Homes beyond the gas main, from farmhouses to cottages up the valleys, often heat with liquefied petroleum gas stored in a tank or bottles. An LPG boiler works much like a mains gas one, with a few important differences.
Gas Safe registered 25 years in the trade 12 years running the business
How LPG heating differs from mains gas
LPG is supplied by a delivery company rather than piped in. It sits in a bulk tank in the garden or in large bottles, and runs to the house at a regulated pressure. The boiler itself looks and behaves like a normal combi or system boiler, but it is built or converted to burn LPG, which is heavier than air and burns differently from natural gas.
Because the gas is heavier than air, the rules about where an LPG boiler can sit are stricter. It should not be installed below ground level, such as in a cellar, where leaked gas could collect.
Choosing the right LPG boiler
Many manufacturers make LPG versions of their combi and system boilers
Some boilers can be converted from natural gas with a manufacturer's kit
Size it to your home's heat loss and hot-water use, the same as with mains gas
Think about future plans if the gas main may reach your area
Who can work on LPG
Any engineer fitting or servicing an LPG boiler must be Gas Safe registered with the right LPG categories on their card. You can check an engineer's card or search the Gas Safe Register online. Ask us about availability for LPG work in your area when you get in touch, and we will tell you plainly what we can take on.
The tank and supply
The tank, regulator and supply pipe up to the house are normally the gas supplier's responsibility, and many suppliers own the tank. Before a boiler change, it is worth telling your supplier, as they may want to check the regulator or supply line.
Costs and quotes
An LPG installation is priced on the same things as any boiler: the boiler type, flue route, pipework and controls. Our new boiler cost guide explains those factors, and our main boiler installation page covers the survey. Ask for a quote through the new boiler quote page or call 07429 632804.
Planning ahead off the grid
Running out of LPG in winter is the one problem mains gas homes never face, so it pays to keep an eye on the tank gauge and order in good time. Some suppliers offer automatic top-ups using a remote gauge. When a new boiler goes in, it is also worth reviewing your controls; a programmable thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves can trim how much gas you burn. If your current LPG boiler is old and unreliable, our guide to how long a boiler lasts helps you weigh repair against replacement.
Common questions
LPG Boiler Installation FAQs
Clear answers before you arrange a visit.
Can my mains gas boiler run on LPG?+
Only if the manufacturer offers a conversion for that model and it is carried out by a suitably qualified Gas Safe engineer. Otherwise an LPG model is needed.
Is an LPG boiler as efficient as a mains gas one?+
Modern LPG condensing boilers work on the same principle as mains gas models. Running costs depend more on the price you pay for LPG.
Can an LPG boiler go in a cellar?+
No. LPG is heavier than air, so it should not be installed below ground level where escaping gas could pool.
Do I need to tell my LPG supplier about a new boiler?+
It is a good idea. Some suppliers like to check the regulator and supply when the appliance changes.
