Heating Benefits


One of the biggest draws for oil fired systems is the cost of the fuel, but while the unpredictable nature of the international markets is helping to keep oil cheap for the moment, there are several other factors that should be considered.


For example, LPG boilers tend to be significantly cheaper than comparable oil fired heating systems, both in terms of the initial purchase price and when it comes to fitting and maintenance costs. Over the 10-15 year service period, this can result in a significant potential saving.


Indeed, the short service life expectancy and regular maintenance required for many alternative models means an LPG boiler would deliver important cost savings when the total cost of ownership is considered. As well as cost, LPG also has several advantages when it comes to security of supply. For many care homes based off- grid, this is a very real concern. Intelligent automatic top-up technology can alert a supplier when the fuel is beginning to run low, meaning there’s no chance of accidently running out. This may seem like a minor issue, but in homes caring for vulnerable adults, an interruption in the heating can have major consequences. LPG offers a reliable supply of fuel, so care homes can be confident that heating and hot water supply will be constant.


As well as reliability and potential savings, LPG also has excellent environmental credentials when compared to heating oil. When it comes to carbon emissions, LPG emits 20 per cent less CO2


per kWh than oil1 and


produces fewer harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) than oil, kerosene and coal fired heating systems.2


For those looking to


upgrade to a cleaner fuel or to replace an old or inefficient boiler, LPG delivers an environmentally friendly and cost- effective alternative.


Security


Another easy-to-overlook benefit is that LPG is not only reliable, but is also highly secure. Fuel theft remains a major issue in rural areas, with isolated homes and businesses presenting especially tempting targets. Indeed, NFU Mutual reported that oil/diesel is the third item most commonly targeted by thieves in its 2015 Rural Crime Survey.3 By opting for LPG, care homes do not have to worry about fuel theft as gas is virtually impossible to steal. It also burns clean with virtually no soot, will


Conclusion


Routine boiler maintenance that is undertaken by a qualified engineer will help to ensure that heating and hot water systems are operating reliably and safely. Taking this simple step to improve indoor air quality could make a dramatic difference to delivering a warm and safe environment for residents in the long term.


Although it’s easy to forget or overlook among the hundreds of other decisions that face care home managers


May 2017 • www.thecarehomeenvironment .com Gina Roche


Gina Roche is Calor’s care home specialist. Having worked for Calor for seven years, she understands how liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is uniquely placed to meet the challenges posed by the care home environment, covering heating efficiency, security of supply and aesthetic demands.


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With elderly and vulnerable individuals being particularly at risk, it is imperative that care home managers check the reliability and efficient operation of heating appliances and devices


not mix with water and is heavier than air, so if there is a leak it will sink into the ground or rest on top of water until it evaporates.


Another key advantage of LPG is that the tanks can be stored underground. For many potential residents, the appeal of a rural care homes lies in the location and the scenic views on offer, and so the fact that LPG tanks can be installed underground is a huge benefit. In comparison, oil tanks are typically unsightly and can ruin the picturesque views that are often a key selling point of care homes based off the mains gas grid.


Boiler maintenance


While every home and business owner should take care to keep their boiler well-maintained, this is particularly true for care homes.


A report released last year by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, entitled Every Breath We Take: The lifelong impact of air pollution,4 highlighted the damaging effects of poor indoor air quality, particularly from faulty boilers and heaters. With elderly and vulnerable individuals being particularly at risk, it is imperative that care home managers check the reliability and efficient operation of heating appliances and devices. One of the factors that can have the biggest impact on a boiler’s lifespan and maintenance costs is the fuel used. Spending time considering this can reap rewards in the future.


every day, fuel choice is a vital consideration. Taking the time to consider the options and evaluate their benefits can save money, boost reliability and ensure that residents are kept comfortable whatever the weather. TCHE


References 1 Atlantic Consulting. LPG’s Carbon Footprint Relative to Other Fuels – A Scientific Review. Switzerland: Atlantic Consulting, 2009. [www.tinyurl.com/z6l93s2].


2 The Engineering Toolbox. Combustion of Fuels and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Emission. [www.tinyurl.com/3d2ft8].


3 NFU Mutual. Rural Crime Report 2016. [www.tinyurl.com/jlty4yc].


4 Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Every Breath We Take: The lifelong impact of air pollution. RCP, 2016. [www.tinyurl.com/jr9fean].


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