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Worth switching from kerosene to gas?

  • 18-03-2015 9:34pm
    #1
    Gmaximum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 385 ✭✭


    So I'm about to replace a 20 year old kerosene boiler at home. Calor Gas are offering to replace our oil system with a gas tank one and boiler free of charge.

    Only disadvantage I see is I'm stuck to them as a supplier. Would I be better off in the long run with a modern kerosene boiler?


Comments

  • #2
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,471 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    Kerosene is cheaper than LPG. And unless you believe in free lunches, your gas prices are probably going to be loaded to recoup the costs.


  • #3
    Kalman
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 233 ✭✭Kalman


    Gmaximum wrote: »
    So I'm about to replace a 20 year old kerosene boiler at home. Calor Gas are offering to replace our oil system with a gas tank one and boiler free of charge.

    Only disadvantage I see is I'm stuck to them as a supplier. Would I be better off in the long run with a modern kerosene boiler?

    Stick with the oil !!


  • #4
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,907 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Gmaximum wrote: »
    So I'm about to replace a 20 year old kerosene boiler at home. Calor Gas are offering to replace our oil system with a gas tank one and boiler free of charge.

    Only disadvantage I see is I'm stuck to them as a supplier. Would I be better off in the long run with a modern kerosene boiler?
    See what boiler you can get off them first.
    Also, Calor prices can be negotiated. Try get a long term fixed price off them before you agree to anything


  • #5
    donedl1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 48 ✭donedl1


    Gmaximum wrote: »
    So I'm about to replace a 20 year old kerosene boiler at home. Calor Gas are offering to replace our oil system with a gas tank one and boiler free of charge.

    Only disadvantage I see is I'm stuck to them as a supplier. Would I be better off in the long run with a modern kerosene boiler?

    The main advantage to gas is that the boiler will modulate, unless the system and fabric of the building is designed for minimum heat loss then I would go with oil. But the best fuel saving is always achieved with good quality heating control.


  • #6
    Cerco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,075 ✭✭✭Cerco


    Search this forum for "Calor".
    IMHO , When you are signed up you will have little control over costs.
    I would stick with Keroene unless or until you can get natural gas.
    At least you will have option of shopping around.


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  • #7
    Gmaximum
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 385 ✭✭Gmaximum


    Thanks for the replies folks


  • #8
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,749 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Have Calor over two different houses, since 1997. It works for me.

    I chose LPG for it's suitability for UFH and the option of a modulating boiler - Kero/Oil isn't as suitable, and tbh, gas is much cleaner.

    I also use it for my fireplace.

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #9
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,471 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    Gas isn't much cleaner and with proper plumbing is every bit as suitable for ufh as gas. Beware of going down the LPG route. You will find a lot more unhappy customers than happy ones. Ask any friends who have it for a few years. If you don't know anyone who has it, ask yourself why.


  • #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Wearb wrote: »
    Gas isn't much cleaner and with proper plumbing is every bit as suitable for ufh as gas. Beware of going down the LPG route. You will find a lot more unhappy customers than happy ones. Ask any friends who have it for a few years. If you don't know anyone who has it, ask yourself why.

    You'll find the unhappiness of gas customers LPG or NAT gas would be more linked to a lack of correct heating controls and bad plumbing than the fuel source.

    If you take it that both are fitted correctly then I would expect the running costs to be similar, oil is cheaper but a gas boiler is far more intelligent in how it uses its fuel helped by a modulating flame, outdoor sensor etc.

    Gas boilers are easier to place in a home as they take up less space, they can adapt to bad plumbing issues better than oil, you can't steal gas(I lost a full tank of oil one Christmas), when you have a yearly service gas engineers smell much much better than their oily counterparts who have a bit of a whiff to them.

    I like oil boilers as they are built like a brick outhouse, they have less issues with sludge, they aren't as complicated to work on as gas boilers which is important if it ever breaks down(God forbid)


    OP if it were me I'd stick to oil, fit up to date heating controls, have the heating system flushed and a magnetic filter fitted.


  • #11
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,749 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Wearb wrote: »
    Gas isn't much cleaner and with proper plumbing is every bit as suitable for ufh as gas. Beware of going down the LPG route. You will find a lot more unhappy customers than happy ones. Ask any friends who have it for a few years. If you don't know anyone who has it, ask yourself why.

    That makes no sense. If it were true, the no of customers using LPG would be decreasing until it hit (near) zero. Which is obviously not the case.

    And as for 'have it a few years' - well 1997 is quite a few, for me.

    I will grant a gas boiler is more complex, and more expensive (esp if you buy the wrong one, like I did) and requires competent servicing & maintenance.

    But issues of plumbing for UFH have nothing to do with choice of fuel source.

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



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  • #12
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,471 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    I didn't single out your case. I was speaking in general. Obviously there will be some who are satisfied, but I am talking from experiencing tales of woe from so many LPG users.

    Go onto any of the price comparison sites to judge it from price alone and I has been said there are other considerations besides price.


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