DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi,

I have been in my current house and am experiencing some rather frightening LPG gas bills, we live in the middle of nowhere, after having previously in a different house run on oil which seemed to be very ecnomical. My boiler has been playing up and I need to make the decision between repair and replace with a much more efficient gas condensing combi boiler or repairing it. But I also have the nagging thought that I should be considering converting the system to oil to save in the long term. I appreciate there are considerations to be taken into account in size of house and insulation etc and am also looking into quotes for cavity wall and better loft insulation at present.

Has anyone been in a similar circumstance as I could really do with some advice as gas prices just seem to be getting more and more expensive.

Many thanks in advance.

As LPG is a bi-product of oil it will always be more expensive fuel than oil, however gas is a much more controlable system providing your system has been installed correctly and can upgraded to accept the controls. High energy efficent gas boilers from the likes of Viessmann (97% efficent) or Vaillant which can be supplied with weather compensation give the maximum efficency. Other factors such as the gas boilers will be of a lower cost to buy and install than an oil boiler and gas will have lower maintenance costs than oil. The other possability of course is a biomass boiler, these are very economic, carbon neutral and are now a real viable alternative to oil or LPG.