LPG - Caravan

jos22

I have a caravan (static) that I use a lot. The caravan has central heating & the LPG is at present supplied in 47Kg bottles. I estimate that I use approx 700 litres per year.
What would be involved in installing a tank? Cost? Regulations? Size? Minimum delivery quantities?
Could a tank be sited at a lower level than the caravan?
Basically any help anyone can give.
The caravan is on a commercial site (small & hilly) so I know I would need the site owners permission.
Thanks in advance. :beer:

Mikeyorks

http://www.lpg-heating.co.uk/lpg-gas-supply/underground-tanks.htm

Have a look at this Calor link - and some of the other LPG links on their site. Calor would insist on providing / installing / maintaining the tank in order to comply with the mass of Regs surrounding bulk storage. And every other supplier I've come across has the same attitude re the tank provision.

Sorry - not up to date on costs. But, as you already know it's not the cheapest?

Ted_Hutchinson

jos22 wrote:

I have a caravan (static) that I use a lot. The caravan has central heating & the LPG is at present supplied in 47Kg bottles. I estimate that I use approx 700 litres per year.
What would be involved in installing a tank? Cost? Regulations? Size? Minimum delivery quantities?
Could a tank be sited at a lower level than the caravan?
Basically any help anyone can give.
The caravan is on a commercial site (small & hilly) so I know I would need the site owners permission.
Thanks in advance. :beer:

I think the problem with tanks is that the tank remains the property of the LPG supplier, So while they may offer tempting deals to get you to sign up, they then have you by the short and curlies and can charge what they like as it's going to cost you to change to another provider.
There are some submissions to the Competition Commission here which detail peoples complaints about the current system.
My last lot of LPG cost £30 (Sept, cooking only) for 47kg around 64p kg = approx 32p litre but no upfront costs, no maintainance, and I can shop around for the cheapest supplier in my area. Calor are currently charging 34plitre for LPG to bulk tanks so I don't think you are going to save much and may well end up paying more. That is until the Competition Commission gets its finger out and makes the LPG suppliers compete with each other.

jos22

Thanks to you both for the info.

I am tied to the site owner for the supply & the current price he charges is £47 for 47Kg. I believe the RRP is about £52 and I know from when I used to be involved in the selling of propane (in cylinders) that the mark up is about 100%.

Hopefully if I can get enough info I am hoping to persuade the site owner to switch over to a tank & hopefully get a price nearer to the prices mentioned in other threads of about 35p litre. My best "ammo" so far is that he will not have to "man handle" heavy cylinders in all weathers and he is not getting any younger.

FirstClassMale

Heres a possible solution, provided you have the means of transport.

https://www.gasrefill.com

Quite an expensive start up but gives you the freedom to simply pop down to your local filling station.

david29dpo

from a friend who has a caravan, you have'nt a hope in hell in getting the site owner to agree to this, he makes money from you selling the gas to you. sorry.

jos22

FirstClassMale - thank you. Gas cylinders are to be transported standing up and with a saloon car and 47Kg cylinders, sorry not an option. I have condsidered going down to the 19Kg cylinders but I would need to notify my insurance company and carry a fair few. Thanks for the response.

David29dpo - thank you. Fortunate but I have a very easy going site owner. On the 19Kg cylinders he lets the owners supply their own even though it is in his rules that he supplies. The Owner did originally "float" the idea of tanks, he just needs a little push. I do realise that he would probably still be looking to make money out of the scheme but if he can save some work & I can save a little money I would be happy.
Thank you for your response.