Oil VS LPG Central Heating

[wormhole]

I'm building some houses in a village in the UK. There is no gas in this village. The architect has suggested using either an oil or LPG central heating system.

Anyone know which is fuel type is better / cheaper to run / install?

Thanks.

 

[gas4you]

These days both will cost about the same to run. gas boilers are smaller, quieter and cheaper. Oil boilers are naturally slightly more efficient.

Regulations about the siting of oil tanks are more stringent, especially if you are near ponds, rivers, streams or dykes etc.

LPG cylinders are smaller and easier to site, or if there is room can easily be buried underground.

LPG also has the advantage of lower annual servicing costs and would also enable properties to have gas hobs or fires fitted as well.

personally I prefer LPG, but others will have different opinions and arguments no doubt

 

[oilman]

personally I prefer LPG, ...........

Well you'd never have guessed.

 

[gas4you]

I would have thought you would have presented the oil side of the equation a bit better than that. I told op there would be other views

 

[Balenza]

I would have thought you would have presented the oil side of the equation a bit better than that. I told op there would be other views

I shall help oilman out here.
1 litre of oil is approximately 10 Kw of heat. 1 Litre of LPG is approximately 7 Kw.
LPG is a by-product of oil so usually goes up and down in price with oil.
LPG boilers are cheaper than oil, and the condensing versions use less gas however they require corgi technicians to service and install them who will have higher charging rates and will give more trouble in the long run with breakdowns.
Also, with oil you can shop around for supplies, which you cannot with LPG.
Don't forget you will need an LPG tank which requires specialist installation and is an eyesore in the middle of your garden.
Another plus is that your oil boiler will probably out last a gas boiler 4 or 5 times.
Their is a good comparison here with other fuels at the OFTEC website
http://www.oftec.co.uk/consumers/comparative_costs.htm

 

[gas4you]

Thanks Balenza, thats more of the response I expected as for the pros of oil

I disagree on a couple of points though,

There are several suppliers of LPG not just Calor, so you can shop around.

4 x 47kg bottles can be placed out of sight against a fire proof/non- combustable wall.

Do you not think a bl**dy great oil tank is not unsightly

LPG cylinders are usually rented from LPG supplier or come with 'use of gas'.

But the main point is that op now has more comparison from both sides

 

[kevplumb]

oil will beat lpg hands down imho

 

[gas4you]

This is exactly what op wanted isn't it?

Different points of view so he can make up his own mind. Exactly what this forum is about I think

 

[Balenza]

gas4you wrote

Do you not think a bl**dy great oil tank is not unsightly

They can blend in with the surroundings more easily especially the green ones . I ve seen slimline versions in gardens set against large conifer trees and you wouldnt notice they were there at all.
Mine is 2700 liters and takes pride of place in my spacious back garden set against a hedge. Also if I feel the need to shift it then no problems.
Let a diyer try doing that with your LPG tank.

 

[Gasman1015]

You can also get oil tanks that can be buried.

 

[chr15]

Lpg will generally be a cheaper install than oil but oil will cost a lot less per year in running costs, plus you'll get a more solid lump of a boiler for your dosh.

 

[oilman]

This is exactly what op wanted isn't it?

Different points of view so he can make up his own mind. Exactly what this forum is about I think

Or put another way, conflicting views which make it difficult to know which is best.

My view is don't have a wet heating system at all. I spend enough time fixing the problems with those.

We have a storage heat cooker which warms the kitchen, and a wood burner which heats the sitting room. That cost £60 to run this winter. It looks nice, is independent of power supplies, I get exercise dealing with the wood, I can cook toast on it, I can boil a kettle on it. It gets rid of confidential papers.

I usually look to see what most people are doing, then do something else.

 

[Softus]

What most people are doing is being helpful.

 

[oilman]

I see you're not then

 

[Paul Barker]

With u oilman at home, but in practical terms for op.

If you and your families are going to live there; oil. If they are all to be sold for profit, lpg neater cleaner, cheaper to install.

Also I don't get this thing that corgi people expensive, wet plumbers earn more.