Step-by-Step LPG Conversion

According to Calor, the UK’s leading LPG supplier, LPG is fast becoming the preferred non-mains-gas fuel thanks to its similarity to natural gas, its versatility and the real, controllable flame it provides for cookers and fires.

There are a wide variety of high efficiency LPG boilers on offer from leading manufacturers, but LPG conversion kits are also available for most natural boilers on the market. Conversion kits are a simple and relatively low cost way of converting a natural gas boiler to LPG, providing even more choice for installers. Here, with the help of Calor and boiler manufacturer Ferroli, we illustrate how easy changing a natural gas boiler to LPG really is:

1. Isolate the fuel and electricity supply, remove outer casing.
   
2. Remove the combustion cover.
   
3. Undo the gas union on the mixing chamber.
   
4. Replace the natural gas injector with a LPG gas injector. LPG gas injectors have a slightly smaller diameter than natural gas injectors as the two fuels are delivered at different working pressures (mains gas is delivered at 20m/bar and LPG at 37m/bar).
   
5. Replace the combustion cover, turn the fuel and electricity supply back on and test. Check the gas union for leaks.
   
6. The boiler now needs to be set up for LPG. Fire the boiler up to maximum and run for 10 minutes. Insert a gas analyser into the sample points on the flue. Set the CO2 percentage reading to 9.5-10% (this is a different setting to natural gas, which is 8.7-9% CO2).
   
7. To ensure the boiler is operating at the correct working pressure (37m/bar), undo the test nipple on the gas valve, fire up the boiler on the maximum and test with a u gauge.
   
8. Replace the combustion cover.
   
9. Before replacing the outer cover, place a sticker on the inside to show the boiler has been converted to LPG.

With 73,000 people moving from towns and cities to the English countryside each year* and around 1.5 million UK homes being situated in non-mains-gas areas, there’s lots of potential for proactive installers. Natural gas installers can gain the additional CONGLP1 LPG qualification at training centres across the country. For further information on Calor call 0800 121 4461 or visit www.calor.co.uk.

* The State of the Countryside, The Countryside Agency (rural England) 2004.

Issued on behalf of Calor by The Bright Consultancy, 1 Henley Court, High Street, Henley-in-Arden, West Midlands B95 5BA. For further information please contact Ruth Barrows/Cara Hastings/Annette Massam at Bright on Tel: +44 (0) 1564 795535 Fax: +44 (0) 1564 795560 or Email: ruth@bright-consultancy.co.uk.

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Ref: CALG0071AV
Released: 25th July 2005