Swith to mains gas

ceri1969

I'm after a bit of advice please.

I've recently bought a new house which is fuelled by LPG gas. I've received a hand delivered letter today from someone in the same road, apparently they're making enquiries to see how many people are interested in changing to mains gas.

I've just spent £2,000 on a multi fuel burner so money's a bit tight, till I build up some more savings. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this. I'm interested in principle, it all depends on how much it costs.

Also, I'd like to know if my boiler would have to be changed. Would a boiler that runs on LPG work on mains gas? I'm sure a new boiler would mean a considerable outlay.

Sorry if this is a silly question, its all new to me.

HappyMJ

What boiler do you have? It is usually possible to convert it from LPG to mains gas.

ceri1969

I've just checked, its a Netaheat Profile.

I had is serviced just after moving in. The plumber said its old, but has a few years left in it.

SYNERGY

ceri1969 wrote: »

I'm after a bit of advice please.

I've recently bought a new house which is fuelled by LPG gas. I've received a hand delivered letter today from someone in the same road, apparently they're making enquiries to see how many people are interested in changing to mains gas.

I've just spent £2,000 on a multi fuel burner so money's a bit tight, till I build up some more savings. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this. I'm interested in principle, it all depends on how much it costs.

Also, I'd like to know if my boiler would have to be changed. Would a boiler that runs on LPG work on mains gas? I'm sure a new boiler would mean a considerable outlay.

Sorry if this is a silly question, its all new to me.

As HappyMJ said most, if not all domestic boilers can be converted to Natural Gas from LPG and vice versa.

In fact many boilers are initially built to be run on Natural Gas and are converted to run on LPG.

I presume your gas is supplied by such as Calor to an external above ground bulk tank, ie not by a 46kg cylinders.

If the latter not a great problem, if the former, tank, check to see what the terms of your contract are and if there are any penalties / costs for ending the contract and removing the tank.

HappyMJ

ceri1969 wrote: »

I've just checked, its a Netaheat Profile.

I had is serviced just after moving in. The plumber said its old, but has a few years left in it.

That can be converted to run on natural gas. Cost about £100 for the part required plus labour plus VAT. It is old but as you say it's got a few years so no point replacing something that works. I'd get the mains gas connection and continue to run on LPG till it's all gone then get an engineer in to switch you over. The savings could be quite good over time. You will have to do the costings to find out the payback time.

david29dpo

I would kill to get mains gas! If the price is good, get it to your house and leave it till you need it.

ceri1969

Good morning!

Synergy, happyMJ and david29dpo - thank you for taking the time to anwer. Its helpful to know that my boiler isn't necessarily a write off if I change fuel.

david29dpo - good idea, if I can get it to the house, I can then save and get it installed at a later date.

synergy - I use 55k cyliners supplied by Calor. My usage has gone down a lot since I had the stove put in. I haven't used it for heating at all and only use it now for hot water.

14Westfield

The Gas Distribution Networks may be able to subsidise your connection as they often judge LPG sites to be in Fuel Poverty.
Do you know how far away the nearest properties to have gas connections are? that is likely to be the most important aspect of the cost and feasibility of your connection.
Also if your postcode is classified as 'deprived' the local network will be more able to help: this link can do a check.
http://www.aelz.org/index.asp?key=24

bengasman

ceri1969 wrote: »

I've just checked, its a Netaheat Profile.

I had is serviced just after moving in. The plumber said its old, but has a few years left in it.

They stopped making those in 1987 iirc, I'd be hesitant to invest several hundred pounds in a boiler that old, especially as spare parts for these are starting to become problematic and expensive. On top of that, a lot of plumbers don't like working on them because they are not inherently safe and have asbestos in them.

C_Mababejive

Netaheat profile? phew,thats almost brand new compared to mine..!

Dont right it off just yet.

I bet it will still be there when many modern combis are dead.

Do you have any idea as to how far away the nearest gas connection is?

What area are you in?

ceri1969

Thanks for all the replies, its very helpful.

14westfield - I had a look at that post code search, it seems I'm not in a deprived area. I didn't think I was, but it was worth a try!

I've sent back the letter stating my interest in principle, so we'll see what happens.

My house was built in 1990 so the boiler would be 22 years old if its as old as the house. I assume, the older the boiler, the less energy efficient it gets.

I'm in a rural area in Snowdonia and the nearest gas connection is only at the bottom of the road less than 50m away.