Is it possible to convert gas boilers to bottled gas?

Gas plays a key role in Ukraine's energy sector. Prospects include modernizing and diversifying the energy infrastructure, developing gas-fired power plants, and moving toward more efficient use of gas in power generation. However, this also entails an increase in the population’s dependence on the gas supplier, as well as an increase in the cost of design work. And consumers often wonder whether it is possible to convert gas boilers to bottled gas. And are there other options for autonomous heating?

Autonomous heating really reduces your dependence on gas services, which in some cases act like collection agencies. But heating with bottled gas, although convenient, is expensive.

A little about the gas industry in Ukraine

Ukraine seeks to reduce dependence on gas imports, therefore it is actively developing alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, as well as biogas and biomass. However, the deployed infrastructure does not allow the population to do this quickly and efficiently. Also, none of the technologies provides a cost-effective combination of initial equipment installation and operation. Either a very expensive purchase of equipment and cheap heat, or inexpensive installation combined with a significant operating cost.

The gas industry also involves support for the economic sector, from providing gas to energy-intensive industries and the needs of central heating. Gas is used in various industries such as chemical, glass, metallurgical and others. Prospects include improving technology and increasing energy efficiency to reduce energy costs.

Opportunities for the use of gas in the transport sector include the development of a network of gas filling stations for gas vehicles, as well as the promotion of compressed or liquefied natural gas technologies for road transport.

That is, it is not worth expecting that main gas will become cheaper, and that connecting will be more profitable for consumers. Then it makes sense to think about whether it is possible to convert gas boilers to bottled gas? You can do this by changing the type of burner and connecting a gas cylinder. This is effective if you have access to cheap liquefied gas.

Liquefied gas in cylinders

In Ukraine, liquefied gas (propane-butane) is widely used as an alternative source of energy for heating, especially in those areas where there is no centralized gas supply or gas pipelines. Private homes and businesses can use cylinders or tanks to store liquefied gas. This allows you to have an independent source of fuel for heating and hot water supply.

Specialized companies provide liquefied gas delivery services to consumers who cannot provide themselves with fuel. This is usually done using tanks or cylinders, which are transported on special transport.

Some consumers use automatic filling systems, which ensure a continuous supply of gas. For many consumers, the cost of liquefied gas may be more affordable than alternative fuel sources, especially in rural areas where installing infrastructure for other energy sources may be more expensive.

In this case, you can use conventional gas boilers:

• subject to changing the boiler gas burner nozzle;
• save on a gas project;
• use a convenient heating source in a compact design, for example, a double-circuit condensing boiler.

How to convert gas boilers to bottled gas

Converting the boiler from one type of gas to another must be carried out by a specialist authorized by the service center. Many boiler models can operate on both natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). By default they are configured to run on natural gas. To switch to LNG it is necessary to make changes to the boiler design, including replacing the burner nozzles, selecting the gas type on the boiler control board and adjusting the gas pressure.

How to convert gas boilers to bottled gas:

1. Disconnect the boiler from the power supply and turn off the gas supply.
2. Remove the front cover of the boiler body.
3. Remove the sealed chamber cover and the side housing covers.
4. Remove the combustion chamber cover.
5. Unscrew the bolts securing the burner to the manifold and remove the burner, being careful not to damage the combustion chamber insulation plates.
6. Remove the gas manifold injectors.
7. Replace the injectors with the appropriate ones for the size and type of gas (0.77 mm for 24 kW, 0.82 mm for 28 kW).
8. Reinstall the burner.
9. Reinstall the boiler casing in reverse order.

These instructions must be followed carefully to avoid damage and ensure proper operation of the LPG boiler.

Do you need to switch to CNG if you have not yet installed a heating system?

Our company does not recommend using this expensive type of fuel. It is much easier to install a gas generator boiler using long-burning solid fuel. These boilers burn literally everything, during the combustion process gas is formed and a secondary heat transfer process occurs during combustion. Savings on this type of fuel reach 500%. And the question of how to convert gas boilers to bottled gas will never face you again.