How often do you fill your LPG tank?

bosmart

I am wondering if I should switch from oil to LPG but I don't want to fill my tank every month. So, how often do you need to fill yours and what is the capacity?

Mister_G

bosmart wrote: »

I am wondering if I should switch from oil to LPG but I don't want to fill my tank every month. So, how often do you need to fill yours and what is the capacity?

There will be a lot of factors to consider. I'm sure that others will tell you more!

I have a 4 bed semi in rural Hampshire with CWI, single glazed windows and 150mm loft insulation. We get through 3000 litres a year on average. I have a 1200 litre tank, which is pretty standard. The heating is on from 6.30 to 8.30 and 4.30 to 10.30 each day.

We do have a log burner, which has helped reduce our gas consumption during the really cold spells.

Hope that helps

bosmart

Who is your LPG supplier if you don't mind me asking? And most importantly, how do they know that you're running out of gas to schedule a delivery? Do you need to notify them yourself (I'm currently using natural gas, so I don't have this kind of problems)? I have come across a press release on FloGas rolling out a telemetry system, I wonder if it's worth a shot.

Mister_G

bosmart wrote: »

Who is your LPG supplier if you don't mind me asking? And most importantly, how do they know that you're running out of gas to schedule a delivery? Do you need to notify them yourself (I'm currently using natural gas, so I don't have this kind of problems)? I have come across a press release on FloGas rolling out a telemetry system, I wonder if it's worth a shot.

I use a local independent company, HBS Fuels. I ring them up when my tank is just under a 1/4 full, when I've then got room for 1000 litres. They usually come out within 4-5 days to fill me up.

I used to be with Calor, which had the tank telemetry, so I never had to ring them up for an order. However, Calor became very expensive, so I changed supplier. I find HBS very good and I do not have to have a contract with them. This means that if their price becomes too exorbitant, I can change immediately. Mind you, I've been paying 45ppl for the past 18 months or so, which seems a pretty fair price.

bosmart

And what about tank maintenance? I've read somewhere that if you don't have a contract, the tank is your responsibility...

Mister_G

bosmart wrote: »

And what about tank maintenance? I've read somewhere that if you don't have a contract, the tank is your responsibility...

In my case, my new supplier took over the tank from Calor.

If you supply your own tank, then you are responsible for maintenance and testing.

ilikecookies

bosmart wrote: »

I am wondering if I should switch from oil to LPG but I don't want to fill my tank every month. So, how often do you need to fill yours and what is the capacity?

Why switch to a more expensive and in many ways less flexible fuel source?

We switched from LPG to oil and in addition to price the capacity of the LPG tank was an issue too. I think there are two standard domestic tank sizes - 1200L and 2000L. Both, however, can only hold 85% of that capacity as the gas needs room to expand.

Admittedly when we had LPG we were using it with a hideously inefficient AGA (maybe 60% efficient at best) and even with frugal use (eg. 2 hours in the normal and 2 hours at night) we'd get through a 1200L tank in 3-4 weeks. This meant constant fill-ups which was stressful, especially during bouts of bad weather. Also it meant that we were exposed to the winter price increases.

As such in addition to oil being cheaper per kw/h we like the flexibility of a big tank (2500 litres) which allows us to fill-in gradually over the summer months, spreading the cost when the oil price is usually lower. Also at least with oil you are not beholden to one supplier but can ring around for quotes, etc. Plus no standard charge, etc etc.

pinkmami

we live in rural Wales in a 4 bed cottage (half new extension & half old stone cottage). The new part is lovely & toasty compared to the original cottage. Our tank is 1410L and we moved in August & got our 1st delivery in July & we've just had our 3rd delivery so I guess about 3 times a year. We're with Avanti (2 yr contract & it will soon end) and we pay £70 a month DD which just about covers the gas we use. I call them up to order when the gauge reads 20% and they come within 3 days.

Its been a long cold winter (it was awful up here when we moved in & has been ever since!!) so I've had to use a lot of gas so I hope that was the worse we'll experience for a few years!

We also have an 8kw multifuel stove in the living room & that really helps keep the room toasty!

darren_clarke

what boiler do you have, have a look in the manual or go on line or phone them up and ask them, what the gas flow rate is in litres and kg per hour

also you might need to change boiler, as some boilers wont work on lpg if they are working on oil,