LPG Boiler Services Discussed by Total Boiler Services
LPG is short for Liquified Petroleum Gas which is a natural hydrocarbon fuel composed of propane and butane gases produced by the refinement of crude oil. An LPG Boiler burns the LPG fuel to produce the energy needed to heat water from the mains water supply and the hot water is then used to heat radiators and supply hot water to the property. Total Boiler Services are Gas Safe registered for the safe installation, repair and maintenance of LPG Boilers across South Wales and the South West.
LPG is delivered in a tanker by road and stored in a gas tank on-site either above or below ground, compared to natural gas which is delivered via the mains grid. LPG is considered a highly efficient fuel when it is used with a high-efficiency condensing boiler.
The cost of LPG fluctuates and suppliers adjust their prices as per the market value. If you are signing up to a contract for the delivery of your LPG then always do comparisons of T&C’s and pricing before making a commitment.
There are boilers which are designed and manufactured to work using LPG and you should always use a GAS Safe registered business who are qualified to install and work on LPG Boilers for any installations, repairs and servicing.
There are some boilers which have been manufactured to work using mains gas which can be converted to use LPG, however, it is unusual for a business who is connected to mains gas to change their boiler to an LPG boiler system.
How do LPG Boilers work?
LPG boilers work much like a gas central heating system with radiators, a timer and room thermostats providing heat and hot water. An LPG boiler burns the LPG fuel to produce the energy needed to heat water from the mains water supply and the hot water is then used to heat radiators and supply hot water to the property. This is called a wet’ heating system.
LPG boilers have the lowest carbon emissions of all the fossil fuels available to businesses and homeowners who don’t have mains gas connection and this will lower the properties carbon footprint and reduce heating and hot water costs compared to other oils if the property is well insulated.
What do you need for an LPG Boiler system?
- LPG heating system/boiler
- LPG Storage Tank (above or underground)
- LPG Supplier
What types of LPG Boilers are there?
There are 3 types of LPG boiler much like a Gas Boiler and they all work slightly differently to provide heat and hot water:
- LPG Combination Boiler
- LPG System Boiler
- LPG Regular Boiler
LPG Combination Boiler
An LPG combination boiler heats water as and when you need it so you do not need to have a hot water tank or cylinder on-site which saves you valuable space. The main disadvantage of an LPG combination boiler is if you run the hot water for 15-20 minutes then the temperature of the hot water will start to decrease. LPG combination boilers are less suitable for larger properties with a need for constant hot water.
LPG System Boiler
An LPG system requires a hot water cylinder on site so it is more suited to bigger properties and properties that need constant hot water and not hot water on demand. An LPG system boiler preheats the hot water which is stored in a hot water cylinder. If you have an LPG boiler and cylinder on site but not a water storage tank then you will need an LPG system boiler. An LPG system boiler burns the LPG fuel to produce the energy needed to heat the water from the mains water supply which is stored in your cylinder and used to heat radiators and supply the hot water.
LPG Regular Boiler
An LPG regular boiler needs a cylinder and a water storage tank so again these are more suited to larger properties where there is the available space to site them. If you have a boiler, cylinder and a hot water storage tank you will need an LPG regular boiler.
How is an LPG Boiler different from other boilers?
An LPG boiler is normally used in a wet heating system whereby the boiler burns the LPG to generate heat, this then heats the water which is pumped through the radiators to provide warmth and through the water system to provide hot water. This is no different to a mains supplied gas boiler, the only difference is that LPG is used from a tank onsite rather than mains gas.
Why would you have an LPG Boiler in your commercial business or property?
You would have an LPG boiler in your business or commercial property if there is no connection to the mains gas. You would have an LPG cylinder on-site to store your gas which the boiler uses to create heat and hot water.
Are they better than an oil boiler?
If your business or commercial property is not connected to mains gas then an LPG boiler system is normally the best and cheapest way to heat your property and supply it with hot water. LPG will be more costly to run than a mains supplied gas boiler but cheaper than oil boilers or electrical powered heating systems.
There are around 4 million properties across the UK that aren’t connected to the mains gas network who rely on LPG or other alternative heating systems to provide heat and hot water.
Whilst oil boilers undoubtedly have their advantages LPG boilers are both cheaper to buy as well as producing lower carbon emissions compared to oil boilers so they are often the preferred choice for homeowners or businesses who don’t have a connection to the mains gas.
LPG or Liquefied petroleum gas boilers and how their efficiencies have advanced have increased their popularity in the last 10 years.
The transporting, delivery and storage of LPG have also improved and as a result, means you can adapt how they use it to make it more efficient to you and your property.
What properties are LPG Boilers suitable for?
LPG boiler systems are suitable for small, medium or large properties, both domestic and commercial and there are many different types and models which a qualified boiler expert like Total Boiler Services will advise you on when you are considering installing an LPG boiler.
Do you need planning permission for a storage tank?
You won’t usually need planning permission for an LPG storage tank as long as it is no bigger than 3,500 litres, no higher than 3 metres, or 2.5 metres and if it is within 2 metres of a boundary. A good and professional boiler business like Total Boiler Services have the expertise to advise you on all of this and will design your LPG boiler system around your property and your business needs.
Are the storage tanks dangerous?
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) are safe if they are installed by a qualified professional, serviced, maintained and repaired by a qualified professional and are used correctly. If they are stored or used incorrectly then like with any gas or oil, LPG can be extremely dangerous.
Who can install, service and repair?
You always need a Gas Safe registered engineer and business that has also completed their LPG qualification to ensure your boiler system is always working safely and efficiently.
Should you have an above or below ground storage tank at your property?
If you decide you want an above the ground LPG tank then it will need a secure concrete base for it to be housed on and a trench leading from the tank to the property for the necessary pipework. There are regulations about where you can install a tank, therefore, you should always use a qualified and LPG gas safe registered engineer who will have the knowledge and expertise on the regulations. You should always consider LPG delivery vehicle access and ensure the tanker is able to park within 25m of the valve to your storage tank.
There should also be enough space around the tank to provide adequate airflow and this ensures if there is a leak then the LPG cannot build up which can cause an explosion. When the tank is in place the area needs to be kept completely clear to ensure it is always safe. Larger tanks will need more room around it and Total Boiler LPG experts will advise you of this and ensure their plan reflects the regulations.
Storage tanks can be unsightly but you can screen them off from view, however, the screen has to be a minimum of 1 metre away from the tank and on one side only and need to be constructed of non-flammable material.
If you have enough space and can install your tank underground then the lid of the tank needs to be at ground level to ensure there is suitable access to refill it. If the area you are in is prone to floods, the soil is high in clay or water-rich, there are water or electricity cables passing through the area then an underground tank will not be suitable for the site.
What are the advantages of an LPG Boiler?
- Newer LPG boilers are highly efficient and most will have an A-rating for energy efficiency and this means you can achieve efficiencies of 90% or above, saving you money on your fuel costs
- LPG is a cleaner fuel compared to oil and although it is a fossil fuel it can still reduce your businesses or properties carbon footprint. LPG contains 33% less carbon monoxide than coal and 15% less than oil thus making it a cleaner-burning fuel
- LPG boilers produce less carbon compared to oil boilers and can be combined with renewable energy sources like solar panels
- LPG is a secure energy source and is more eco-friendly than all other fossil fuels
- LPG will not contaminate water or alter the environment as gas and oil would
- LPG boilers are significantly cheaper to buy compared to oil boilers
- The cost of LPG has decreased over the last few years
- LPG is a highly efficient fuel, enabling your boiler to function efficiently. Modern LPG boilers can now achieve 90% efficiency
- Most LPG boilers are now smaller compared to oil boilers to take up less valuable space within your property
- LPG tanks can be stored underground making them less visible
- LPG is 250 times denser compared to gas which enables you to store larger quantities of fuel in a smaller tank
- LPG is odourless compared to oil
- Modern A-rated LPG boilers will have a low noise output
- There are many choices of LPG boilers and the trusted manufacturers such as Baxi, Potterton, Vaillant and Worcester Bosch all manufacture and supply LPG systems of all types and sizes
What are the disadvantages of an LPG Boiler?
- LPG costs have decreased in recent years however the cost of it is more than mains gas
- LPG is a cleaner fuel than oil, however, it is still a fossil fuel which means it does release harmful gases and carbon monoxide much like mains gas and oil
- LPG is delivered by road, therefore, you have to plan your top-ups to ensure you are never out of fuel and always consider the weather in case delivery trucks are not able to
- get to you which can be the case if you are more remote and not connected to mains gas
- You can purchase or rent your LPG storage tank, however, this is an additional cost compared to mains supplied gas boilers but no different to oil-powered boilers. Some suppliers will install an above-ground tank for free if you rent with them but you should incorporate the rental costs in the overall running costs of your boiler
- If you decide to switch LPG supplier and you rent your storage tank you will have to choose to either transfer ownership of your tank from your existing supplier to your new supplier or ask for a new tank to be installed
- An LPG storage tank stored above ground can be unsightly
- You always need to keep an eye on your LPG fuel levels and never assume you have estimated the right top up time accurately to ensure your fuel always arrives before you run out
About Total Boiler Services in South Wales
If your property is not connected to mains gas and you are considering an Oil or LPG Boiler then we can help. At Total Boiler services, we offer a full consultancy service to advise you on the industries most up to date and state-of-the-art energy-efficient and cost-saving products. Our team will plan and design it in accordance to your businesses or properties requirements and needs and we will project manage it from start to finish, including the decommissioning of any older systems, installation, testing and compliance sign off, along with planned aftercare.
We are LPG Gas Safe Registered and our engineers are all experts in the design, installation and maintenance of all types of boiler systems.
For your peace of mind, we also offer LPG boiler service and regular maintenance contracts or annual service and checks. All carried out by time-served GasSafe Engineers with years of experience
If you are looking to replace or install a new LPG Boiler System or start an LPG boiler servicing contract in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and surrounding areas or anywhere throughout South Wales please contact us today on 02922 407934 and one of our team can answer any questions you may have and book in a free no-obligation installation, repair, service or maintenance visit a time to suit you.
