Bulk LPG - Cheapest suppliers / supply route?

ironnick

Just opened an email from LPG solutions. They say they can get me a supplier in my area at .1p cheaper than I was quoted by FLOGAS and at the same daily hire charge that they quoted me on the phone. Hmmmm....... I think I'll try and haggle when it starts getting critical. There seems to be a price war looming and prices seem to be dropping. I'm going to watch and wait, for the time being.
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Ferretman_2

Hi
I moving into a 3 bed rented property next week & it has an LPG tank (above ground) - not 100% sure on the size but thinking its probably the 1200 (judging from the size of it - about 20 mtr long) - a few questions for those of you that are used to using LGP...as I`ve always has mains supply !
The landlord has suggested we shop around for a supplier (suggesting that theres not contact been signed for it) its a Shell tank.
Can anyone give me a "rough" idea on how long a full tank would last?...I appreciate that it`ll obviously depend on use but just a idea would be appreciated.
It has a new condensing boiler so hoping this will be quite efficent !?!
I can see from the other posts on here suggest that it costs between 30-40 ppl...but whats with the hire costs??
Any suggestions would be most welcome !!!
Cheers

ironnick

Ferretman - We're in an older 3 bed semi, that's been renovated and has all the wall / ceiling stuff etc. I fill up twice a year (2200 tank) that is once it gets down to 15% ish. We run the heating and water twice a day (2 hrs & 3 hrs). The central heating is at 17 Ish. See my previous posts re costs.
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Ferretman_2

Cheers for that Ironnick... most helpfull

JWakerley

Like many peopel on this forum, I have become completely fed up with the way rural fuel users (i.e. off the mains gas network) are treated by the big suppliers. I have to 0sue Flogas for 47kg cylinder supply as they are the only ones around - and they have systematically jacked up their prices evey time crude oil has gone up, but never the price fall down. One of their staff actually said to me " it never goes down - only up". I wrote to their MD and he got one of his lackeys to call me. He assured me I am paying a good price. Well at nearly £90 for two cylinders I think I am being ripped off.

So I have posted a petition on the Number 10 website demanding that suppliers of LPG and heating oil are regulated just like the electricity and mains gas suppliers are. Regulation is there for the bulk LPG market making moving suppliers easier. And it should result in better competition. But not for cylinders. The only other supplier that will deliver to me is Calor, but they charge the same prices. I think this shows there is no competitive market operating for cylinders.

Please sign my petition at the Number 10 website

The petition reads:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Legislate to
allow regulation of all energy supplies, not just mains
electrcity and gas but LPG and heating oil too.

Users of mains gas and electricity have the benefit of Ofgem
regulating the industry. Users of bulk LPG will soon have the
right to switch suppliers. But users of cylinder LPG and
heating oil are often restricted to local suppliers, who fix
prices between them, eliminating real competition. All sources
of home heating fuel should be regulated and any profiteering
by suppliers should result in fines on their profits. Rural
fuel users off the mains network are being penalised, and
prevented from connection to the mains by huge costs imposed by
the big suppliers.

Naizby

Beware of Dual fuel offer from Flogas. I have just had a dual fuel offer from Flogas in cooperation with British Gas for electricity. I am currently using Scottish Power for electricity.
I checked the online price offered by British Gas as part of this offer and the price of electricity would have soared.

The offer is not clear on paper or online and it does not appear that Flogas have any intention of lowering their prices at all.

ironnick

Anyone got any up to date prices that are being quoted?
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Zeph

I got some quick quotes in Hampshire week beginning 20 April:
HBS Fuels 30ppl 0ppd
Extra Fuels 30ppl 65.59ppd (or 0ppd if you own the tank - this was the only company who don't insist on owning the tank)
Countrywide 33ppl 16.48ppd
Shell 35ppl 16.48ppd
Flogas 39ppl 20.55ppd
Calor 39.9ppl 16.9ppd
The problem is they want to lock you into 24 month contracts which I have no desire to sign up to. i have just moved into the house and there is no contract in place. What would you do in this situation?

Without looking at the quotes / contracts in great detail, I believe that the rates may be varied, and so could go up further next winter?

paulpod

I did a ring round and have the same or extremely similar prices. Also BP were not supplying for tanks less than 2000L

We would have gone with Countrywide but the tank as installed does not comply with their guidance for distance from a shed. HBS don't do our region. Not heard of Extra Fuels - will try them. Didn't manage to hear back from Lister gases, should probably try them again.

So we are stuck - for what it's worth, we called Flogas and they immediately matched the Countrywide price, which isn't too bad I suppose, but don't get the glow of joy from their customers on this forum so holding off sending a signed contract *just* yet.

ironnick

Great replies. I'll have another go this week, when I get an opportunity. Will let you know how I get on.
IN