
5 boiler jobs to do in summer
27th May 2022
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Around two hundred thousand homes which aren't on the gas grid use LPG for heating.
LPG can fuel gas household appliances, including gas central heating and gas cookers. The main difference between mains gas and LPG is that LPG is delivered by road and stored in a tank (rather than piped to your home).
You might have solely LPG central heating or use it as a back-up source if you have renewable heating or generate electricity from solar panels.
See our boiler reviews to find a model that will be right for you.
LPG central heating is usually a ‘wet’ heating system, where an LPG-fired boiler heats water. This then provides central heating through radiators and hot water to your taps.
Some boilers designed for mains gas can be converted to use LPG.
You'll need to store LPG in a tank outside your home and arrange for it to be delivered by tanker.
The government plans to phase-out high-carbon fossil fuel heating, including LPG, in off-gas-grid homes during the 2020s.
So when you need to replace your LPG central heating, you'll need to consider alternatives. Lower carbon options include:
If a heat pump isn't practical in your home, then a high-temperature heat pump or biomass boiler are alternatives.
Heating your home with LPG can cost around £800 per year.* That's based on an average home, using around 12,000kWh for heating and hot water.
Your actual heating costs depend on various factors including:
Use our guide to cutting your energy costs to see what changes you can make to keep your home cosy and save money.
*(Calculated using the average price of LPG across the UK in September 2021 from Sutherland Tables, which collects domestic-fuel pricing data. The cost per kWh in pence (6.62) was multiplied by the 12,000kWh a medium gas-energy user consumes on average in a year, according to Ofgem.)
You can also compare electricity prices with our free, independent switching service, Which? Switch, to see how much you can save on your electricity bill.
The price of LPG fluctuates and is currently pricier than kerosene heating oil, though this varies. Renewable heating systems can cost more to install but have lower running costs.
The price of LPG has varied by 15p per litre over the past six years:
If you're worried you're paying too much for LPG, it's worth looking for a cheaper supplier. Trade association Liquid Gas UK has a tool to find LPG suppliers in your area.
You can switch supplier as long as:
Tell both your existing and new suppliers if you decide to switch. LPG suppliers don't have to take you on as a customer if they don't want to, unlike gas and electricity providers.
If you are part of a group of homes all supplied from one tank (a metered estate), all residents have to agree to switch supplier and all must be out of contract.
Besides switching, make sure your boiler is working efficiently and you have good home heating controls - take a look at our heating control and thermostat tips.
Insulating your home, or topping-up existing insulation, will also help keep your home cosy. Find out about different types of insulation.
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