said:

AFP further update: £200 landed in my bank account today as a credit from my local authority 

Good to hear , I spoke to Hinckley and Bosworth council on Friday and they said there was a backlog with their payments , I hope I’m surprised as 6 weeks is up tomorrow. 

y-o-r-k-y

Been waiting over 6 weeks now for an outcome , now replied to original confirmation email to chase.

Lisa_mj

y-o-r-k-y said:

Been waiting over 6 weeks now for an outcome , now replied to original confirmation email to chase.

Ring the helpline on 0808 175 3943, it's a freephone number, unfortunately closed on weekends but open 8am to 6pm on weekdays. Good luck

Burbage_Fox_2

y-o-r-k-y said:

Been waiting over 6 weeks now for an outcome , now replied to original confirmation email to chase.

I will be interested in how you get on I will be 7 weeks on 25/04/23. 

I’m just told by council there is a backlog 🙁 not a lot work’s in the UK lately for me.