Oil or LPG - cheaper to run?

knobblyknees

Second attempt at this post so this will be brief.

I live in kerry so no mains gas. Would oil or LPG be cheaper to run?

Which is cheaper to install initially?
It is Almost a new build, some old external walls from existing house.

Plumber has suggested LPG to my husband.I haven't had opportunity to ask reason as yet? Why would he suggest it. From small bit of research it seems more expensive to run but getting mixed opinions googling this. Plus a lot of posts are old.

Thanks, I would really appreciate some advice.

Wearb

Oil. There are few instances where LPG is a better option. There may be a reason he wants to go LPG Ask him why, then post his answer here for other opinions.
It would need to be a very good reason to go LPG.

Dilbert75

The SEAI have a comparison somewhere on their site of cost per kW from the most common fuels. LPG is around 50% more expensive per kW than kerosene. Until I saw that I was considering a change too.

knobblyknees

Wearb wrote: »

Oil. There are few instances where LPG is a better option. There may be a reason he wants to go LPG Ask him why, then post his answer here for other opinions.
It would need to be a very good reason to go LPG.

It's a stupid question I'm sure but I'm not missing something am I? There are only two gas options, pipeline natural gas and LPG?

Wearb

knobblyknees wrote: »

It's a stupid question I'm sure but I'm not missing something am I? There are only two gas options, pipeline natural gas and LPG?

Near enough. There is also bottled gas, but that isn't really an option at all.

shane b

Hi
I live in Meath and my house is on LPG. I bought the house few years ago and had underfloor heating installed with LPG. Apparently LPG tends to works better with underfloor heating than oil. Something to do with gas boilers can heat the water to a lower temperature than oil. Hence less energy used cooling the water afterwards. Im open to correction on this or a better explanation.
The only thing with LPG is there are only 2 suppliers in Ireland; Calor or Flogas. They also have to supply the tank on which there is an annual standing charge so there is no shopping around to see who is cheaper every time you need a refill.
On the plus side LPG burns cleaner than oil, less odours, tanks come with a gauge built in and can be buried underground and can be used for cooking.

Wearb

That is sometimes the reason elf or choosing gas, but there isn't much extra work to get UFH running from oil. There will not be a noticeable smell from a well setup oil burner.

I am not against LPG from a gas point of view. My objection is that it is more expensive and the tied-in contract that prevents shopping around.

harvester of sorrow

Looking at that seai chart, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot in the difference tbh.
I had the calor rep around about 2 months ago,and after a lot of thought we decided to switch from oil to lpg.
Our oil tank was split after half a fill of oil,and the location of the tank is prone to theft also.
We where going to change to a h.e oil boiler this year but imo the lpg is a cleaner burning fuel.
Lpg at the moment is about 63 cent per litre inc vat.( that's what I got for anyway:P)
The install should be going ahead by the end of this month,so will let you know how I get on.

Dilbert75

Looking at this the cost per kWh for LPG was 11.27c and 7.55c for kerosene. That's as close to 50% more expensive as makes no difference.

corkgsxr

Calor are really pushing lpg. They work out slightly dearer but not by much.

phormium

Calor have a higher annual rental fee for tank especially if you don't buy a minimum amount, it's around €200.

I have gas for over 20yrs, with Calor until a few months ago, switched to Flogas. I know all the figures regarding cost v oil etc but I feel it is economical. I rented a house previously with oil and I gave up buying it, between it using loads to heat the place and the boiler having to have something or other done to it when it wouldn't start it drove me mad.

I have never (touch wood) had a day's trouble from the gas boiler and I still have the same one I put in day one. The average annual cost of my gas is approx €1,200 and has remained pretty much the same for several years, I also have a gas hob running from it. I have 2,500 sq ft dormer with 13 rads. Although last year the annual cost was a bit lower for some reason.

I am not technically minded or know any of the ins and outs of the thing but what I notice most compared to my brother's house for example who has oil is that I only need to turn the dial on my boiler to 1 or even less to get plenty of heat and tank of hot water whereas he needs a higher setting to get the rads as hot as mine so I just feel I get more bang for my buck even at the higher cost. The dial goes to 5 and it has never been further than 1.5 even in the coldest of weather. I like a warm house and it comes on in morning for 45 mins or so and again from 5 to 9 approx in cold months, I don't skimp on heat, I'm a cold creature. I seldom use it in summer, use electric shower or immersion as needed.

When I changed the tank recently I spoke to the rep about the underground option, I wasn't going for it but thought it was a brilliant idea. He said it was a bad plan as the tank has to be inspected periodically and you can't do that too handy when it's under your garden so don't know how that will work out in the future.