Calor warns customers of 12% increase in price of bottled gas

THOUSANDS of people who rely on bottled gas to cook and heat their homes have been hit with a 12% price hike.

A 34kg cylinder – which can last most homes for around three months – had cost around €95 but the increase now brings the price to more than €106.

Energy firm Calor blamed the rise on fluctuations in the world market. The price of bottled liquid-petroleum gas (LPG) went up just 2% in the 12 months to October compared with 24% for natural gas, according to official figures.

In a letter, Calor’s chief commercial officer Oliver Kenny told customers: ‘The cost of LPG in world markets has been increasing in recent months.

‘We have held current prices during that period but unfortunately we are now in the position that we have to pass on these increases. Consequently, your price will increase by 12%.’

Worryingly, the hikes could continue through the winter months when energy use is highest, warned Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie.

‘The crisis in the energy industry for much of the past year shows no sign of abating in the short term,’ he said.

‘And even though energy prices have come off their recent extreme highs, it’s nowhere near enough for us to start seeing this feed through into lower energy bills for households. The 12% increase from Calor Gas seems like a lot. But it actually pales in significance to some of the recent increases we’ve seen for customers who use natural gas and electricity for their heating and cooking.

‘We’ve seen cumulative increases of up to 60% or 70% by some natural gas and electricity suppliers in 2021.’

Mr Cassidy advised customers to look for ways to cut costs by reducing their energy use.

‘For affected customers, my advice is to look at ways to use less energy around the home.

‘Tackling draughts, changing to LED bulbs, unplugging appliances are all ways to use less energy,’ he said.