Natural Gas is the most widely used heating fuel in the United Kingdom.

Most dwellings in the UK have mains gas central heating. This is also known as a ‘wet system’ where a gas-fired boiler heats water, which supplies heat through radiators and hot water through the taps in your home.

Some homes that aren’t connected to the main gas network use an alternative called liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or home heating oil (Kerosene 28), which work in a similar way, although LPG and oil are supplied by road and stored in a storage tank situated on your property, which you may have to buy or rent from your supplier.

The Annual fuel cost for heating and hot water (not including installation costs)

• Condensing boiler: £490*
• Standard boiler: £730*

Carbon emissions per year

• Condensing boiler: 2.5 tonnes*
• Standard boiler: 3.7 tonnes*

These are estimated yearly costs based on heating and hot water usage of a three-bedroomed, semi-detached, well-insulated house (insulated cavity walls, loft insulation, thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) and insulated (lagged) primary pipe work), the efficiencies of typical heating systems and the current average price per fuel per kWh (as at Sept 2009). They are not established from fuel bills.

Advantages of a gas central heating system

Gas is a extremely efficient fuel source, so you get a good return on every unit of energy. Modern condensing boilers, which use hot flue gases that are wasted in a standard boiler, have very high efficiency. Some are now 90% or more energy efficent.

Natural Gas is piped direct to your home so you don’t need to store any fuel and connects to a gas meter that is usually rented from your supplier.

Replacing a less efficient ‘standard’ gas boiler with a highly efficient modern condensing boiler is a relatively simple process.

As gas is the most commonly used heating fuel in the UK, finding a plumber on the Gas Safe Register scheme should be fairly easy if your boiler breaks down or needs servicing.

Austin Heating Services and it’s engineers are fully qualified and registered with the Gas Safe Register.

The gas registration scheme, was previously administered by Corgi taken over by Capita on 1 April 2009.

The new scheme is called the Gas Safe Register.

Anyone preparing to carry out work on your gas boiler is required by law to be on the Gas Safe Register. You can check engineer or company’s registration details on the Gas Safe Register website or by calling directly on 0800 408 5500.

Disadvantages of gas central heating

Natural Gas prices are unfortunately on the rise and are likely to remain high. The UK is no longer self-sufficient in natural gas and must compete with increasing demand from other countries.

Installing a gas central heating system from scratch could be expensive and disruptive. If you’re not on the man gas network, having a new supply connected your property can also be costly.

Gas boilers need servicing annually to ensure they run efficiently and last as long as they should do.

Austin Heating can perform your annual gas service from as little as £49.00 (Gas and LPG) why not call us today on 01255 860168 to book an appointment?

As a fossil fuel, gas produces carbon dioxide when it’s burnt and isn’t considered a clean source of energy.

If you would like to discuss the installation of a new gas central heating system or would like more information on replacing your existing boiler with a more energy efficient one, please Contact Us