Considering A Switch To LPG? Here’s The Questions You Need Answered

Every business faces identical commercial pressures, regardless if they are operating off-grid or not. They’ll be aiming to reduce overheads as much as possible, be regularly monitoring their profit margins, trying to find ways to improve their efficiencies and making sure they are either meeting or exceeding increasingly stringent carbon reduction targets.

Focusing on meeting carbon reduction targets, one technique that should certainly help is for businesses to be wise with their choice of energy supply. The average small business — those with between ten and 49 employees — across the UK forks out £19k on their business gas and electricity on an annual basis. With this staggering amount in mind, it surely makes sense to secure the very best off-grid, commercial energy source and deal. In fact, such a strategy couldn’t be more vital to your bottom line.

Go off-grid and oil has long been the pick of fuel for commercial businesses for numerous years. However, LNG (liquified natural gas) and LPG (liquified petroleum gas) have started to become more popular as a result of rising environmental pressures and price volatility in recent years. Renewables are also proving more and more appealing to firms looking to take their energy supply off-grid.

Such an alteration in attitudes shouldn’t come as too much of a shock. The likes of LPG provide a billion businesses and people across the globe with a versatile, reliable and secure supply – that’s both cleaner and more efficient than traditional fossil fuels. This means they benefit from swift cost savings and a lower carbon footprint to boot.

Are you a business owner that is looking for a change after long relying on electric, oil and solid fuel at your firm? Then you’ll also be pleased to hear that switching to LPG is very easy and can be carried out with minimal downtime to operations. However, before you take that all-important step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective energy solution, Flogas, who should be sought out for a very attractive fixed or variable domestic LPG price, has compiled its top FAQs to help you make a fully-informed decision…

What does LPG entail?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas and places the natural gas of Propane (C3H₈) and Butane (C4H10) under one blanket term. Both of these variations of gas are easily converted into a liquid by cooling or adding pressure. LPG is a natural by-product of natural gas and oil extraction (66%) and the refining of oil (34%). It’s an exceptional and efficient source of energy, that would otherwise go to waste if not captured.

Can LPG be considered environmentally friendly?

As well as helping users to improve air quality and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, LPG is known to be cleaner than most fossil fuels. It emits 33% less CO₂ than coal and 15% less than heating oil, with virtually no black carbon (a major contributor to climate change). What’s more, it doesn’t pose a risk to soil or groundwater and releases less nitrogen oxides (NOx) than most other fossil fuels. The result for companies? A lower carbon footprint and a cleaner, more futureproof supply.

Can LPG be considered reliable?

You won’t need to worry about reliability when looking into LPG. With LPG, it’s like having a mains gas supply, off the grid. It has multiple, major sources making it a widely available, secure energy source that’s in global abundance. There’s a strong network of depots and storage facilities across the UK, so you can always rely on a dependable supply. Also, tanks nowadays typically feature telemetry systems, allowing for remote monitoring and auto top-up, so you never run out.

How does a switch to LPG work?

Switching to LPG after using oil for so long is a rapid process that can be carried out without any stress. At Flogas, for example, they’ll manage the whole process from start to finish – making the conversion seamless. A dedicated project manager will ensure you receive a bespoke solution to meet your company’s exact energy needs, and expert engineers will coordinate the installation (either above or below ground).

Will LPG help businesses to save cash?

You’ll notice more of your money being saved depending on how large and energy-intensive your company is when opting to switch to LPG. We find this is particularly true for those still relying on oil. LPG has a higher calorific value per tonne than oil, making it more energy efficient. It is also cleaner, so requires far less maintenance – meaning businesses can reduce costly downtime.

Will LPG be suitable for every company?

Take note here that LPG is an exceptionally versatile type of fuel that can be used in so many situations. In fact, it has more than 1,000 uses. Available in bulk or in handy cylinders, it’s used across a vast array of commercial industries – from leisure, hospitality and agriculture through to the likes of industrial heating and manufacturing processes, including steam generation. Additionally, it can be used as efficient forklift truck fuel or to run greener vehicle fleets. You can find an exhaustive list on the UKLPG website.

Should my company not consider LNG instead?

LNG stands for liquefied natural gas and is a type of gas that has been cooled to the amazingly low temperature of -162ºC. This makes it extremely compact and light to store and transport. It’s a particularly popular option amongst more energy-intensive off-grid companies (across all sectors), for example, those using a high amount of oil (kerosene, gas oil or HFO) to drive larger manufacturing or industrial processes. It is also ideal for large logistics operations, such as road haulage and shipping, as well as for powering emergency backup generators at large usage sites.