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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want gas rather than oil?!

27 replies

ShoesieQ · 31/07/2017 18:45

We've just found out that we need to replace the oil fired boiler. Did a bit of digging and found that it's likely to only cost about £500 to get connected to the gas mains, as it runs right outside the house. As gas boilers are about £500 cheaper than oil ones that means the installation costs are about the same.

However DH doesn't want to swap to gas as in his mind there's more scope for things to go wrong Confused, though he can't really explain why he thinks that.

My gut feel is to go with gas, as the only downside I can see is it may take a bit longer to install. But even then the worst case scenario is we have no central heating until mid October (we have an immersion heater for water, thank god!). AIBU, and can anyone who knows more than we do please explain the pros and cons?!

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 31/07/2017 18:48

Go for gas. Oil is an expensive pain in the arse. It will definitely be worth some short-term inconvenience to have a cheaper and easier fuel forevermore.

SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 31/07/2017 18:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LanaKanesLeftNippleTassle · 31/07/2017 19:01

DP is a boiler/ heating engineer.
Have just asked his opinion.

GET GAS!

Oil is expensive, really "dirty" to run, modern gas boilers are so much more efficient and a hell of a lot safer, plus the environment will thank you for it.

LanaKanesLeftNippleTassle · 31/07/2017 19:02

Oh and in the medium to long term, gas will cost you considerably less in maintenence, running costs and boiler parts.

topcat2014 · 31/07/2017 19:03

Used to work for a company that supplied oil storage tanks - so know a bit.

Oil is v expensive, not really an open 'market' for prices - they ramp upwards in winter, but then I guess you know that.

If you can get mains gas I would do it..

AnarchyKitty · 31/07/2017 19:03

Go for it! I would love gas. Unfortunately we are so rural it doesn't exist. We have a biomass boiler and it's a right pain in the arse.

Original poster
ShoesieQ · 31/07/2017 19:34

Thank you so much for your ammo replies - much appreciated!

PS who'd have thought a thread on boilers would attract such fabulously-monikered MNers?!

OP posts:
Janeinthemiddle · 31/07/2017 19:47

Go for electric?

Polyanthus · 31/07/2017 19:57

We were in the same situation as you two years ago and went for connection to gas and it's definitely been the right thing to do. Having had both types of boiler I'd be really put off buying a house somewhere where I couldn't connect to mains gas in the future,

Floellabumbags · 31/07/2017 20:04

Oil's shit. It's not so much the price of crude as the inefficient boilers. We lived in a village with no gas and spent £3k a year on heating. Ridiculous!

daddyorscience · 31/07/2017 20:05

I've live out in the sticks, and have a gas tank. Had the oil option, but the way i see it, it's more secure. Any bugger wants to hope my tank and steal fuel, they'll be scraping them off the scenery..Grin

Rossigigi · 31/07/2017 20:09

Go for gas cheaper and better for the environment

LoniceraJaponica · 31/07/2017 20:10

Electricity is far more expensive than gas. I wouldn't even consider buying a house that doesn't have mains gas.

Janeinthemiddle · 31/07/2017 22:53

Lonicera I hear that but I've lived in a house with gas and electric but now I'm electric only. My bills are cheaper now than before, taking into consideration of not needing to maintain boiler as well.

Original poster
ShoesieQ · 01/08/2017 17:35

That's interesting Jane - everything I'd heard up to now was that electric was v expensive and best avoided. What sort of radiators do you have?

OP posts:
Fairylea · 01/08/2017 17:38

We swapped an oil boiler for gas in our old house and it was a doddle. Took just as long as it would have took just to fit a new oil one really, even including connecting the gas. Long term you'll find it more attractive to buyers if you ever want to sell too.

waitingforlifetostart · 01/08/2017 17:56

If you ever want to sell, gas will be a bigger selling point than oil.

catsbeensickagain · 01/08/2017 18:09

Just to be contrary we have oil and love it. We are completely out in the sticks so no choice but it costs us around £500 a year for heating and hot water. Plus £50 for servicing. I know oil prices vary quite a lot though, we are lucky and pay a reduced rate for ours for not caring when it is delivered. We do also have an electric aga which reduces the heating element a bit. The thing I love about it (having had gas before) is that I don't get a giant bill for a random amount of gas - I can stick a dipstick in it and keep track! Also minor problems are easy to sort, for example our boiler lost pressure last week and the repair guy was able to talk me through topping it up on the phone whereas only a Corgi person (or whatever they are now called) can touch a gas boiler.
That said before I bought this house I was dreading the oil so I would agree gas is probably a better sales point.

GreenTulips · 01/08/2017 18:11

Where do you all live?? Oil is half the price of gas here - £600 a year for a 4 bed house!!

SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 01/08/2017 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Boredwithmyname · 01/08/2017 18:16

Gas is so much better. No worries about deliveries, a far wider choice of boiler types and much easier to find engineers. It also means that at some point you can consider a gas hob which is way nicer to cook on ime.

dailydance · 01/08/2017 18:20

Have had both in the past. On gas now... stick with gas; much cheaper and far less faff. Also less likely that someone will steal gas (oil yes!)

Pigface1 · 01/08/2017 18:23

Gas! As a previous poster said it will make your house far more marketable, plus oil's horrific for the environmental (not saying that gas is perfect, but you know what I mean), expensive, a PITA and liable to be stolen.

Janeinthemiddle · 01/08/2017 20:11

Shoesie I've had a central heating (electric) in a new built apartment but never used once as the apartment was well built and it's always warm even if it was really cold (-10celcius in 2010) and now I live in a standard ex council house, mid terrace, and I find those small portable oil filled radiator sufficient to keep the house warm.

I suppose if your property is old Victorian house (they're known to be quite draft-y) then maybe a better heating solution should be in place?

Maybe I'm doing it wrong and should switch to gas to save further? To put things in perspective, I live in Yorkshire and my electric bill is less than £500 a year. No gas, no maintenance nothing. 2 people in 2 bedroom house.

Original poster
ShoesieQ · 02/08/2017 18:42

Thank you thank you thank you MNers - we ARE now getting a gas boiler - thanks to you!

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