A Guide to LPG Boilers

If you’re not currently connected to mains gas and are seeking a good central heating and hot water solution for your residential or commercial property, an LPG boiler could just be the answer you’ve been looking for.

As boiler and central heating experts, we’ve created this handy guide to LPG boilers so you’ll have all of the information you need before deciding if this is the best option for you. Read on to discover some of the many benefits an LPG boiler could have for your home or business.

What happens if you’re not connected to a natural gas source?

If you’re not already connected to a natural gas source and require central heating for either a home or commercial premise, you have two avenues open to you.

Firstly, you could look to get connected to the nearest gas network connection point.

A Gas Distribution Network (GDN or GT) company can provide a connection from the nearest supply to the gas meter of your property. This can often be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you do not already have a gas pipe or meter on the property or if you are located miles away from the nearest connection. Be aware that you may need to cover at least some of the cost of getting a supply installed.

A faster and often more cost-effective alternative is to consider having an LPG boiler and tank installed on your property. This gives you a source of central heating all year round without having to wait for a third party to connect you.

Tanks come in various sizes to suit all needs, with boilers being no bigger than their natural gas alternatives, so this could be a viable option that’s hassle-free and far more pocket friendly.

How do LPG boilers differ from natural gas boilers?

LPG boilers (or Liquefied Petroleum Gas boilers to give them their proper title) are specialist boilers used to heat water that do not rely on a natural gas source from mains.

With LPG fuel stored in a tank external to the property, these types of boilers are popular with those living and working in remote areas that do not have easy access to the mains gas network or would rather have a stand-alone fuel source that isn’t dependent upon the mains gas supply.

However, the boilers do work in a very similar way to standard boilers as it is just the fuel source and connections that differs in the majority of cases. You will still need the help of an LPG boiler specialist when it comes to installation, maintenance, repairs and servicing to ensure your boiler stays in tip-top condition.

What do you need to get an LPG boiler up and running?

If you’ve already been looking into the benefits of an LPG boiler and have come to the decision that it’s the best option for you, you’ll need to arrange the following things to get your new central heating system up and running correctly:  

A good quality LPG boiler

There are several brands of LPG boiler on the market, so be sure to reach out to us for help and advice on which model would you offer the best value for money.

An LPG tank

You’ll need a tank for storing the LPG fuel required to keep your boiler running, but these can often be rented or leased by your fuel supplier to spread the cost.

An installation expert

Installing an LPG boiler is different to the process for a natural gas boiler and may require a little extra in terms of pipework. It’s always best to engage a company such as ourselves with experience and expertise in LPG boilers.

An LPG Supplier

To keep that tank nicely topped up, you’ll need to track down a local LPG supplier that can refill your tank at regular intervals and ensure that you’ll never run short of the fuel you need to keep your boiler in operation.

Be sure to get in touch with a supplier sooner rather than later as you’ll need to discuss terms and conditions of service and tank rental.

Is LPG expensive?

This is a common question asked by those looking into LPG central heating systems. The good news is that LPG boilers themselves are actually cheaper than their natural gas counterparts.

Usually coming in at around £400 under the price of a standard natural gas boiler, the government is able to offer some very attractive incentives for those thinking of installing an LPG boiler as they are also very environmentally friendly. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to natural gas.

This is especially true when you consider the time and financial outlay that connecting to mains gas might be needed for your home or commercial property. With all that said, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that LPG boilers are a popular choice for money-savvy home and business owners looking for great value central heating solutions.

LPG boilers and the environment

As we previously mentioned, LPG boilers aren’t just a cost-effective alternative to natural gas boilers; they’re also much kinder to the environment too!

With more and more businesses and homeowners looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, the good news is that LPG boilers use fuel that, although more expensive than oil, it is more efficient and can therefore result in much lower bills (and less wastage) over the lifespan of the boiler.

LPG boilers are incredibly fuel-efficient, wasting a mere 10% of all fuel stored in the tank to provide piping hot water and central heating which is an excellent way of ensuring maximum fuel efficiency compared to natural gas boilers.

Better still, LPG boilers produce around 20% less carbon than natural gas boilers making them an affordable and practical way of minimising your impact on the environment.

The tanks that store the fuel for LPG boilers are also incredibly small and compact, so no matter how big your residential or commercial premises, there’s an LPG boiler solution that will meet your needs.

To find out more about LPG boilers, installation and servicing, get in touch with a member of our team today, and we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.