Calor gas "for dummies"?

HelenYorkshire

Hi

I'm relocating soon, and the property I'm hoping to rent uses calor gas rather than mains gas. It seems to run into a "normal" boiler - wall mounted in kitchen - that runs cooker and central heating.

Starting at a child's level, how does this work? So far I gather that calor own the cylinders, and we swap empty for full, at a price. What's a reasonable price? Are there different companies out there? Would another company use a calor cylinder; or would I have to buy their cylinders? Can a normal gas oven work on this gas?

Should I ignore the gas entirely and cook on a BBQ......?

Thank you

G_M

The boiler/cooker are just like any boiler/cooker.

Is the gas in a tank, or in cylinders?

Be aware that calor gas is considerably more expensive than mains gas! And yes, the cylinders are owned by the company making 'shopping around' hard.

HelenYorkshire

Big red cylinders, maybe 4 feet tall?

bobhawke

HelenYorkshire wrote: »

Hi

I'm relocating soon, and the property I'm hoping to rent uses calor gas rather than mains gas. It seems to run into a "normal" boiler - wall mounted in kitchen - that runs cooker and central heating.

Starting at a child's level, how does this work? So far I gather that calor own the cylinders, and we swap empty for full, at a price. What's a reasonable price? Are there different companies out there? Would another company use a calor cylinder; or would I have to buy their cylinders? Can a normal gas oven work on this gas?

Should I ignore the gas entirely and cook on a BBQ......?

Thank you

Depends on area and how many you are buying but £50-£60 is about the best price you can expect. Note I didn't say fair... the big 4 (Calor, Flogas, Shell, BP) are screwing everybody.

There are other companies out there, the big 4 that I mentioned above and a handful of other independent ones dotted about the country. These companies that bottle the gas then sell them to stockists, you are usually better dealing with the independent stockists, more flexability with them and better service.
If you went to another company, some will take the calor bottle so you won't have to pay a bottle deposit, some won't. If you need bottles for a deposit you can usually find them at your local tip if you ask nicely. Anything in your house that runs on gas can run off of propane bottles.
Be careful of getting tied in to a contract with somebody offering good prices in summer then jacking them up in the winter.

HelenYorkshire

Thank you

I didn't realise it was a contract - I thought it would be a single transaction per swap.
Ohhh yes I fully expect to get screwed by all utilities! Will be trying to live OS style, and at least there is insulation fitted in roof.
I've heard different views on the gas cooker, so I'm going to find out model number and speak to manufacturer (New World, if anyone here happens to know...... )

Thank you

Owain_Moneysaver

Mains gas appliances need to be modified to run on LPG. They must not be run on LPG unmodified.

Most (but not all) have a manufacturer's kit to do this.

Also note that LPG gas has different qualifications from mains gas, so you have to use a Gas Safe registered fitter with LPG qualifications.

warriorfullights

If you don't have that much time to decide which you are going to use, try to stick on LPG's for the meantime and try to learn more about mains gas since it is a bit complication to use that regular LPG. It may be normal for some, but for me it is a bit technical. Always check fire dept near you for fire/gas home safety measures.