LPG suppliers in Northumberland?

MrPez

I am considering installing an LPG boiler in my place in Warkworth, Northumberland and am having trouble at the first hurdle in finding suppliers!

I've looked on UKLPG.org and searched under my post code but most of them on there have replied saying they don't cover my area.

Only flogas and extrafuel have replied saying they cover my area.

Does anyone know of any other suppliers, and if so, who is cheapest?!

Unfortunately there is no gas where I live and I can't afford ground/air heat source just now, so oil and lpg are my only options!

LittleVermin

MrPez wrote: »

<snip> Only flogas and extrafuel have replied saying they cover my area. <snip>

Welcome to the Bulk LPG forum.

I expect you know that Extra Fuel and Flogas have quite different business models. Extra Fuel posts a monthly price at the beginning of each month (but reserves the right to tweak it if their wholesalers' prices go appreciably up/down in any month. Yes, they pass on sudden falls too!). You can see their prices over the last two years here. Flogas, on the other hand, charges the same price for long periods - and at least one person has posted (here) that the price never went down, not only over just 2 years but all the years shown on the chart. They also charge different customers very different prices simultaneously (e.g. 30 and 68 ppl!). You can find lots more about Flogas by using "Search this thread". Lots of posts, by lots of posters.

But - a word of caution: Extra Fuel is one of the independents which together make up only 10% of the LPG mainland domestic market. They are based in Manchester but I use them here in Cornwall - and they subcontract deliveries to Flogas. Historically independent LPG suppliers have been swallowed up by the majors (Calor, Flogas, BP and Shell - now Avanti) so if this happens again you might end up with just one supplier. Certainly some independents have been bought up in the last few years (but some of those are still trading under their former names).

Competition in the domestic LPG market? Well, if you are very lucky in where you live there might be ... The Office for Fair Trading thinks the market is working well (but some of us think the OFT is reporting on a parallel universe. Populated by flying pigs).
..

plumtreebabe

I live in Northumberland as well, but inthe National Park; I don't use lpg or gas (no central heating yet!) but in my experience there may be local suppliers whom you will only find out about by asking around. Its frustrating to us newcomers the number of local suppliers and tradesmen who don't use the internet. Ask at your local pub and post office - you may be pleasantly surprised.

MrPez

Thanks for the replies, I'll definitely ask around.

I have had one reply (BP) who gave me the following quote

• 2 year Agreement, which is based on the installation of a BP above ground tank.
• 46.95ppl fixed for 3 months (from date of verbal/non verbal agreement)
• 46.95ppl variable thereafter with *Price Protection*
• £60 standing charge per annum..
• £380.00 Installation fee.

Does this sound reasonable?

LittleVermin

MrPez wrote: »

<snip>I have had one reply (BP) who gave me the following quote
Does this sound reasonable?

Very interesting - thanks!

So they are charging £380 up-front for their tank? They have to offer sell it, at an externally fixed price (from the Competition Commission formula: Schedule1), to a new supplier if you decide to switch after 2 years. I paid an "Initial Standing Charge" of £35 for my new tank in 1991!

But the really interesting bit is the "Price Protection". How is this defined? How transparent is it? When I was with BP, until 2010, it was impossible to know if price rises were justified by wholesale prices (e.g. on Platts NW Europe index) unless you had paid a subscription (~£1k p.a.) for the data! And, of course, the price only ever went down once (despite the wholesale price falling - as I now know) - except when I was out of contract and complained: BP offered to drop my price from 53.95ppl to an initial 42.45 if I signed a 2 yr contract.

The initial price BP have offered you seems 'fair' at the present time - but you'll have read of lower prices from local independents on the forum. Unfortunately they're not in your area - though there may be others who choose not to pay a subscription to belong to UKLPG. "Ask around" is really good advice! Maybe even ask an autogas garage who delivers to them? Doesn't LPG Homeheat cover your area?

£60 rental p.a. for an above ground tank is fine.
..

MrPez

Sorry, should have put that bit in about the price protection
LPG Domestic Bulk Enquiry

*Price Protection. Our terms and conditions state that during any 6 month period whilst under contract , we will not increase your price by any more than 2.5ppl. If we do, we must prove to you in writing that the Cost of Product has risen and by how much.

Seems a bit washy...

Pansy_Potter

MrPez wrote: »

I am considering installing an LPG boiler in my place in Warkworth, Northumberland and am having trouble at the first hurdle in finding suppliers!

Hi there
I use LPG for my range, I live in North West Northumberland and I use Dixons of Westerhope who deliver into my area so I am sure they will deliver to you. I have found them to be very helpful indeed. Tel: 0191 286 9970/1 Fax: 0191 271 0276 they have a website at www.dixonsofwesterhope.co.uk

MrPez

Thanks Pansy, I've emailed dixons too.