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Boiler Guide

LPG Boiler

Gas heating without the gas main — using Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

An LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) boiler works like a conventional gas boiler but runs on propane stored in a tank on your property. LPG is a popular alternative for rural properties off the mains gas grid, offering the familiarity and convenience of gas heating without a mains connection.

Typical Cost
£2,500–£4,500 installed (boiler + tank installation if new)
Install Time
1–2 days
Efficiency
Up to 94% AFUE with modern condensing LPG boilers

How Does a LPG Boiler Work?

LPG is stored as a liquid under pressure in a tank — typically 500 to 2,000 litres — which can be owned or rented from a supplier. As the gas is drawn off, it vaporises and is fed to the boiler at low pressure. The boiler then operates in almost exactly the same way as a mains gas combi, system, or heat-only boiler.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • Burns cleaner than oil and produces less soot
  • LPG boilers are almost identical in operation to mains gas models
  • Wide range of boiler options — combi, system, and heat-only all available
  • Reliable supply from established UK LPG providers
  • Existing mains gas boilers can sometimes be converted to LPG

Disadvantages

  • LPG is more expensive per kWh than mains natural gas
  • Requires a tank — either purchased or rented from a supplier
  • Tanks require periodic inspection and maintenance
  • Supply contracts can tie you to one provider, limiting flexibility

Best For

  • Rural properties off the mains gas grid that prefer gas-style operation over oil
  • Homes where a switchover from oil to a cleaner fuel is desired
  • Properties already set up with an LPG tank

Not Ideal For

  • Properties with mains gas access (where gas is cheaper per kWh)
  • Households that consume very large amounts of heating fuel (running costs add up quickly)

What Is an LPG Boiler?

An LPG boiler uses Liquefied Petroleum Gas — typically propane — as its fuel source instead of natural gas. LPG boilers are mechanically very similar to mains gas boilers and are available in combi, system, and heat-only configurations. They are an excellent choice for rural and off-grid properties in Northamptonshire, Rutland, and across the UK where mains gas is unavailable.

How Is LPG Different from Mains Gas?

The key difference is supply: instead of gas arriving via a pipe in the street, LPG is stored on-site in a pressurised tank, usually positioned in the garden or side of the property. A supplier delivers LPG in liquid form, which vaporises into gas as it is drawn off. The boiler then receives it at regulated low pressure and burns it in the same way as a natural gas boiler.

The boilers themselves are very similar — many manufacturers offer the same models in both mains gas and LPG versions, simply with different burner jets fitted.

LPG vs Oil: Which Is Better?

Both LPG and oil are common options for off-grid rural properties. LPG burns more cleanly, produces less carbon soot, and is considered slightly better for air quality than heating oil. On the other hand, oil has a higher energy density per litre, and oil boilers tend to have slightly lower running costs than LPG at current UK market prices. The right choice depends on your property, preferences, and local supplier availability.

LPG Boiler Installation in Northamptonshire

Corby Boiler Installations is Gas Safe registered to work on LPG appliances and can advise on the full package — boiler, tank size, controls, and pipework. We cover rural parts of Northamptonshire, Rutland, and Lincolnshire where LPG is commonly used.

Ready to Get a Price for a LPG Boiler?

Use our instant calculator to get a fixed price — or speak directly to one of our Gas Safe engineers in Corby.