LPG heating for homes off the gas grid
Neil Green Services Ltd installs, services and repairs LPG boilers and heating. Plenty of properties in the countryside around Ripon have no mains gas, and LPG gives them the same kind of heating and hot water as a house in town. We work on LPG in houses, static caravans and park homes.
If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds
Do not wait for an appointment. Act straight away:
- Open doors and windows.
- Do not smoke, light a flame or use electrical switches.
- Turn the gas off at the tank or cylinder if it is safe to do so.
- Go outside and call the emergency number shown on your tank, cylinder or supplier’s bill.
For mains gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. If anyone feels unwell, get medical help.
How LPG differs from mains gas
LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas. For home heating it is usually propane. It is stored as a liquid under pressure, either in a bulk tank in the garden or in cylinders, and a supplier delivers it by road. Mains gas arrives through a pipe in the street.
The heating system itself is much the same. The radiators, cylinder and controls are no different. The differences are at the appliance:
- LPG reaches the boiler at a different pressure from mains gas
- The burner needs different parts and settings
- The boiler must be an LPG model, or be converted using the manufacturer’s own kit
An appliance set up for natural gas must never be run on LPG, or the other way round.
LPG is also heavier than air. If it escapes it sinks and collects at low level instead of drifting away. That affects where tanks, cylinders and appliances can be placed.
Who can work on LPG
Gas Safe registration is specific to the type of work. LPG is listed separately from natural gas on an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card, and so is work in park homes and caravans. Ask to see the card and check the back of it before anyone works on your system. Our own registration covers LPG work in homes, park homes and caravans.
Static caravans and park homes
Boilers and heating in static caravans and park homes need the same yearly attention as those in a house. Space is tighter and flue positions are more restricted, so the choice of boiler matters. We can advise on a replacement when an old boiler is past repair.
Installation and servicing
An LPG boiler should be serviced once a year, for the same safety and warranty reasons as any gas boiler. Our boiler servicing page explains what is checked.
If you are replacing a boiler, many current models are available for LPG. See boiler installation for how we go about it. Bulk tanks are usually owned and maintained by the LPG supplier. We look after the boiler and the heating.