Liquid Gas UK urges LPG customers to get ahead for winter
4 min read
Liquid Gas UK, the trade association for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is encouraging customers and users of LPG to get ahead for winter, with some top tips to help prepare for the colder months that lie ahead. Recognising that severe weather can disrupt lives in all sorts of ways, knowing how best to prepare and respond can help customers to keep themselves, and those around them, safe during the colder season.
George Webb, chief executive of Liquid Gas UK, said: “Although it may seem a bit early to start talking about winter, we recognise that during the colder months a reliable and consistent source of energy is essential, therefore it’s vital to act now to ensure your equipment is working efficiently.
“Customers should make sure that their boiler and other gas appliances are serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and if the boiler is more than 15 years old, a replacement should be considered to ensure ultimate efficiency. An energy-efficient condensing boiler will not only significantly cut heating bills but could also achieve running efficiencies of 90 per cent.”
For homeowners who live off the gas grid, LPG is a reliable and convenient fuel that acts in the same way as mains gas but is piped from a tank or cylinder generally located in the garden, delivered by suppliers based across the UK.
Demand for the off-grid fuel is at its highest during winter and with LPG delivered via road, unexpected and severe weather conditions can cause disruption to normal delivery patterns. Liquid Gas UK is urging customers to check that they have a full tank of fuel as the colder months approach to minimise the chance of disruption to supply.
Webb continued: “Many LPG suppliers provide customers with monitoring systems which automatically transmit details of the customer’s fuel level, alerting the supplier to arrange a delivery to fill up the tank ahead of winter. However, customers who don’t have this facility and order LPG themselves should consider checking their tank levels as soon as possible and ordering a delivery to provide peace of mind. Going into winter fully prepared and with a full tank ensures that householders and businesses can access the fuel and heat they need, regardless of any extreme weather conditions.”
Liquid Gas UK and its members work closely with the Government, devolved administrations and local authorities during winter to ensure LPG can be delivered as efficiently as possible, whatever the weather. All Liquid Gas UK members agree to the principles set out in the Customer Charter, which includes a Cold Weather Priority Initiative.
Top ten tips for getting ahead of winter:
1. Give your boiler an overhaul– make sure your boiler and any other gas appliances are serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
2. Consider replacing your boiler– if your boiler is 15 years old or more it could be time to replace it. Make sure you choose an energy efficient condensing boiler which could cut your heating bills significantly and achieve running efficiencies of 90%.
3. Insulate– loft insulation is a straightforward job which will dramatically cut the heat loss from your home. Also insulate your hot water tank by fitting it with a thick jacket, this can reduce heat loss by up to 75 per cent.
4. Draft-proof your home– draughty external doors are responsible for 15% of heat loss in the home. Draft-proofing is a cheap and easy way to prevent heat loss. Hanging and closing curtains will also help to trap heat inside.
5. Use a programmer– use a programmer to set when the heating and hot water come on and go off based around your routine, helping to save energy and money.
6. Lower your thermostat- lowering your thermostat setting by just 1°C could save you money.
7. Bleed your radiators- bleed your radiators to release any air that is trapped in them. This will improve your heating efficiency instantly and lead to warmer rooms.
8. Check your pipes– check all pipework to ensure that there are no leaks, fix any drips and lag pipes to avoid bursts.
9. Check your LPG levels– if you order LPG yourself please look at the tank level now and consider ordering from your supplier as soon as possible. Going into winter with a full tank may be more cost effective, will provide peace of mind and it means that when it turns cold you needn’t worry about your energy supply.
10. Check if you are on an automatic top up system with your LPG supplier- you may already be on an automatic top up system whereby your LPG supplier will take account of your needs and top up your tank when you need it - but if you aren’t on this system, you may want to check if this service is available to you.
For more advice on how to prepare for winter, please click here or search #GetAheadForWinter on Twitter.
