If you’re thinking of switching LPG supplier 7 things to consider before you do. Whether you’ve been with the same LPG supplier for years, your current agreement is coming to an end, or you simply want to see what else is out there, there are plenty of reasons why you might be thinking about switching LPG supplier.
And whether it’s to keep your home warm or to play an important part in keeping your business running, choosing the right LPG supplier is an important decision.
While cost will naturally be part of the decision, there’s more to choosing an LPG supplier than the price per litre. Reliable deliveries, transparent pricing, a flexible supply network, knowledgeable people at the end of the phone and the right technical and engineering support all matter too.
After all, your LPG supplier isn’t just responsible for delivering gas. They should understand the tank and installation behind it too, from tank siting and safety requirements to ongoing testing, maintenance and engineering support. That’s particularly important for commercial customers, where LPG installations and requirements can be more complex, but it’s just as important when LPG is heating your home.
At Robinsons Gas, LPG is what we know. Our expertise extends beyond filling tanks to the engineering and technical expertise that sits behind a safe and reliable LPG supply – we’re your trusted bulk all-round LPG supplier. So, before you make the switch, here are seven things we think are worth considering.
1. Look beyond the headline LPG price
A competitive LPG price matters. But when you’re comparing quotes, make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting for your money.
Ask how your price is calculated, whether it is linked to a particular benchmark or index, how often it can change and importantly, what happens to the price you pay when wholesale LPG costs move.
A fixed price can offer certainty, but the price that looks attractive today may not look quite so appealing a few months down the line. If wholesale LPG prices fall, you could remain fixed at the higher rate until your fixed-price period comes to an end.
At Robinsons Gas, we like to keep things straightforward. Our Cost Plus Tracker uses the average daily LPG cost from the refineries we work with, giving you competitive, transparent pricing that moves with the market. When those costs fall, we can reduce your LPG price too, passing on savings without delay.
For businesses with significant LPG usage, that can make a real difference. Whether you’re heating poultry sheds, running a busy hotel, pub or restaurant, or using LPG as part of an industrial process, even a relatively small difference in the price per litre can soon add up when you’re using LPG in volume.
The same principal applies at home. If LPG keeps your home warm and your hot water running, it’s worth looking beyond the initial unit pence per litre and considering how your pricing could change over the course of your agreement.
A good LPG quote shouldn’t just tell you what you’ll pay today. It should help you understand how your price is calculated, what influences it and what happens when the market moves.
2. Find out where your LPG comes from
It might not be the first thing that springs to mind when choosing an LPG supplier but it’s worth understanding where your LPG comes from and how your supplier manages its supply network.
A supplier that isn’t reliant on a single supply point has more options when it comes to planning deliveries and responding when circumstances change. That flexibility can be particularly important during periods of increased demand or when there are disruptions elsewhere in the supply chain.
At Robinsons Gas, our ability to source LPG from different refineries together with our nationwide network of depots gives us greater flexibility when planning supply and helps us keep LPG moving to where it’s needed. Whether you’re in Northumberland, North Yorkshire, or Nottinghamshire, or further south in Reading or Maidstone, there’s a strong supply network behind your deliveries.
For commercial customers, that resilience matters. If you’re heating poultry sheds, keeping guests warm in a hotel, running the kitchens in a busy pub or restaurant, or relying on LPG for a manufacturing process, an interruption to supply can quickly become much more than an inconvenience.
And of course, reliable supply matters at home too. When LPG provides heating, hot water and cooking, particularly through the colder months, you want the reassurance of knowing there’s a robust supply network behind your deliveries.
So, when comparing LPG suppliers, don’t just ask how much your LPG will cost. Ask where it comes from, how it gets to you, and what flexibility your supplier has if circumstances change.
3. Think about reliability, not just cost
The cheapest LPG isn’t much use if it isn’t there when you need it. That’s why reliability and service should sit alongside price when you’re comparing suppliers.
Think about how you use LPG and what an interruption to supply could mean for you. For a poultry farmer, maintaining the right temperature in sheds is essential. For a care home, LPG could be keeping the heating on, hot water running and kitchens cooking. And at home, it could be responsible for the everyday essentials your family relies on.
A good LPG supplier should take time to understand that.
Ask how your deliveries will be managed, whether your tank levels can be monitored, and what happens if your LPG consumption suddenly changes. Seasonal businesses in particular can see usage rise and fall significantly throughout the year, so your supplier needs to understand your normal usage as well as the times when demand is likely to increase.
4. Ask what engineering support is available
Your relationship with an LPG supplier shouldn’t begin and end with a tanker arriving to make a delivery.
There’s a whole LPG installation behind your supply and keeping your tank and associated equipment safe and properly maintained is incredibly important. Whether it’s supplying a family home or metered estate, heating kennels or catteries, serving a holiday park or fueling a distillery, your LPG tank needs the right care and specialist expertise throughout its life.
So when you’re considering a new supplier, ask what engineering support comes with the service. Do they have their own engineers? Can they advise on tank siting, installation and safety? What about ongoing maintenance, tank testing or alterations to your existing LPG system? And if something needs attention, is there someone with the specialist knowledge to understand what’s required?
Tank safety should never be an afterthought. Bulk LPG tanks and installations need to meet strict safety requirements, and the area around your tank needs to remain suitable too. Changes to a site over time, from new buildings and extensions to fencing, electrical equipment, planting or changes in vehicle access, can all potentially affect an LPG installation. Having knowledgeable engineering support behind your supply can therefore make a real difference.
At Robinsons Gas, LPG engineering is a core part of what we do. From site inspection to groundwork, we do it all!
Our MD, Jim Robinson, is a civil engineer, and together with his team, personally oversees our installation and maintenance service. With our own in-house engineers, we combine reliable LPG supply with the specialist technical expertise needed to look after the installation behind it.
Our team can support customers with everything from new tank installations and tank siting to testing, maintenance and changes to existing LPG installations, with safety at the heart of everything we do.
For commercial customers, having LPG supply and engineering expertise under one roof can make life that little bit easier. And our domestic customers benefit from exactly the same knowledge and reassuring support too.
5. Consider the service you’ll receive
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference.
When you call, can you speak to someone that can actually help? Does your supplier take the time to understand what you need? And if you have a question or something changes, can you siimply pick up the phone and talk it through?
At Robinsons Gas, we don’t believe LPG should be one-size-fits-all. Whether we’re supplying your home or your business, we take the time to understand what you use LPG for, how much you’re likely to need and what’s important to you.
And importantly, we’re always at the end of the phone. Whether you want to talk about a delivery, have a question about your tank, need some advice or simply want to speak to someone about your account, our friendly team is here to help.
Because while LPG is our business, we know it probably isn’t yours. Whether you’re running a business or keeping your home warm, you should be able to get on with the things that matter to you and leave the LPG to us.
6. Find out what happens when something goes wrong
It’s easy to judge an LPG supplier when everything is running smoothly. But what happens when something doesn’t go to plan?
Before switching LPG supplier, it’s worth finding out what support will be available if you have a problem with your LPG supply, tank or installation. Who can you speak to? What happens outside normal working hours? And, importantly, will there be someone with the right LPG knowledge and experience available to help?
At Robinsons Gas, our support doesn’t stop when the office closes. Our customers have access to a 24/7 emergency phone line, so if there’s an LPG emergency, there’s always someone available when you need them.
And because we’re more than an LPG delivery company, that support is backed by specialist LPG engineering expertise. Our team understand the tanks, pipework, equipment and installations behind your supply, so you can have confidence that there’s knowledgeable support on hand when it matters.
For a business that relies on LPG, that reassurance can be particularly important. Whether it’s maintaining the right temperatures in poultry sheds or keeping the heating and hot water running in hospitality, an LPG problem can quickly have an impact on day-to-day operations.
It matters at home too. If LPG provides your heating and hot water, particularly during the colder months, you want to know where to turn if there’s a problem.
After all, good service is easy when everything is going to plan. It’s when something doesn’t that you really find out how good your LPG supplier is.
7. Understand what’s involved in switching
One thing that can put people off changing LPG supplier is the thought that switching will be complicated, time-consuming or disruptive. But with the right supplier guiding you through the process, it doesn’t need to be.
Before making a decision, ask your prospective supplier to explain exactly what will happen, what they will take care of and what, if anything they’ll need from you.
Depending on your existing agreement and LPG installation, there may be practical considerations around your LPG tank as well as your supply contract. Your new supplier should take the time to understand your existing set-up, identify anything that needs attention and talk you through the process before the switch gets underway.
For domestic bulk LPG customers, there are specific rules around switching supplier and supplier-owned tanks. Domestic customers can switch at the end of their two-year exclusivity period, and in the majority of cases, the existing LPG tank can remain in place and ownership and responsibility for it will transfer to the new supplier.
For commercial customers, arrangements are different, which makes it even more important to speak to your new supplier early.
At Robinsons Gas, we’ll talk you through the process from the start, take care of the details and work to minimise disruption to your business and keep things straightforward.
Ready to make the switch?
Ultimately, choosing your LPG supplier is about finding the right overall fit. You want the confidence that your LPG will be there when you need it, and that, if you ever need help, there are knowledgeable people there to support you. So, before making your decision, look at the whole package.
At Robinsons Gas, our many years working with local businesses has provided us with expertise in many sectors. We’ll take the time to understand your business, talk you through your options, and explain pricing clearly, helping you make the right fuel choices. And if you decide to switch to us, once you give us the go-ahead, we’ll work with you to make the move as simple and hassle-free as possible.
To find out more about switching to Robinsons Gas, get in touch with our friendly team on 01347 238177.