Understand your heating options before choosing a boiler or heater. Explore mains gas, oil, LPG and electric heating, plus dedicated hot-water and storage heaters.
We start with the property, the available supply and your household’s heating and hot-water needs. Your survey and written quote then set out the equipment, work and controls that suit the proposed installation.
Gas, oil, LPG and electricity are energy sources. A boiler, room heater or water heater is equipment. First decide how your rooms and hot water will be supplied, then compare the suitable equipment.
A connected supply, without fuel deliveries
Mains gas heating
Illustrative arrangement; the final equipment and connections depend on survey.
How it works
A gas boiler heats water for radiators or wet underfloor heating. A combi also heats tap water on demand; system and heat-only boilers generally work with a separate hot-water cylinder.
When it may suit your home
A home with an existing mains gas connection and a water-based heating system.
What we check at survey
Gas supply and pipe sizing, hot-water demand, radiator condition, boiler position, flue route and condensate drainage.
What affects the quote
Boiler and controls, any gas-pipe upgrade, flue changes, system cleaning and making good.
Illustrative arrangement; the final equipment and connections depend on survey.
How it works
An oil boiler uses fuel delivered to a tank at the property. It can supply a water-based central-heating system and, depending on the arrangement, heat a hot-water cylinder.
When it may suit your home
An off-gas home with suitable tank space and access for deliveries.
What we check at survey
Tank condition and location, delivery access, fuel line, boiler position, flue, drainage and the existing heating system.
What affects the quote
Whether the tank can remain, fuel-line work, boiler access, flue components and any cylinder or control changes.
Illustrative arrangement; the final equipment and connections depend on survey.
How it works
LPG is stored in a suitable bulk tank or cylinder arrangement and delivered by a supplier. The boiler must be approved and correctly configured for LPG; a mains-gas appliance is not automatically suitable.
When it may suit your home
An off-gas property where an LPG storage and delivery arrangement is practical.
What we check at survey
Storage location, supplier arrangements, delivery access, gas pipework, appliance compatibility and heating and hot-water demand.
What affects the quote
Storage or supplier work, pipe routes, the chosen appliance, flue and associated system changes.
Illustrative arrangement; the final equipment and connections depend on survey.
How it works
An electric boiler heats water for radiators or wet underfloor heating. Direct electric radiators and panel heaters warm individual rooms. These arrangements have different wiring, controls and hot-water needs.
When it may suit your home
A property where electrical capacity, insulation, household routine and tariff make the proposed system suitable.
What we check at survey
Electrical supply capacity, circuits, room heat loss, controls, hot-water provision and the actual electricity tariff.
What affects the quote
Supply or circuit upgrades, appliance sizing, radiator work, controls and a separate hot-water solution if required.
Plan taps and showers separately from room heating
Hot-water heaters
Illustrative arrangement; the final equipment and connections depend on survey.
How it works
A dedicated water heater supplies hot water to taps and showers. Options include stored-water heaters, cylinders with immersion heating and suitable instantaneous appliances. Room heating needs its own arrangement.
When it may suit your home
A home that needs a dedicated hot-water solution, or a change to an existing cylinder or water heater.
What we check at survey
Occupants, baths and showers, simultaneous demand, incoming flow and pressure, storage space and electrical supply.
What affects the quote
Storage capacity, pipework, electrical provision, safety components, access and removal of the existing equipment.
Illustrative arrangement; the final equipment and connections depend on survey.
How it works
Storage heaters use electricity to heat an internal core and release warmth later. They are commonly paired with an off-peak tariff. Modern high heat retention models provide better insulation and control than older designs.
When it may suit your home
A home with suitable circuits and a tariff and daily routine that fit stored room heating.
What we check at survey
Room heat loss, heater location, wiring, meter arrangements, tariff periods and whether existing controls remain suitable.
What affects the quote
Heater number and size, electrical changes, controls, fixing and removal of old heaters.
Boiler type, hot-water demand, existing radiators and controls.
No mains gas connection
Oil or LPG storage and deliveries; electrical capacity and alternative heating options.
Electric room heating
Room-by-room heat demand, insulation, controls, tariff and separate hot water.
Several baths or showers
Flow and pressure, simultaneous use, storage capacity and recovery time.
Changing fuel or system
The complete conversion, including supply, pipework, controls and removal work.
From your enquiry to a clear written quote
01
Tell us what you have
Send your postcode, current fuel, boiler or heater details and what you want to improve. Photos and recent energy use help us understand the starting point.
02
Check the whole home
We confirm service availability and the appropriate survey. Supply, heat loss, hot-water demand, space, access and existing equipment guide the proposal.
03
Agree the exact scope
Your quote identifies the selected equipment, installation, controls, testing and any included disposal or making good. Extras and exclusions are stated separately.
Compare the complete cost
Look at installation, energy use, tariff and standing charges, servicing, fuel delivery and any supply or storage upgrades. Insulation, controls and your daily routine also affect the result. We do not promise a fixed saving from changing fuel alone.
Heating and fuel questions
Can I switch from oil or LPG to another heating system?
It may be possible, but the whole installation needs assessing. Supply capacity, heat loss, radiators, cylinder, controls, storage removal and access can all affect the work. Ask for the conversion scope and exclusions in writing.
Is electric heating the same as a heat pump?
No. An electric boiler or resistance heater converts electricity directly into heat. A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from the outside air or ground. Compare suitability, installation and running costs separately; ask which options MPH can provide in your area.
Which option is cheapest to run?
There is no universal answer. The result depends on your property’s heat demand, equipment, controls, tariff and fuel prices. Compare the complete annual cost using your own energy use rather than a headline appliance price.
Can I keep my radiators?
Sometimes. Their condition, output, pipework and suitability for the proposed system must be checked. Keeping radiators is not a guarantee that the rest of a conversion is a straight swap.
Will a water heater heat my rooms as well?
A dedicated hot-water heater normally serves taps and showers. Your proposal must separately explain how the rooms will be heated. Do not assume a cylinder or water heater replaces the complete central-heating system.
Do storage heaters need a special tariff?
An appropriate off-peak tariff is normally central to the proposed arrangement. Confirm actual charging periods and rates with your supplier, together with the meter and wiring requirements. Boost heating can use a different rate.
Can I have Hive with any of these systems?
Compatibility depends on the equipment and wiring. A boiler thermostat does not automatically control electric room or storage heaters. Any eligible Hive kit, installation and promotional discount must appear in the written quotation.
Let’s find the right starting point
Tell us your postcode, current system and what you would like to change. We will confirm the next step and the options available for your property.
