Domestic LPG Prices

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (or LPG for short) is the nearest thing a rural household will get to a natural gas supply. As with all oil-based fuels the retail price can fluctuate wildly, so it is important that you thoroughly research LPG gas suppliers before committing to a contract. LPG suppliers will typically own the storage tank and only they are allowed to refill it. This does leave the homeowner with the unsavoury situation of being locked in to one supplier, but this is the way things are done in the LPG industry

It was once the case that if you decided to switch supplier then you may face 'uplift' charges (where your old supplier removes their tank) and also installation charges from your new supplier. The new supplier may have absorbed the installation costs into the fuel supply price, so that you aren't hit with a large bill up-front. Nowadays, householders can (subject to site survey) switch suppliers without changing the tank or pipework. Here are they key points and benefits to the householder:

  • The new supplier in effect buys the tank from the old supplier.
  • There are strict time limits imposed on the old supplier to complete their part of the transfer.
  • No contract with exclusivity clauses can last for more than two years
  • The existing supplier remains the emergency contact for the customer until transfer is complete.

When you are considering which supplier to choose, bear in mind these costs:

  • Tank/pipework installation cost
  • Hire charge (of the tank, during operation)
  • LPG fuel cost (pence per litre)
  • Termination charges

Also be mindful of the small-print in any contract you sign, especially in terms of contract period and cancellation options.