Comparing LPG Gas Suppliers
When you’ve settled in your new address, you want to pick the best local supplier for something as critical as LPG.
So, it’s crucial to consider several factors when evaluating LPG gas suppliers.
Those with a local presence, proven safety, and reliability are often at the top of the list.
What Should You Look For In An LPG Supplier?
These are the most important factors to look for and consider when choosing an LPG supplier:
- Consumer star ratings – independent evaluations
- Emphasis on safety
- Reliability
- Competitive pricing
- Convenient delivery options
- Expert help for new LPG gas users
- Convenient and user-friendly apps
- 24/7 support
- Online functionality
- Local presence
- No contracts policy
Consumer Star Ratings
As with most products and services, LPG gas suppliers receive consumer reviews.
These reviews are especially important when selecting your LPG supplier, as poor LPG handling and delivery could mean expensive downtimes and exposure to safety hazards.
Most local customers post their reviews on the provider’s Google Maps or reviews page.
When looking for an LPG supplier, consider those with an active online presence and several customer reviews with high star ratings.
A large number of reviews indicates more engaged customers and can indicate a more reliable score.
You can find the number of reviews by looking at the number adjacent to each star rating (1 to 5 stars).
Convenience of LPG Gas Bottle Delivery Options
Some LPG suppliers only offer cylinder exchange services instead of LPG delivery.
Depending on your needs, you may want an LPG supplier that provides on-site delivery and refilling from LPG tankers, such as bulk LPG for businesses or large LPG cylinders for homes with high use.
Tanker refills have several advantages for users, especially if the supplier offers automatic LPG gas delivery.
Gas Bottle Sizes to Fit Your Needs
Many LPG suppliers can only offer 45kg LPG gas bottles because they don’t have the tankers required to fill larger 210kg gas bottles.
However, refill gas prices can be less than exchange prices for the same LPG gas bottle sizes.
If your demand for LPG gas is quite high, you may be forced to spend extra money on your installation, due to elaborate manifold systems for multiple 45kg bottles.
You should pick an LPG supplier who can supply the gas cylinder sizes you need.
Help for New Users of Home LPG
If you are a first-time user of home LPG you may need additional guidance to explain how everything works.
The supplier should provide detailed “How-to” instructions as you speak with them for the first time.
You also want answers to frequently asked questions tailored to new LPG users.
Check out this Illustrated Guide to Home LPG which includes a ‘How To’ explaining everything you need to know.
24/7 Live Contact with Your LPG Supplier
You should be able to contact your LPG supplier 24/7 for your LPG emergency needs.
Check that you will be able to speak to a person, not an answering machine, as LPG emergencies may come at very unexpected moments so you will need a supplier that answers when you call.
New to LPG? Choose ELGAS
ELGAS is one of Australasia and New Zealand’s largest LPG suppliers and services the LPG energy needs of more than 350,000 homes and businesses.
Whether you are looking for LPG for your home, LPG for your business, you know who to contact.
No Contracts Policy
Some LPG suppliers try to lock you into a 12 or 24-month contract for your home LPG.
You should look for a supplier with a No-Contracts Policy.
We make sure you stay because you want to, not because you have to.
Actively Seeking Customer Feedback
A good supplier should actively seek customer feedback to constantly improve its service.
Collecting feedback directly from customers is a best practice.
LPG User Support and Engagement
You need to be able to communicate with and get information from your LPG supplier, especially since you’ll need them routinely during LPG delivery or refilling.
They should supply LPG “How To” advice for all aspects of your LPG use, from gas bottle operating instructions to advice on gas appliances and technical issues.
An active and informative Facebook page is also valuable, as you can interact with other LPG users and the LPG supplier.
Look for a comprehensive website with answers to more than just simple questions.
Our Knowledge Hub provides various information for residential and commercial LPG users, so you stay well informed about your LPG needs.
Delivery Capacity for Reliable Supply
Basically, the more delivery vehicles and drivers the supplier’s fleet has, the more reliable the service.
More trucks mean they can cater to more consumers and bulk deliveries without delays.
The trucks also need to be large enough to make the required volume of deliveries, not just little utes.
This is especially true during the peak winter season.
It’s hard to be everywhere every day, but it’s even harder if you don’t have enough delivery trucks and capacity to accommodate the winter heating demand.
Ensure your supplier has a large delivery fleet of cylinder exchange trucks and LPG tankers.
Your Supplier Should Have a Residential Focus
Most first-time LPG customers are homeowners.
It’s important that your LPG supplier should focus on providing for your needs and assisting you throughout the process.
For example, industrial gas suppliers primarily deal with businesses and can only be contacted during business hours.
Look for an LPG supplier that specialises in the needs of homeowners, particularly those with emergency services.
Local Presence
For obvious reasons, dealing with a supplier with a local depot in your area is advantageous.
Look for a large LPG supplier with a local branch run by local people from your area.
Having an LPG supplier that is conveniently near you is a massive plus.
You want the advantages of a large supplier combined with friendly local service and knowledge.
Mobile App and Compatibility
Everyone and everything should be accessible on the go, including your LPG delivery service provider.
Look for a supplier that can provide gas supply right when you need it.
They should have a smartphone App available for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device that lets you manage your LPG delivery schedule from anywhere at any time.
The entire website should also be mobile-compatible to access the information you need easily.
Managing your LPG should be easy!
Help When Natural Disasters Happen
One advantage of a large national supplier is that they can assist in natural disasters like floods or bushfires.
A large company has the resources from other areas that they can mobilise and bring to the affected areas.
Look for LPG providers with a network of branches and truck fleets to work with them.
This is particularly important if the LPG depot is affected by a fire or flood disaster.
Upstream LPG Supply & Reliability – Surety of Supply
Your LPG supplier should have more than just local storage capacity.
They should have upstream supply, storage, and transport facilities to provide surety of supply.
This is important if there is a supply interruption.
45kg Gas Bottle Refill Price
Prices for 45kg gas bottles will vary depending on whether they’re refilled or in an automatic tanker.
Gas refill prices are often by the bottle, even if some is left in the bottom, while tanker refills are charged per litre actually used.
Pricing can vary based on location due to transportation costs and supply availability.
LPG home gas bottle prices are important, but the fact is that there usually isn’t much difference between suppliers when it comes to home gas bottle prices.
That’s because they must all stay competitive with each other.
You can always do price comparisons to confirm home gas bottle prices.
All LPG suppliers are subject to a world LPG benchmark price, known as the “Saudi CP”.
This benchmark varies every month and is the primary determining factor in how much the LPG suppliers pay for the LPG they supply to you.
Pricing can vary a bit based on several factors, including the cost of supply, haulage, and delivery to different areas.
Uncompromising Safety
Once again, larger suppliers have an advantage over smaller suppliers in terms of LPG safety.
Large LPG suppliers can justify hiring full-time safety staff, such as National Safety Managers, National Training Managers, and Technical Compliance Managers, to ensure safety is a priority.
In addition, your LPG supplier should have an Emergency Help Line manned 24/7/365.
Your safety should not be negotiable.
Online Capability for Your Convenience
As with all modern product and service suppliers, you should expect full online access and interaction with your LPG supplier.
You should be able to order online and receive a real-time confirmation number, not just an automated email.
Online credit card payments should be made through a secure server, and you should be able to access your account details whenever you need them.
Telephone keypad ordering and SMS (Text) LPG orders are also handy.