Switch Oil to LPG?

ChrisSanders578

Hi All

I appreciate there are lots of threads talking about this but most seem quite old now, but apologies if I have missed a more current one.

I recently moved into a house and have oil for the first time.  It does seem to be expensive and the price fluctuates enormously, especially in the winter.  I am therefore exploring whether to move over to LPG.  Given the fluctuating oil price, I am struggling to find information on which will cost me more.  The current boiler is fairly old and likely to need replacing in the short term, and with the increasing move towards greener sources of energy, do we think oil prices are high for the long run and greener bio-LPGs are perhaps the way forwards?  I also like the idea of using LPG to cook with on the hob.

I do realise however with LPG you are tied to Flogas or Calorgas.

Is there an easy answer here...?

Gerry1

Silly question - is there mains gas in the area or is it a spot with no gas for miles around?

ChrisSanders578

Gerry1 said:

Silly question - is there mains gas in the area or is it a spot with no gas for miles around?

Sadly not, totally off grid

Mister_G

Firstly, you are not tied to Calor or Flogas.  There are other suppliers especially the smaller independents who usually offer more competitive prices. 

Try here:  Switch to Cheaper LPG | LPG Solutions (lpg-solutions.co.uk)

and here: Home and Domestic LPG Supplier Switch Quote | LPG-Save.co.uk

I'm with our local independent (HBS) in Hampshire and currently pay 38ppl.  This works out at 6.3p/kWh.  This price is probably cheaper than oil at the moment and has the advantage that people don't tend to nick it!

LPG also has a lower CO2 emission.

I've had LPG for over 38 years and would certainly choose it over oil every time.

ChrisSanders578

Roughly what do you spend a month on LPG?

Mister_G

ChrisSanders578 said:

Roughly what do you spend a month on LPG?

I usually get through 2500 to 3000 litres a year, depending on how cold the winter is.  At 33ppl, that's £870 - £1040 a year inc VAT @5%.

We're a 4 bed 1910 semi in the countryside.

lohr500

I am a fan of oil over LPG. Current oil price in my region is £0.54 per litre plus 5% vat. I think at that price, it will work out slightly cheaper than LPG. There are at least 10 oil suppliers in my area so very easy to shop around and get the best price for each delivery. We had our antique oil boiler replaced with a new Grant Vortex blue external unit which is far more efficient and has freed up space in our kitchen. It came with a 10 year parts and labour warranty for peace of mind.

ChrisSanders578

lohr500 said:

I am a fan of oil over LPG. Current oil price in my region is £0.54 per litre plus 5% vat. I think at that price, it will work out slightly cheaper than LPG. There are at least 10 oil suppliers in my area so very easy to shop around and get the best price for each delivery. We had our antique oil boiler replaced with a new Grant Vortex blue external unit which is far more efficient and has freed up space in our kitchen. It came with a 10 year parts and labour warranty for peace of mind.

That's interesting, thank you.  

Reed_Richards

Both oil and lpg require a storage tank.  You very possibly have to pay to get a new tank and pay to get an old one removed.  These costs are not trivial and should be taken into account when you consider switching fuels

I switched from an oil boiler to an Air Source Heat Pump.  For the first year the running cost had been comparable but the price of heating oil does not seem to have been much affected by the recent rise in the price of mains gas and electricity so as things stand I expect an oil boiler is cheaper to run than an ASHP.     

ChrisSanders578

Reed_Richards said:

Both oil and lpg require a storage tank.  You very possibly have to pay to get a new tank and pay to get an old one removed.  These costs are not trivial and should be taken into account when you consider switch fuels

I switched from an oil boiler to an Air Source Heat Pump.  For the first year the running cost had been comparable but the price of heating oil does not seem to have been much affected by the recent rise in the price of mains gas and electricity so as things stand I expect an oil boiler is cheaper to run than an ASHP.     

Getting the feeling there is no “right” answer. Lots of options but perhaps no standout. Would be great to go down the air or ground source heat pumps but very expensive installation and house prob not well enough insulated to really benefit.

kremmen

If you are going LPG..it's very  expensive in 47 kg bottles.. no access buy road here so no chance of getting a large tank.