Building ‘off-grid’ Gregor Dalgleish from Calor discusses the best fuel choices for rural self-builders I
f you’re a rural self-builder creating your dream home in the countryside, it’s likely you’ll have more space and freedom to perfect your
property than if you were building in the city. However, if you have no access to mains
gas, one of the first considerations you’ll need to make – even before you think about the fabric of the building – is what fuel you’re going to use for heating, hot water, and cooking. There’s a range of options available and tra-
ditionally oil has been the go-to fuel for rural homes, but LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is increasing in popularity among self-builders. One of the great things about LPG is that it’s
just like mains gas and can be used for heating a home and providing hot water, as well as for cooking, fuelling gas fires and even powering appliances such as gas tumble dryers.
Cost-cutting
It can also cost less than you think to install an LPG system. For example, an oil tank can cost as much as £2,000 plus the added expense of installa- tion, maintenance and insurance to factor in.
In comparison, an LPG tank can be installed
free of charge and as suppliers often retain ownership of the tank, they take care of its maintenance too. LPG boilers typically cost £900 less to pur-
chase than an equivalent oil boiler, so it’s likely you’ll save on cost here too. They are also more compact than oil versions and can be easily wall mounted, meaning they take up less space in your home. There’s a range of storage options with LPG, including above ground and underground bulk tanks and cylinder packs, meaning there’s a
70 new models in Hitachi’s latest line-up
solution for most outside spaces. Clever top up technology is also available on
tanks to monitor gas levels and as it automati- cally schedules a refill when running low, you needn’t worry about checking fuel levels or reordering.
Eco-conscious
As a self-builder, you may be more environmen- tally conscious than the average homeowner. LPG is one of the cleanest fossil fuels available and is virtually impossible to steal – a plus if you’re building in a rural area where oil theft can be an issue. It’s also a perfect partner fuel for use with renewable systems, such as air-source heat pumps or solar panels, which can be a great option if you decide you want an even greener energy supply. There’s a fantastic range of A-rated, high effi-
ciency LPG boilers on the market too, which are compatible with the latest thermostatic controls, helping you reduce the amount of energy you use for your heating and hot water.
Enq. 320 Off grid installations made easy with new guide
01628 585394
www.hitachiaircon.com Enq. 321
Heat pumps work in hybrid situation with oil boiler
New retrofit underfloor heating system
Heating a Georgian country house was costing a small fortune in oil but there were also limits on how much improvement could be made. Three PUHZ-HW112VHA(-BS) Ecodan units from Mitsubishi Electric have been installed and these work in a cascade system, which means that the heat pumps work individually or together to respond to the heating requirements of the property. Ecodan’s advanced intelligent controls mean that the heat pumps work in a hybrid situation with
the oil boiler, deciding which heating system to use at any time to ensure that the house is heated in the most economical way possible.
01707 282880
www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk Enq. 323 52 selfbuilder & homemaker
www.sbhonline.co.uk
Maincor are pleased to introduce Overboard for retrofit underfloor heating applications. Ideal for projects such as extensions, kitchen refurbish- ments or upgrading domestic heating systems, the system is quick and easy to install, offering an energy efficient solution and a comfortable internal environment for building occupiers. The underfloor heating pipes (12mm Multi-Layer Composite Pipe) are laid within the 18mm thick pre-routed Overboard panels offering a low
profile solution which lends itself to situations where minimal floor height adjustments are desired. This makes the Overboard system suitable for virtually any property desiring UFH.
Enq. 324
Completely redesigned to meet the needs of specifiers, installers and homeowners – and utilising common components, common outdoor units and simplified design to benefit both end users and installers – Hitachi’s extended Yutaki air source heat pump product line-up includes a total of 70 new models which are more compact for small installation spaces and are lighter weight for easier handling. Hitachi’s expanded Yutaki air source heat pump product range is one of the
widest on the market. Hitachi’s innovative Yutaki-SCombi integrated solution has been designed specifically for the UK market.
Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has launched a new Off Grid guide – ideal for self-builders and those reno- vating properties where connecting to the mains gas grid is not an option. A practical and useful guide, it includes everything required for LPG, oil and electric heating as well as a selection of renewable technologies to help reduce energy bills and make the most of government incentives. The Off Grid guide features LPG and oil boiler replacement packs, which include the
boiler and horizontal flue. Graham Plumbers' Merchant has a network of branches around the UK with specialist and knowledgeable staff.
@Graham_Merchants
www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk Enq. 322
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