Central heating - oil to LPG

Central heating - oil to LPG

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Discussion

TED Jordan

Original Poster:

13 posts

153 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Anyone have any recommendations of companies to come in and look at converting my central heating from oil to LPG?

I live in a rural area with no gas supply to even the nearest village and I hate the look of the oil tank in the garden along with the space it takes. I've had quotes for an underground oil tank but I don't much like the prices I've had and I need a new boiler anyway...

recommendations would be appreciated.

steve2

1,771 posts

217 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Can’t help you with bc suppliers but I think oil is a lot cheaper than LPG

Jobbo

12,958 posts

263 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Our village is about half oil, half LPG. The LPG tanks are, without exception, more visible than any of the oil tanks. Does an LPG tank need to be closer to the road to allow for deliveries? There certainly seems more scope to hide an oil tank further up the garden.

Fonzey

2,056 posts

126 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I asked for some pros/cons of doing this on PH a while ago as I needed a new boiler and my tank is of unknown health (in a bricked off hut) so I considered a switch. Calor seem like they'll come in and do a lot of the work for you, for not a lot of money - but then of course you're their bh for a while as a sole LPG supplier.

The overwhelming advice on PH was to remain on oil, even if it meant replacing the boiler/tank/etc. I've since changed the boiler, and remained on oil. Local plumbers tended to have the same opinion as PH too based on running costs, and LPG tanks are hardly inconspicuous either.

I am considering going for a smaller (650l capacity) tank if/when ours needs swapping just to give a couple more options for storage. I also considered getting an LPG setup specifically for an oven for if/when we do the kitchen knock-through we're considering as we'd quite like a gas oven, and storing a couple of bottles for it would be easy.

blueg33

35,573 posts

223 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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When we looked at it lpg was way more expensive than oil, with more onerous long term maintenance requirements.

We relocated the oil tank, and hid it behind trellis with fast growing climbers. You wouldn’t know we have an oil tank.

Bill

52,472 posts

254 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Fonzey said:
I also considered getting an LPG setup specifically for an oven for if/when we do the kitchen knock-through we're considering as we'd quite like a gas oven, and storing a couple of bottles for it would be easy.
Can I ask why? (Do you mean a gas hob??)

rlg43p

1,193 posts

248 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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We have LPG to heat a 5 bed house built in 1996, which is insulated reasonably well.

We spend over £2,200 per year on LPG gas and we don't heat the house excessively as we both work.

Gas suppliers will charge you randomly high prices - there's no regulation like for normal gas/electric. Youcan't switch willy nilly between suppliers since they are responsible for tank maintenance and you need to sign up for long term contracts.....

Think very seriously before switching to LPG - it would be much cheaper to build some sort of camouflaged enclosure for your oil tank!


V40TC

1,994 posts

183 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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LPG was the worst and most expensive heating we have ever had
I would never have it again
cost were random from the supplier.
We again have oil now as no Gas supplies in Village.

Fonzey

2,056 posts

126 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Bill said:
Can I ask why? (Do you mean a gas hob??)
Aye for the hob

Bill

52,472 posts

254 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
quotequote all
Fonzey said:
Aye for the hob
That makes more sense! biggrin Have you considered induction? There's no way I'd go back to gas now.

TED Jordan

Original Poster:

13 posts

153 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I seem to have missed a crucial point being that underground LPG tanks seem alot cheaper for install.

Its the space the oil tank takes up and the fact I literally have no-where else for it.

Im currently spending around £2100 on a 2 bed house a year and Im ok with that to be honest but I've a worchester boiler thats literally rotten and alone thats £3000 for a replacement...

Is LPG really that expensive? how did people find the size of the boiler in comparison and how it keeps up with central heating/shower demands?

miroku1

326 posts

106 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I’m in cumbria and am lpg gas safe , if you set on lpg ?
Whereabouts roughly ?

Black_S3

2,667 posts

187 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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LPG isn’t that bad but with a heating an oil bill of £2100 a year on a 2 bed place I think it’s unlikely that the fuel cost differential is the primary problem...

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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I was on LPG in my last house - 3500 sq foot of converted barn with latest insulation but not too wonderfully sealed patio doors.

I was print around £140 a month and that was for all hearing and hot water. I did have wet underfloor heating though which I’m sure helped keep costs down as I worked from home so the house was heated all the time.

Contracts are 2 year terms so you basically ring around before the end, get the best price and either switch or get your current supplier to match. It’s a pain in the arse but you only do it every 24 months.

Tank is underground so no eyesore if you have nowhere to hide it, and the supplying lorry has a longish hose so it does not have to be right next to the road.

I’d hate to think of the costs had the heating system and boiler not been so efficient.

miniman

24,824 posts

261 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Black_S3 said:
LPG isn’t that bad but with a heating an oil bill of £2100 a year on a 2 bed place I think it’s unlikely that the fuel cost differential is the primary problem...
I am paying around £800 a year on a 5 bed detached. I do like the idea of a smaller tank mentioned above as we would really like to regain some of the space that our 1000l tank takes up.

Fonzey

2,056 posts

126 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Bill said:
That makes more sense! biggrin Have you considered induction? There's no way I'd go back to gas now.
Yes very much so, but feel it's something we need to rent/try longer-term before deciding.

ARHarh

3,697 posts

106 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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If you just accept the renewal price from Calor for LPG it will be far more expensive than oil. If you phone around as suggested the cost per KW will be about the same. As stated LPG contracts are a pain and the charge can vary a lot. My last renewal ranged from 60p/ltr to 38p/ltr.

TED Jordan

Original Poster:

13 posts

153 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
quotequote all
miroku1 said:
I’m in cumbria and am lpg gas safe , if you set on lpg ?
Whereabouts roughly ?
Just outside of Carlisle, feel free to drop me a PM about it I am after quotes.


E36GUY

5,906 posts

217 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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TED Jordan said:
I seem to have missed a crucial point being that underground LPG tanks seem alot cheaper for install.

Its the space the oil tank takes up and the fact I literally have no-where else for it.

Im currently spending around £2100 on a 2 bed house a year and Im ok with that to be honest but I've a worchester boiler thats literally rotten and alone thats £3000 for a replacement...

Is LPG really that expensive? how did people find the size of the boiler in comparison and how it keeps up with central heating/shower demands?
You need to insulate your house dude! I'm paying less than that for a 5 bed!

The reason underground oil tanks are way more expensive to put in than the LPG versions is that you need much more construction around an oil tank to protect from potential leaks into the soil/groundwater. LPG has no such issue and you can simply dig a hole and bury the tank.

dingg

3,974 posts

218 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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I'm moving from lpg to biomass Wood pellets, out here in Portugal works out a LOT cheaper.
Found a pellet fire that kicks out 5kw to the room air and 19kw into the rads for about £2100 diy tie in to system looks to be simple enough. But it doesn't heat the hw but other fires do, maybe something to consider?