Whether you have had an oil boiler for years or have inherited one via a house purchase, there’s no better time to consider more flexible alternatives like LPG.
Why? Although oil is an energy-rich fuel, which means it creates a lot of heat when burned, it often creates smells, soot, and ash that can be unpleasant in your home.
What is LPG?
LPG is a blanket term that describes two types of gas (Propane and Butane) which is a natural by-product of gas extraction and oil refining. It is a colourless, low-carbon hydrocarbon gas that exists as a liquid. This means it produces less soot and ash, with a lower sulphur content and fewer smells. Plus, LPG is the lowest carbon fossil fuel currently available, so if you’re environmentally minded it can be a good option while you wait for renewable energy to become more affordable.
Heating to cooking to BBQs
LPG has thousands of uses, from heating to cooking, BBQs and patio heaters to even vehicle fuel. Hundreds of millions of people globally use LPG for their homes and businesses. Conversely, LPG can be found powering everything from farms to transport hubs, manufacturing to food production.
As a blended solution, LPG can work alongside renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines, having a great impact on your carbon footprint. Longer-term, there are renewable liquid gases in development, such as bio-propane and renewable DME, that LPG can help you transition towards as these fuels require minor tweaks to your existing infrastructure.
Versatile storage options
Another benefit of switching to LPG is the versatile storage methods you can choose from. Whereas oil needs to be kept in above-ground tanks, LPG can also be stored in cylinders, usually in a cabinet tucked away discretely, alternatively in underground tanks or above-ground tanks. Switching to LPG doesn't require a complete infrastructure overhaul. Auto-ordering can ensure you never run out of LPG either, taking another job off the household admin list.
In action: LPG in a North Devon smallholding
These benefits were experienced first-hand by Tim and Amanda Arnold who moved into a smallholding in North Devon. They had a three-bedroom bungalow, a two-bedroom holiday rental, and a six-bed static caravan on site. When they bought the site, the main bungalow had recently had a new oil boiler installed, however, bottled LPG was providing heating, hot water, and cooking gas for both the holiday rental and caravan. The couple wanted a gas cooker in their home, along with creating a more centralised and efficient energy solution to service all three properties. Having a bulk LPG supply, therefore, made perfect sense.
LPG now provides heating, hot water and cooking gas for the properties, giving a central supply and removing the hassle of keeping on top of different energy sources. It’s also helping to prepare for the future, with plans of expanding the smallholding to include animals and also giving them a transition towards renewables. As Amanda Arnold explains, “We know our system is green gas ready too, so it’s great to know that we’ll be able to improve our carbon footprint over time too without having to change any equipment.”
Are you ready to make the switch to LPG? Contact Flogas to understand your options.
