Karl Bateman, National Specifier Manager at Calor, explains how LPG can still be an option for installers to support homeowners in reducing their household emissions.
By making the right choice about how to heat their homes, homeowners can save themselves a significant amount on bills, and at the heart of that decision is the boiler and what fuels it. Heating accounts for about 55% of what we spend a year on energy bills, so an efficient heating system can make a big difference to the size of those costs.
When it comes to emissions, according to Liquid Gas UK, LPG emits 35% less CO2 than coal, and 12% less than oil, so an LPG boiler makes a big difference to not only the amount we spend on our heating, but the environment too.
The majority of homes in the UK have mains gas central heating, but about 3.6 million people are not connected to the network. For off-grid homes such as these, LPG could be an ideal solution.
LPG is a versatile fuel that can be used for home heating and hot water, cooking, and to fuel household appliances. LPG boilers are usually cheaper and smaller than oil boilers, which can make installation quicker, easier, and more flexible.
There are a number of storage options available with LPG too. For properties with larger garden space, an above ground tank or underground tank would be an suitable option. Underground tanks are an equally popular choice, as the tank is hidden from sight.
LPG is the cleanest fossil fuel available to non-mains gas homes and emits around 20% less CO2 per kwh than oil, making LPG a good partner for renewable systems such as solar, ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps, or hybrid systems.
BioLPG is a renewable fuel that shares an identical chemical structure to LPG, but is created from a mix of renewable and sustainably sourced materials. BioLPG is a drop-in fuel, which means it’s compatible with current LPG heating systems and appliances, and the system requires no additional upgrades or adjustments.
For installers, BioLPG offers a low cost, low carbon solution that is easy to specify and fit. If your customer is currently using LPG, it’s totally hassle-free, and all that’s needed to switch is one phone call to change the tariff.
If a customer is on oil, replacing an existing oil-fired boiler for an LPG system is easier and faster than you may think. With very similar technology to mains gas combi boilers, installers will likely find LPG boilers very familiar to install.
What’s more, the installer doesn’t have to worry about air in the system or connecting the filter. This can make installation quicker and, where an oil boiler could take a day and a half to install, an LPG boiler would only take a day, in most cases. BioLPG also broadens your service offering, allowing you to offer a low carbon option – crucial in a time where more and more consumers are becoming energy and carbon conscious.
Whether a customer is looking for a cost-effective, cleaner fuel source or simply to futureproof their energy source, there are many advantages of switching to BioLPG, making it an easy proposition for installers.
If you'd like to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the heating and plumbing industry, why not subscribe to our weekly newsletters? Just click the button below and you can ensure all the latest industry news and new product information lands in your inbox every week.