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LPG

Everything you need to know about Liquefied Petroleum Gas

If you’ve got questions about LPG, we’ve got your answers. From its uses, to how it’s made, let’s get into it!

Talk to us about switching to LPG

The basics of LPG

Let's talk about the basics...

Well, first of all, it's LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas. LPG doesn’t need the extra gas on the end… Let’s look at what LPG is and what it can do for you...

Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a colourless, efficient fuel. It’s made of molecules which only contain hydrogen and carbon atoms, making it part of the hydrocarbon family.  

As the name suggests, LPG fuel is really a gas, so it will evaporate from a liquid to a gas at low temperatures. This means that it burns really easily and makes fewer nasty gases and smoke than many other fuels.

There are two types of LPG. Both are hydrocarbons and have similar properties.  

  • The first is propane LPG, which comes from natural gas processing and oil refining. Propane boils at -42°C, making it ideal for outdoor use, think heat and cooking. If you want to use LPG in bulk for your business or home, propane is the one you need. 
  • The other type of LPG is butane, which comes from refining petrol, and has a boiling temperature of -2°C. This makes it ideal for use indoors, so portable heaters and cookers.

Read more about butane vs propane.

LPG evaporates really easily, so it needs to be stored carefully. Even a small leak can see a lot of gas disappear quickly, which is bad news if you need to warm your home or cook your dinner.

For small items, like your BBQ, our LPG is pressurised into gas bottles. We make these by putting the LPG under pressure, so it turns into a liquid, then filling the bottles with the liquid.

If you need a bigger storage solution, we offer larger LPG cylinders and bulk LPG tanks. These are filled in the same way as the bottles, but on a much bigger scale.

For more on how LPG can be stored see our installation options. 
Calor engineer attending to a below ground tank

What is propane used for?

What is LPG used for? 

You can use propane for lots of different things. From making your sausages sizzle on a summer BBQ to powering a forklift truck. LPG is essential for powering rural homes and businesses where mains gas isn’t an option.

  • Staying warm off-grid

    Where the mains stop, LPG starts. About 3 million homes in the UK rely on propane energy for their heating and hot water.

  • Making camping cosy

    LPG is the best fuel for camping. A propane bottle will take care of the tea, dinner and the hot water for the dishes too.

  • Summer BBQs

    Propane gas is one of the most popular BBQ fuels. Quick to start, no smoke and off at the turn of a knob. LPG is safe and clean.

  • Keeping you outdoors

    You can’t always rely on the British summer for warm evenings, but a propane patio heater will keep you in the garden for longer.

  • Ruling the warehouse

    Indoors or out, LPG fuelled forklift trucks get the job done. Reliable and powerful, they’ve been used across the UK for years.
Which gas bottle do I need?

What are the advantages of LPG?

Calor compact storage solution outside a rural home

Why use LPG?

It’s possible to run your heating on high emission fuel like oil, or your BBQ on charcoal, so, why should you choose LPG over the rest?

When compared to other fuels like oil or charcoal, LPG emits less harmful chemicals when burnt. That includes Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, and Sulphur. Better for you, better for the environment.
If you can’t get gas from the mains, LPG is the best answer. Easily transported, convenient and safe, LPG will keep your home toasty and your shower hot.
Switching to LPG from charcoal on your BBQ will put an end to the smoky start of dinner. And, for your boiler, the soot and residues which oil makes won’t be missed by you or your neighbours!

Calor makes LPG easy to use across a wide range of applications serving both domestic and commercial needs. We fuel homes and businesses of all sizes, providing solutions beyond just heating and hot water.

  • Commercially - LPG is used in large industrial spaces, it's used for farming and agriculture, as well as catering and hospitality too.
  • Residentially - LPG is used in living spaces from mobile homes to large holdings and everything in between. Uses include cooking and heating swimming pools.

We offer a variety of storage options to suit any requirement - from compact and portable solutions for on-the-go living to high-capacity tanks for substantial energy needs.

Whatever your LPG needs, Calor provides a convenient and effective solution for every situation!

Ready to make the change?

How is Liquefied Petroleum Gas produced?

How is LPG made?

  • From crude oil:

    When crude oil is taken out of the ground it is processed into different types of fuel. One of those types is our LPG.

  • During natural gas extraction:

    Natural gas contains many different gases when it comes out of the ground. These can be separated, giving us the propane and butane we need to make LPG for you.

  • From renewable sources:

    It’s also possible to process waste material to make Futuria liquid gas (previously known as BioLPG), by using cutting-edge technology, we can turn this waste into a renewable, chemically identical alternative to normal LPG.

  • Getting LPG ready for the bottle:

    When we have the LPG, we need to get it to you. The best way to do this is in a bottle or tank and to do this, we first have to turn it into a liquid by putting it under a lot of pressure.

  • Getting it in the bottle or storage tank:

    When LPG has gone through the refinery and turned into liquid, we store it at our terminals and depots. As we’re the largest supplier of LPG in the UK we also have the most storage, so we always have plenty of space to do this.

  • The final step:

    We fill the pressurised gas bottles. And our bulk delivery vehicles are topped up. Both are ready to deliver to you. Job done!
Calor plant operative wearing PPE filling and pressurising gas bottle

LPG Safety

How safe is LPG?

LPG safety is simple if you store and use it correctly.

As you’d expect, it’s not wise to smoke or have naked flames close to an LPG tank or bottle. You also need to check any equipment you use with LPG regularly for wear, leaks or damage.

Don’t make any changes to the tank or bottle, that includes painting it. Temperature can be changed by something as simple as painting a bottle, which can have a serious impact on the pressure inside.  

If you’re not sure, or would like more information, check out our safety hub.

Propane Vs Butane Gas

What is Propane?

You may know that propane is well known in the world of Calor.

Propane (C3H8) is a versatile and efficient form of LPG. While it's naturally a gas, it can be easily liquefied and stored in a propane (red) gas bottle or bulk tank. With a boiling point of -42oC, propane remains unaffected by cold conditions, it's perfect for outdoor storage and use. Here's why propane stands out:

  • High octane rating: Propane is highly efficient and produces more energy per cubic metre compared to other fuels. Ideal for heating, cooking, hot water and much more. 
  • Clean burning: A fuel that burns cleaner than other fossil fuels and limits contamination of groundwater and soil. What more could you want? 

Propane is the optimal choice whether you want LPG in bulk or cylinders, for your home or business. 

Did someone say BioPropane? A renewable propane and it's available now. Learn more about BioPropane, or as we like to call it, Futuria Liquid Gas (previously known as BioLPG).

What exactly is Butane?

You could say we're experts, so we're here to help you learn a bit more about it.

Butane (C4H10), like propane, is a type of LPG. It's a fuel that has to be liquefied and stored in a Butane (blue) gas bottle. Here's what makes Butane unique: 

  • Boiling point: With a boiling point of -20C, Butane is great for fuelling portable gas heaters and indoor appliances.
  • A good camping partner: Butane gas bottles are ideal for your camping and caravanning trips. Butane fuels caravanning appliances like camping stoves, heaters and portable fridges.

Butane is a no brainer. The versatility of Butane, mixed with its suitability for indoor applications makes it an excellent choice for various needs. 

Looking for a gas bottle? Or unsure which bottle you need to fuel an existing or new appliance? Check out our handy which gas bottle do I need? guide.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ's

Only certain types. As the UK moves towards net zero, we’re moving away from LPG which comes out of the ground, to renewable options like Futuria liquid gas (previously known as BioLPG) and rDME. These renewables are used in the same way as normal LPG but reduce carbon emissions by up to 44%*.
It can, but it’s mostly a concern when LPG is stored outside, and with propane LPG. Propane freezes at -44°C, so it’ll only freeze in places which get that cold.
In its natural state, LPG is completely odourless. But we add a smell to our LPG so you can smell if you’ve left an appliance on or there’s a leak. So, if you smell gas, it’s the additive we put in as a safety feature. On LPG or another fuel, If you do ever smell gas, evacuate the area then contact emergency services.

Get in touch

Further information

Need more information?

Check out our help centre.
Here you can find lost of FAQs all in one place.

Help Centre

Sources

*LPG will reduce your emissions by 18%* compared to heating oil. And up to 44%* when switching from Oil to Futuria Liquid Gas (FLG), based on a 40% FLG blend. Table based on DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2023