If you've been pondering whether to replace that aging oil tank, here's a compelling argument: today might be the perfect moment to explore alternative heating options. With looming regulations prohibiting direct replacements of fossil-fuel boilers from 2035, switching now could get your home ready for the future. Especially if your oil tank is due a change anyway — typically at the end of 20 years, the usual lifespan of a heating oil tank.
If you do choose to replace your old oil tank with a newer model, you’re still stuck doing regular maintenance to it to ensure no costly oil spills occur and to keep it working as planned. Your tank can also succumb to corrosion and sludge, which will reduce its lifespan and could lead to a costly oil spill. All of this means, you might be considering alternative heating options for your home.
LPG is an attractive alternative
Enter LPG – a great transitional solution that not only offers lower carbon emissions but paves the way for future renewable energies like biopropane and renewable DME – non-fossil renewable liquid gases that will require little or no upgrades to LPG heating systems to be ‘dropped in’ either blended with or instead of LPG.
Why LPG? Well, for starters, it’s a breath of fresh air in terms of environmental impact. Emitting up to 20% fewer carbon emissions than oil and a staggering 33% less than coal. Bid farewell to the ash, odours, and harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides. And let’s not forget, LPG boilers are often smaller and quieter than their older oil counterparts, enhancing your home’s tranquillity.
Multiple uses
But the perks don't stop there. LPG can be used for heating and cooking, so you don’t have to find an alternative for your kitchen cooker. Plus, there are a range of LPG boiler styles on the market from different manufacturers that can give you more choice and save you money compared to oil boilers.
A range of storage options
LPG also offers great flexibility in storage, with underground tanks possible in some locations, giving you the freedom to buy LPG in bulk (helping cost efficiency). Or you can store LPG in cylinders, hidden away in cabinets next to your home and truly wave goodbye to your tank storage. There’s also above-ground storage available, with or without visual screening.
Moving to LPG is simple
Switching to LPG often requires very few infrastructure changes, your LPG storage solution can be installed by your chosen LPG supplier and your new LPG boiler will be installed by a Gas Safe Engineer. There are more of these professionals, conversely, than OFTEC registered technicians. So it’s easier in the future to find an engineer to visit for ongoing maintenance or troubleshooting.
If we’ve sparked your curiosity, you can discover more about LPG here or read some success stories of homeowners who have made the switch from oil to LPG.
