Why Off-Grid Homes Should Switch to Gas as Back Up

Over the past year, there has been a significant worry about bills. From redundancies through the pandemic of 2020 to the cost-of-living crisis, financial hardship has been ongoing.

Unfortunately, fuel and heat are bills that must be paid, especially for homes that are off-grid and rely on fuel delivery. Off-grid properties range from static homes, cabins, eco-home and even some rural properties in little hamlets across the British countryside. Although it is not as heard of, four million properties in the UK are off the grid regarding their power.

Why Do People Still Live Off-Grid?

Whilst some have no choice but to live without a mains supply of power and fuel, for others, it is a choice they make. Living off the mains supply of electricity and gas can reduce your carbon footprint and helps to make you much more aware of the energy you use. Unlike having a constant supply, knowing there is a limit before your supply runs out significantly affects personal efficiency and use.

Often people choose to go off-grid to reduce their bills. For example, a static caravan can offer less space than a bungalow, but they also cost much less to run. With minimal heating and electricity, lower rental or purchase prices and many sites allowing year-round residency, it could be an ideal solution for couples or those living alone to reduce their bills.

What Are Fuel Options Available for Off-Grid Homes?

Although it would be idealistic to imagine a home back to the basics without the need for electricity, in a modern world, it is not practical. Luckily, there are many options to fuel your off-grid home to provide it with heat and electricity.

Renewable energy. This is a great eco-friendly way to provide your home with power. It offers complete green energy, has no environmental impact, and is a fantastic way to live sustainably. Unfortunately, whilst this may offer some off-grid houses the benefits of being eco, it is not always possible to harness renewable energy. Either due to lack of consistent sun, lack of wind, or not being situated near running water sources. However, even if your home cannot be sustained by renewable energy, it can provide a subsidiary which can help keep your carbon footprint down.

Generators. Various kinds of generators can be used to fuel an off-grid home. There are petrol generators and gas generators. Of course, whilst these are efficient for minor electricity uses, they are extremely noisy and can impact the noise pollution of an area. This is not ideal for everyday use, but if this is an option you may be considering, LPG canisters offer a much greener fuel and are much more cost-effective than petrol.

Oil-fuelled heating systems. Although this option does not include fuel electricity, it can provide off-grid homes with the heat they require to stay warm. These systems are found in rural locations and are popular for non-mobile homes. Unfortunately, though, this option is not very cost-effective year-round and offers very little efficiency.

LPG heating systems. The most versatile and efficient way to heat a home is by installing an LPG boiler. LPG is much more environmentally friendly than oil, with fewer carbon emissions. In addition, due to the construction of LPG, it is physically much cleaner than oil, meaning there will be much less maintenance of the boiler over time.

Oil Heating Systems Vs LPG Heating Systems

Oil burners may have their advantages, but when it comes to saving money, LPG heating systems will offer more benefits. In remote locations, finding an oil supplier may be difficult, and you could be limited to one supplier, giving them a monopoly on prices. However, with the high demand for bottled gases for many applications, you are never too far from an independent supplier.

Another advantage is the maintenance of an LPG heating system. Although they need an annual service, they are less prone to breakdowns due to the lack of liquid than an oil boiler. Oil builds up and can clog the mechanics required to keep everything running smoothly. You may find that with an oil boiler, there are many more callouts and downtimes whilst it waits for repair, which is not ideal in cold winter weather.

Finally, the environmental benefits are much greater than other forms of fuel. LPG is the most environmentally efficient and reliable fuel of all the ways to heat and power your off-grid home. Although LPG is classed as a fossil fuel, it is much cleaner than other fossil fuels, such as coal.

Installation of an LPG Heating System

Mains gas and LPG boilers are very much identical in design and functionality. A typical LPG boiler can cost between £600 and £2000, with the labour costs matching these prices. Conversion to LPG is relatively easy and can be done in a day or two. LPG boiler systems work similarly to gas systems and heat the central heating in your home through a radiator with an efficient heat exchanger.

Hybrid Gas and Renewable Energy as The Way Forward

Of course, renewable energy is the greenest and most environmentally friendly energy you can use for your home. However, if you’re looking for a backup energy source if your renewable energy fails through lack of sun, water or wind, LPG offers the greenest option. Although it is classed as a fossil fuel, it is classed as the most eco-friendly fossil fuel due to its minimal impact on the environment.

A hybrid solution can often be the best way to fuel your home. Oil boilers tend to break down quicker and rely on more maintenance than LPG, which may make them more costly in the long run. In addition, although the expense of installing an LPG system into your off-grid home currently using oil may seem steep, and the unit costs are cheaper, gas can still save you money.

Finding Suitable Gas

When finding the right gas for your off-grid LPG fuelled property, you must ensure you find reliable and high-quality gas supplies. At Adams Gas, we offer regular delivery in Kent, South and central London. We check all our gases before sale to ensure they are of the highest quality and have no contaminants that may cause dangerous implications when in use.

You can browse through our site to order your gas online and learn more about our delivery and how to order. Alternatively, for more regular deliveries, you can contact us directly, and one of our team members will be sure to help you out.