Do you have LPG central heating?

[chicken_lady]

Hello. I've been scouring all the posts here that mention LPG tanks, but what I really want to know is � if you have an LPG tank and combi boiler yourself � would you recommend it to anyone else?
I know they're cheaper to install than oil central heating systems, but also that they're not as efficient.
So, oil or LPG? (Thank you for any advice).

[buildersmate]

Although prices of fuel go up and down, LPG has yet to come down any sort of price to make it comparable with oil. That may change of course, but I doubt it.
I wonder on what basis you believe LPG is cheaper to install? - the only difference is the tank - purchased for oil at about �500 plus installation, included 'free' by the LPG supplier. Ah - maybe that just explains the price differential - its the hidden cost of the tank.

[raysparx1]

I would never put LPG in, I would go for Oil,

[ainitatyb]

I have to answer the opposite to the previous person. I would go for LPG. We lived in a village with no mains gas, and had the choice of bulk oil or bulk gas. The tank was provided free at the time we installed it, though we had also been given quotes for tanks. The whole system has been problem free and with reasonable running costs. The tank is topped up automatically when the tanker passes. We have been very pleased with the system. Hope this helps.

[buildersmate]

.....reasonable running costs.
How do you know? Compared to what? The basic laws of physics indicate that the amount paid for the calorific value (heat-producing) of LPG says its more expensive currently to oli, and historically always has been. Efficiency of both types of fuel in the boiler would be expected to be similar.

[chicken_lady]

thank you everybody for your answers.

yes, it's basically the cost of the tank and installation that makes getting oil so much more expensive. it's free from our LPG supplier (Flogas) - you only pay about �50 per year tank rental.

I was told that presently, the price of LPG is cheaper than oil (around 26.5p per litre from Flogas). But obviously you do need to use more of it to produce the same out of heat. it seems like a lot of swings and roundabouts to me.

[buildersmate]

The energy (heat) output of oil (Kerosene) is about 11.5kWh per litre. The current price is about 29p per litre (been coming down in the last 6 months).
The equivalent output from LPG is about 7kWh per litre.
Using your figures with my data, the cost per kWh works out at 3.8p for LPG, 2.5p for oil.
Oil and LPG boilers are roughly similar in efficiency (heat loss up the flue etc.)
Hope that's gives you a good comparison at today's prices - which can change of course.