HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

It's a quirky fact of life for people in Spain – those that reside here or visit – that one of the more peculiar aspects of living here is the reliance on Butane gas. In the UK, most people have access to the mains gas supply and few people live off the grid, however, in Spain, this is far from the case. The use of gas stoves, both for heating water and cooking, is an effective alternative to radiators, even in the colder months. Gas bottles are therefore ubiquitous in petrol stations and other suppliers throughout the country and are easy to get hold of.

What You Need to Know About Buying and Using Your Gas Canisters

There are a variety of rules and regulations relating to using gas canisters (Bombonas) that is worth bearing in mind when you consider buying or replenishing your supply. Here are some tips that should help you.

You Need a Contract for a Gas Bottle

As weird as it sounds you do actually need to obtain a contract to purchase a gas bottle. It's simple to do this. You need the following documents:

• A photocopy of DNI or NIE identity documents.
• If your property is new, a "cédula de habitabilidad" (habitation certificate).
• A gas installation certificate (if the apparatus in the house is immovable).
• A heating installation certificate where applicable.

You should take photocopies of these documents to your local supplier agency. They will then arrange a visit from a technician who will inspect your home for any permanent gas fittings (in theory at least). The contract usually costs around €20.

Repsol currently charges €18.15 for a contract and €3.64 as a deposit for the bombona bottle.

Cepsa contract charges vary across the country, but there is a maximum price of €30 for the contract and €3 as a deposit for the gas bottle.

However, you may find that when you drop off an empty bottle for an exchange, the vendor does not ask to see your contract, and it's true that many customers don't bother.

Authorised Suppliers of Gas Bottles

Repsol, Cepsa and Galp Energia are the main suppliers of butane gas bottles in Spain.

You can find all the information you need at the web addresses below including how to get a contract for each supplier.

Cepsa - https://bombonabutano.com/distribuidores/cepsa
Repsol - https://bombonabutano.com/distribuidores/repsol 
Galp Energia - https://bombonabutano.com/distribuidores/galp-energia

The Benefits of Having a Gas Contract

The main benefit of having a gas contract is that if the contract with the supplier is linked to a fixed address, then new canisters will normally be delivered to your home free of charge and fuss-free. This is particularly useful given that a full bottle of gas weighs in at around 20 kilos (12.5 kilos of gas plus the heavy bottle itself). This is most often the case in urbanised areas, but anyone living in remoter areas may struggle for delivery.

If you have an accident or need a repair to your gas equipment, as long as you have a contract with a supplier you should find that the agency with which the contract is drawn up will carry out periodic reviews of all installations at least every five years, and make certain that safety considerations are correctly observed.

It is possible to have liquid gas delivered to larger properties that have gas-fired heating systems, so it's worth asking around if you want to use this as an alternative to bottled gas. You may find that your area has mains gas before long anyway, as this is being rolled out in certain areas of Spain.

Staying Safe with Your Butane Gas Bottles

• Store your canisters with the safety valve upright. Never horizontally.
• Ensure any area of storage is ventilated at the bottom.
• Store your replacement bottles in a different room from the one in use and again make sure the room is well-ventilated.
• Keep canisters away from any source of heat.
• There should be an easily accessible shut-off valve for your canister, and both this and the rubber tubing should be protected from the elements.
• Never have more than two bottles connected inside your home. Remember people are killed every year in gas explosions in Spain.
• Do not store canisters in basements or underground as the gas used is heavier than air, and can, therefore, accumulate in areas that are underground.
• Install your canisters at least 1.50 metres from other solid and liquid fuels, 50 centimetres from mains electricity sockets and 30 centimetres from heating elements and electrical switches.
• Know your flame – if it's blue the gas is stable. If the flame is noisy it is unstable. If it has yellow dots get it checked by technicians from the gas supply company or agency.
• When not in use, set the valve to the "off" position.

What to Do If You Think You Have a Leak

• Shut off the valve straight away
• Open windows and ventilate your property
• Avoid using naked flames or producing a spark.
• Take the canister outside and contact the supply company.

Have Your Gas Installation Serviced

You should have all of your gas devices serviced by authorized technicians every four or five years. If you have a contract you will receive a reminder.

Transporting Gas Bottles in Private Vehicles

Under Spanish law, as a private individual, you can only transport two bottles at a time – this is a total of 30 kilos of liquid gas. Canisters must be transported in an upright position, belted into the passenger position within the vehicle, (copiloto), and not placed horizontally on the backseat or in the boot. The vehicle must also not be parked in an underground car park while carrying the gas bottles.

Gas Bottle Prices 2024

Like all things, the price of a 12.5 kg gas bottle has increased steadily in recent years.

The government sets a maximum price for gas bottles and distributors are not permitted by law to go above this price.

The maximum cost for this is determined by the price limit set by the Government of Spain in compliance with Royal Decree-Law 11/2022, issued on June 25, which has established a cap of €19.55. Subsequently, this regulation was extended until December 31, 2023, through the enactment of Royal Decree-Law 5/2023.

The price of the gas bottles is reviewed every two months by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism with the maximum and minimum price variation not permitted to go above or below 5% of the previous price.

At the time of writing the maximum price of a 12.5-kilo bottle is €14.43.

Repsol gas bottle prices are currently €14.43 (Inc IVA) for a 12.5kg bottle. Cepsa prices are not regulated by the government and are €14.43 (Inc IVA) for a 12.5kg bottle.

The price in 2024 is expected to increase steadily possibly reaching the maximum legal limit set by the government of €19.55

Private Health Insurance for Expats

If you want the security of knowing that you and your loved ones are covered against any unforeseen health issues in Spain, please consider one of our excellent value, low-cost Sanitas health insurance policies. All of our policies are in English and are underwritten by Bupa.

You can view our range of policies here - https://www.healthplanspain.com/sanitas/sanitas-health-plans.html