LPG and Oil Comparison

Discover the numerous benefits that Calor LPG holds over other rural energy sources.

» LPG and oil comparison

For properties in non-mains gas areas, Calor LPG provides a highly reliable, cost effective fuel alternative. LPG has the lowest carbon emissions out of all the fossil fuels available in rural areas, and emits 11.7 % less CO2 per kWh than heating oil.*

LPG can be used alongside renewable technologies and it's perfect for heating, cooking and hot water. LPG installation and set up cost are on average £2,500 less than oil. **

*SAP (2005) www.projects.bre.co.uk/SAP2005/

**Prices obtained from independent installers and manufacturers.

» Pros and cons of LPG

Pros of LPG

Installation and set up cost is on average £2,500 less than oil.*
Calor endeavours to offer price stability by giving fixed prices for a period of time.**
LPG has the lowest carbon emissions out of all the fossil fuels available in rural areas, and emits 11.7 per cent less CO2 per kWh than heating oil1.
LPG can be used alongside renewable technologies, reducing running costs and carbon emissions further.
A leak of LPG vapour is unlikely to pose any significant ground or water pollution hazard. LPG burns cleaner, with virtually no soot and very few sulphur emissions.
LPG is less likely to be siphoned out of the tank.
The storage tank remains the property and responsibility of Calor, so there’s no need to worry about maintenance.
It’s convenient and versatile – it can fuel central heating, water heating, fires and cookers with a real and controllable flame.
Storage options for LPG are very flexible and include underground tank storage so that only the tank’s lid is visible.
Calor offers automatic fuel top-ups, so you should never need to worry about re-ordering LPG.
LPG installers must be Gas Safe® Register (formerly CORGI), which protects property owners.
Calor offers specialist customer engineering and installation sevices, offering a complete solution.

Cons of LPG

The LPG tank remains the property of the LPG supplier and therefore can only be filled by that supplier.

Sources (All sources obtained Sept 2008)

*Prices obtained from independent installers and manufacturers

**Correct Sept 2008, subject to change without notice

» Pros and cons of oil

Pros of oil

With oil, a customer has the freedom to change supplier at any time. They can choose who their fuel is delivered by.
Oil can be used alongside renewable technologies.

Cons of oil

The average installation cost is around £6,500 putting it at approx £2,500 more than LPG.*
Over the last eighteen months the cost of oil has nearly doubled.**
Oil emits 13.25 per cent more CO2 per kWh than LPG.***
Oil boilers emit a higher level of Nox a particularly harmful greenhouse gas.****
As oil customers own their storage tanks they are responsible for its installation, maintenance, annual servicing and insurance.
You will usually have to invest in another fuel for cooking.
Strict regulations are in place for oil storage, and if these are breached the consequences can be severe. Failure to comply with environmental regulations is a criminal not a civil offence.
With oil, customers shop around when a top-up is required and therefore may experience price fluctuations, which can be difficult to budget for.
The owner of an oil tank is liable for leakage however it is caused – whether through poor installation, insufficient maintenance or vandalism.
Some of the UK’s leading insurers do not provide cover for oil storage tanks.*****
Oil installers do not have to be OFTEC registered, so there is no governing body like Gas Safe® Register (formerly CORGI) protecting property owners.