Changes bring benefits to rural fuel consumers

Energy users in the countryside can now have many of the advantages and benefits enjoyed by their town and city based counterparts, according to leading LPG supplier Calor.

Following the introduction of the Competition Commission in April this year, all LPG users across the UK are discovering how more flexible supply agreements are being made available to them, in a similar way to the deregulation of the natural gas consumer market back in the 1990s. As the 2009 winter heating season approaches, householders using LPG to fuel their homes are now able to change their supplier much more easily.

Laura Luty, bulk market manager for Calor, said: “For people living in the country or any area where there is no access to the mains gas network – estimated at around 1.7m homes in the UK – LPG is the cleanest fossil fuel available.

“The changes brought about by the Competition Commission mean that LPG is a much more flexible option with supply companies now taking away much of the hassle for consumers wishing to change their provider.”

LPG is usually stored in a large tank adjacent to the property, either above or below ground, which is owned and maintained by the supplier. Under the new rules, the incoming provider can either buy the existing tank or install a new one at no cost to the customer.

While the Competition Commission has made life a lot easier for existing LPG users, the changes make LPG an even more attractive fuel choice for non-mains-gas homeowners.

Laura Luty continued: “Since the arrival of the credit crunch, many people are looking to improve and renovate their properties rather than move and this process will very often include an update of the heating system, which in turn will increase their energy efficiency.

“There is much to be gained for homeowners still using some of the older, more traditional fossil fuels such as oil or even solid fuel by installing a new boiler and switching to LPG at the same time. Those who do make the change usually notice a significant difference in their fuel usage and spend fairly quickly.”

As well as fuelling heating and hot water, LPG offers all of the advantages of mains-gas including the ability to provide a real flame for cooking and for heating appliances. And for householders who may be thinking of installing renewable systems such as solar thermal, LPG can very easily work in conjunction with such technologies.

More information on how to change an LPG supplier can be obtained from the LPG users association at lpguk.org.uk