Without a mains gas connection, choosing how to heat your home comes down to three realistic options: LPG, oil, or a heat pump. Here’s how the two traditional off-grid fuels compare, so you can make an informed decision for your property.
LPG boilers
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is delivered and stored in a tank on your property, either above or below ground. It burns similarly to mains gas, so LPG boilers work in much the same way, offering combi, system and regular options and comparable running characteristics to a gas boiler.
- Pros: familiar boiler technology, clean-burning compared to oil, tank can often be buried for a tidier garden
- Cons: generally more expensive per kWh than mains gas, tied to one or a small number of suppliers, and prices fluctuate with wholesale LPG costs
Oil boilers
Oil is stored in an external tank and delivered by tanker as needed. Oil boilers are common across the Cotswolds and other rural areas, particularly in older or larger properties with higher heat demand.
- Pros: often cheaper per kWh than LPG, oil boilers tend to have a strong reputation for reliability, and you can shop around between suppliers for the best delivery price
- Cons: requires space for a tank, running out of fuel unexpectedly can mean a cold snap while you wait for delivery, and oil prices can be volatile
Where a heat pump fits in
If you’re facing a boiler replacement anyway, it’s worth having a heat pump assessed alongside LPG and oil. With the Boiler Upgrade Scheme now offering £9,000 towards a heat pump replacing an oil or LPG system, and no ongoing fuel deliveries or price volatility to manage, the total cost of ownership can work out competitively, particularly for well-insulated properties.
Our recommendation
There’s no single right answer, it depends on your property’s insulation, your budget, and how you weigh convenience against running costs. We survey off-grid homes across the Cotswolds every week and can talk you through the real numbers for your specific property, not just the general pros and cons.
