LPG central heating

Description
LPG fired boiler and radiator system, also providing hot water instantaneously or stored in hot water tank. Controls - programmer, room thermostat, TRVs (and tankstat if hot water stored). A minimum seasonal efficiency SEDBUK value of 86% is required by Building Regs. An 'A rated' boiler has a minimum SEDBUK of 90% (and would be condensing).

Unit cost of installation
Up to £4500 for installation of heating system with suitable boiler, radiators and controls. Rental of tanks £15 - £22 per quarter. Installation of tank onto prepared site and pipework to house ~£150 - £200 for an above ground installation, £450 - £500 for below ground installation. Civil works extra.

Bulk cost of installation
Data not available

Indicative energy cost and carbon emissions

The data in the table above have been calculated for conventional heating systems with a hot water tank (i.e. not combi systems). For combi systems the running costs and carbon emissions would be slightly lower than the figures quoted, and differences between the highest and lowest about the same.

Maintenance
Costs of maintenance vary from ~£30 per year (for a contract relating to a large number of dwellings) to around £150 for a single dwelling

Lifetime
Approximately 15 years for well maintained boiler

Technical suitability
Requires space to site tank with access for vehicle to deliver fresh supplies of fuel. There are some restrictions on the siting of the storage tank. For example, there is a minimum separation distance between the tank and the dwelling (dependant on the volume of the tank) and the driver of the delivery tanker must be able to see the tanker from the storage tank during the filling procedure. There are other restrictions on the siting and installation of tanks (such as proximity to overhead power cables) - the gas supplier will be able to advise.

Building regulations apply to the installation of the boiler, storage tank and associated fuel delivery pipe-work. If and the work is undertaken by a CORGI registered installer then a Building Control Service need not be involved.

Combi systems are not always suited to households with a high demand for hot water (e.g. families with young children), but can be very suitable for small households. Combi systems do not require stored hot water with a header tank and so can be a useful option in smaller dwellings such as flats.

Non-technical constraints
Gaining access to undertake regular maintenance of boiler often difficult.

Potential concerns with fuel poor
Purchase of large amounts of fuel in one go might cause problems. If the recipients of central heating are not familiar with it they may assume that it will be expensive to use and therefore not use it for fear of getting into debt. It is therefore essential that the system is properly commissioned and that the users are given good advice on how to operate it efficiently.

Ancillary benefits
Highly controllable, providing rapid response times, particularly for radiator-based systems. Safer than some other forms of heating such as open fires and some electric appliances due to absence of very hot surfaces.

Improved heating (coupled with insulation and ventilation measures) will reduce incidence of condensation and mould growth, thus decreasing maintenance costs for the building fabric and reducing damage (resulting from mould growth) to occupants possessions. There may also be benefits to occupants health.

Trigger points for work
Ideally installed following insulation upgrades. Major refurbishment.

Performance Limitations
None

Technical Guidance Available
» CE30 Domestic heating by gas: boiler systems (2008 edition)

» The Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) Tel 0870 401 2200; enquiries@corgi-gas.com; www.corgi-gas-safety.com