Calor Gas rather than mains gas.

Tax_Slave

We were looking at a property in Perranporth Cornwall and it's a new build on an estate of several dozen properties still under construction.
However the alarm bells rang when the agent mentioned there was an annual maintenance charge of approx 100 GBP per year.
Big deal, but then the person expanded to say it was to cover the maintenance including the shared Calor Gas containers that supply the estate with gas :-)
I asked if the unit cost of calor gas was much more than mains supplied gas and the person said they did not know.
As we will be retiring to this property and thus home all day (4 bedroom property) I'm reluctant to progress any further not knowing if Calor Gas is going to cost us 10%, 20% or 40% more than being on mains gas.

Has anyone else got the pleasure of Calor Gas supply from a shared tank ?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

G_M

No idea about shared tanks, but I have looked at a number of properties with their own gas tanks.

I would not touch them.

I currently have an oil tank and so benefit from shopping around for oil suppliers each time I need to top up. With gas, the tank (I believe) is owned by the company so you have to use that company (and pay whatever they charge).

Plus recently, oil prices have more than halved, whilst I understand gas prices have moved very little......

For better information, post your query on the LPG/Oil board here.

macman

10-40%? Dream on. The price of LPG against mains gas is around twice as much per kWh. Around 9p vs 5p typically. And a shared tank is even worse, as you cannot negotiate your own rates.
Why on a new build they would install LPG vs oil is beyond me. E7 using NSH's is the only other real option, and is a good choice for a retirement property.
The agent is either clueless or simply unwilling to reveal a major downside of ownership to you. Either is likely.

Tax_Slave

Thanks for the reply.
It seems the alarm bells in my head are not false and the option of a home in this new estate in Perranporth is an option we will not go for.
I presume Perranporth is not on mains gas or at least this development isn't.

marksoton

Tax_Slave wrote: »

I presume Perranporth is not on mains gas or at least this development isn't.

Looking at the NG map there's no high pressure mains in that area so i'd say no.

But what a wonderful place to live,love the place.

vansboy

As mentioned the LPG option will be more costly, but like many things in a new home, compromise..as Phil & Kirsty say!

I'd imagine the home will be as well insulated as possible...maybe better than some older houses??

It's in a lovely place, or you wouldn't be looking there, would you?

You know how much you currently spend on gas/oil/electric, where you are at the moment. Is this a smaller house? Maybe you will be able to work the added cost, as an actual saving on something else??

VB

Irratus_Rusticus

Tax_Slave wrote: »

shared Calor Gas containers that supply the estate with gas

Does this mean multiple properties on the estate draw off the same tank? So while you economise neighbours turn up the thermostat and the shared tank just keeps needing refilling no matter what you do? Wouldn't like that.

agrinnall

Irratus_Rusticus wrote: »

Does this mean multiple properties on the estate draw off the same tank? So while you economise neighbours turn up the thermostat and the shared tank just keeps needing refilling no matter what you do? Wouldn't like that.

I would think that each property is metered so you'd only be paying for the gas that you use. But you're right that you'd have little control over when the tank needs refilling, and probably even less over what the cost at that time would be. Seems like a poor solution for the residents to me.

G_M

I guess another option would be not to use the gas.

Install electric storage heaters once you own the property.

Not recommending this, just suggesting........

bigfreddiel

Many small towns and villages in Cornwall are not on mains gas.

Perranporth may look nice especially if you come from up country, but there are a lot nicer places in the county. You need to live down here for a while before buying your retirement property.

Other things to look out for are buses, few and far between in rural areas.

Hospitals, you may need the, the main ones Truro, Plymouth,
Exeter, Barnstaple, Penzance, you could be 50+ miles away.
Radio especially DAB could be problematic.
Mobile phone, probably no 4g, maybe 3G, and may be non-existent.
Broods and, probably okay.

You will need to do a lot of research before moving. And beware of newbuild, bad quality, probably bought by buy to let so your neighbours may just be tenants.

Goodluck fj

macman

Irratus_Rusticus wrote: »

Does this mean multiple properties on the estate draw off the same tank? So while you economise neighbours turn up the thermostat and the shared tank just keeps needing refilling no matter what you do? Wouldn't like that.

No. Common tank or tanks, but individually metered.