what fuel?

moggitymog

Hi all, hope you can help me, i live in a good size house which is all LPG heating, every one on our estate is with calor the LPG is pumped to individual houses from large tanks on the estate so we have no option to change suppliers unless the whole estate agrees.
Due to the very cold winter we used our heating much more than usual which resulted in a big bill and are hoping to avoid the same this year. We already only have the heating on when necessary (not on yet) for an hour in the morning and then 3-4 hours in the evening and use extra layers of clothing/blankets etc, so my question is would i be better investing in some kind of heater from argos or somewhere similar that would work out more economical to use, i would be really grateful for any opinions xx

Cardew

Much as LPG heating can be expensive, it is much cheaper than electrical heating; around half the cost to run.

That said there is a case to be said for using an electrical heater for a short while in, say, spring or autumn in a small room, rather than turn on CH.

moggitymog

I was thinking about for heating just one room in the evening rather than heating the whole house, i even considered buying one of those portable gas heaters but not sure if it would be cheaper to run than electric heater

bengalknights

Have you tried applying for grants and seeing if you can get access to air source heat pump etc to keep you warm

gas4you

Whats your insulation like? Is it up to latest standards?

Swipe

moggitymog wrote: »

I was thinking about for heating just one room in the evening rather than heating the whole house, i even considered buying one of those portable gas heaters but not sure if it would be cheaper to run than electric heater

I'd avoid running a portable gas heater. They smell and create awful condensation. I'd rather pay a few quid more using an electric heater rather than have a damp house.

LittleVermin

Swipe wrote: »

I'd avoid running a portable gas heater. They smell and create awful condensation. I'd rather pay a few quid more using an electric heater rather than have a damp house.

.... and every time you turn your heating on you'll be evaporating that condensation - as well as heating the air to make your house snug. As the house cools the water vapour will condense on the windows and/or walls (whatever is coldest).

Someone who's been to schoool more recently than me can do the calculations - and maybe even work out the costs.

When you burn fossil fuels the main products are carbon dioxide and water.

LittleVermin

moggitymog wrote: »

Hi all, hope you can help me, i live in a good size house which is all LPG heating, every one on our estate is with calor the LPG is pumped to individual houses from large tanks on the estate so we have no option to change suppliers unless the whole estate agrees.
<snip>

I'm sure Calor must be very happy! The Competition Commission's order (effective April 2009) made contracts last no more than 2 years - at least that's true for individuals with their own tanks. I would ask to see the paperwork Calor/the estate managers have about the supply. I wonder if you are out of contract? If so you and your neighbours might be able to switch. Calor might also be cautious about pricing if they see the possibility of a golden goose taking flight!

There are others on the LPG threads who are in the same boat as you - maybe someone has got somewhere with getting a better deal for their LPG.

Good luck. And I hope we have a mild winter.

Swipe

LittleVermin wrote: »

.... and every time you turn your heating on you'll be evaporating that condensation - as well as heating the air to make your house snug. As the house cools the water vapour will condense on the windows and/or walls (whatever is coldest).

Someone who's been to schoool more recently than me can do the calculations - and maybe even work out the costs.

When you burn fossil fuels the main products are carbon dioxide and water.

The point what I was trying to make about portable gas heaters is that they have no flue so they create more water vapour internally than an electric convection heater.

paceinternet

Cardew wrote: »

Much as LPG heating can be expensive, it is much cheaper than electrical heating; around half the cost to run.
That said there is a case to be said for using an electrical heater for a short while in, say, spring or autumn in a small room, rather than turn on CH.

As always it depends on the electricity tariff you are on, what you have to pay for lpg per litre, and what will happen to those prices next.

LPG seems to be minimum around 40p per litre, with some people paying towards 50p.
Electricity can be as low as 6.5 p per kwh with EDF in the East Midlands. Certainly more in some other areas, and on some other tariffs.

At 7.08 kw per litre and an 85% efficient boiler, lpg is going to cost you between 6.6 p and 8.3 p per kwh at 40p and 50p per litre respectively.

In your case, you have more control of electricty prices than lpg, so search out the best prices and do as Cardew suggests.

moggitymog

gas4you wrote: »

Whats your insulation like? Is it up to latest standards?

Insulation is good, house is only 3 years old