If you’ve been wondering why your LPG boiler is using more gas than usual, there are several possible explanations. Colder weather, increased hot water demand, thermostat settings, heat loss, boiler efficiency issues and changes in LPG tank gauge readings can all contribute to how quickly you use your LPG.
In many cases, higher usage is a normal response to seasonal changes or changes in how your property is being used, rather than a problem with your LPG supply.
Whether you use LPG to heat your home, provide hot water for guests, keep livestock buildings warm, power manufacturing processes, or support the day-to-day running of your business, an unexpected increase in consumption can understandably cause concern.
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the most common reasons why LPG consumption increases, explain what your tank gauge reading means, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about LPG usage.
Why am I using more LPG than usual?
The most common reasons for higher LPG usage are cooler weather, increased heating or hot water demand, changes in occupancy, higher thermostat settings, heat loss and boiler or appliance efficiency issues. A change in your LPG tank gauge reading can also make it appear as though you've used more gas than you actually have.
Commercial customers, for instance, may notice higher consumption because of longer operating hours, changes in shift patterns, extended opening times, or increased demand. Even a small increase in demand across a larger site can have a big effect on overall consumption.
Colder weather
Cold weather is the most common reason for increased LPG consumption.
As the weather becomes colder, your heating system needs to run for longer to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. The greater the difference between the temperature inside and outside the building, the more fuel is required to keep the property warm.
You may see a greater increase in:
- Older properties
- Large homes
- Farm buildings
- Workshops and industrial units
- Care homes
- Holiday parks
- Hospitality businesses
Properties exposed to strong winds can also experience higher levels of heat loss, particularly if there are draughts around windows or doors, or if insulation is less effective than it should be.
Changes to thermostat settings
Raising your thermostat can significantly increase LPG consumption, even if the change is only one degree. According to the Energy Savings Trust, lowering your thermostat can help reduce energy consumption and heating costs. And leaving the heating on for an extra hour or two each day may not seem like much, but those changes can soon add up over the course of a month.
Increased hot water usage
LPG is often used for much more than heating alone, so changes in your routine can quickly affect how much fuel you use.
Domestic customers may notice higher consumption because of more showers or baths being taken, increased use of dishwashers or washing machines, school holidays, or visitors staying.
Commercial customers may experience higher usage because of increased customer numbers, higher occupancy rates, more cooking, cleaning and laundry, or greater seasonal demand.
This is particularly common in hotels, pubs, restaurants, caravan parks and care homes, where even relatively small changes in occupancy can result in a noticeable increase in energy usage.
More people using the property
An increase in the number of people using a property will usually mean higher fuel consumption.
For households, this might mean friends or family members staying over, children spending more time at home during school holidays, or more people working remotely.
For businesses, this could include additional employees, seasonal workers, guests and visitors, or longer working hours.
More people generally means more heating, hot water and cooking, and ultimately higher energy consumption.
Heat loss and insulation
If warm air is escaping from your property, your heating system will need to work much harder to maintain the desired temperature.
Common causes include inadequate loft insulation, draughty windows and doors, poorly insulated pipework, gaps around floors and skirting boards, older heating systems, and damaged seals or insulation materials.
For commercial premises, factors such as loading bays, doors being repeatedly opened, having high ceilings and large internal spaces can all contribute to increased LPG usage.
Even the most efficient boiler needs to produce more heat when that valuable heat is escaping from the building, which is why improving insulation is often one of the most effective ways of reducing energy consumption.
Can an inefficient boiler increase LPG consumption?
An older, inefficient or poorly maintained boiler can increase LPG consumption because it may need more fuel to produce the same level of heating and hot water. Over time, wear and tear, ageing components, and a lack of regular servicing can all affect a boiler's efficiency.
Even relatively small changes in performance can lead to increased fuel consumption. Whether you’re heating your home, supplying hot water to guests or running commercial equipment, an inefficient system may use more LPG to deliver the same level of performance.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that a boiler is nearing the end of its life. In many cases, routine maintenance and servicing can help restore performance, improve efficiency and identify potential problems before they become more serious.
Regular servicing plays an important role in keeping your system operating safely, reliably and efficiently. Routine inspections can identify worn or faulty components, while regular maintenance can help prevent minor issues from developing into more disruptive and expensive repairs.
If your boiler is using noticeably more LPG than usual, particularly when your heating and hot water requirements haven't changed, it's worth having the system checked by a suitably qualified engineer.
Can appliance faults increase LPG consumption?
Yes. A fault with your boiler, heating controls or other LPG-powered equipment can cause the system to operate less efficiently and use more fuel than necessary.
For homeowners, potential causes include:
- Faulty thermostats or temperature sensors
- Problems with timers or programmers
- Sticking valves
- Issues with hot water cylinders
- Faults affecting boiler controls or components
- Other faults affecting how the heating system operates
For commercial customers, the causes can be more varied and may involve space heaters, water heaters, commercial boilers, pipework, control systems or other LPG-powered equipment.
Even a relatively minor fault can affect how much LPG you use. For example, a faulty thermostat may fail to recognise when the required temperature has been reached, causing the boiler to continue running when it is no longer needed. Likewise, an incorrectly programmed timer could result in your heating running for longer than intended.
If you've noticed a sudden or unexplained increase in LPG usage alongside changes in how your boiler or heating system is behaving, such as unusual noises, inconsistent temperatures, longer running times, or hot water taking longer to heat, it's worth getting the system checked.
If you suspect that a fault is affecting your LPG usage, always contact a suitably qualified engineer rather than attempting to diagnose or repair the appliance yourself.
Can an LPG tank gauge make it look like I'm using more gas?
A sudden drop in your LPG tank gauge does not always mean you’ve used more gas than usual.
Temperature changes can affect the gauge reading because LPG expands when warmer and contracts when cooler. As a result, a change in the gauge reading does not necessarily mean you have used an equivalent amount of LPG.
It’s also important to remember that LPG tanks are only ever filled to a maximum of 85% capacity. This allows space for the fuel to expand safely as temperatures rise.
Key takeaways
- Colder weather is one of the most common reasons for increased LPG usage
- Higher heating and hot water demand can quickly increase consumption
- More people using a property generally means greater LPG demand
- Poor insulation and heat loss can make your heating system less efficient
- Boiler and appliance faults can increase fuel consumption
- Changes in temperature can affect LPG tank gauge readings
- Regular boiler servicing can help maintain safe and efficient operation
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I using more LPG than usual?
The most common reasons for using more LPG are colder weather, increased heating use, higher hot water demand, changes in occupancy, heat loss, and boiler efficiency issues. In some cases, what appears to be increased usage is simply a change in your tank gauge reading.
Does cold weather increase LPG usage?
Yes. As temperatures fall, your heating system needs to work harder and run for longer to maintain a comfortable temperature. This is especially noticeable in older properties, larger buildings, and poorly insulated homes and business premises.
Can a boiler fault make me use more LPG?
Yes. Boiler faults can cause your heating system to operate less efficiently, leading to higher LPG usage. Common causes include faulty valves, blocked components, worn parts and problems with heating controls.
Can a faulty thermostat increase LPG consumption?
Yes. If a thermostat is not working correctly, it may fail to recognise when the required temperature has been reached. This can cause the boiler to continue running unnecessarily, resulting in higher LPG usage.
Does LPG use increase in winter?
Yes. LPG usage will often increase during winter because colder temperatures mean your heating system needs to provide more heat to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. The increase will depend on factors such as the size of your property, how well it's insulated, your thermostat settings, how long you have your heating running, and how much hot water you use.
Why does my LPG tank gauge seem to drop so quickly?
Your LPG tank gauge provides an estimate rather than an exact measure. Changes in temperature can affect the reading because LPG expands in warmer conditions and contracts when temperatures fall. This can sometimes make it appear as though more gas has been used than is actually the case.
How can I reduce my LPG usage?
You can improve efficiency by lowering your thermostat slightly, reducing heat loss, servicing your boiler regularly and making effective use of timers and heating controls. Improving insulation can also help to reduce fuel consumption.
How often should an LPG boiler be serviced?
As a general rule, LPG boilers should be serviced annually by a registered Gas Safe engineer. Regular servicing helps to maintain efficiency, identify potential problems early, prolong your boiler's lifespan, protect your family from carbon monoxide, and keep your heating system operating safely, efficiently and reliably.
When should I contact Northern Energy about high LPG usage?
If you’ve worked through all these checks and you’re still concerned about your LPG usage, our friendly and helpful team will be happy to help.
An increase in consumption doesn’t always indicate a problem, but if you’ve noticed an unexplained change in your usage, unusually low tank levels, unexpected changes to your gauge reading or have concerns about your boiler or heating system, it’s always worth getting in touch.
We’ll help you work out what might be affecting your consumption and determine whether there’s a straightforward explanation.
After all, whether you’re heating a home, running a farm, or supporting day-to-day business operations, the last thing you need is to worry about your fuel supply.
At Northern Energy, we’re real people at the end of the phone, and always here when you need us. Call us on 01423 772 789.