If you have just bought your new home and it has propane or butane for heating, but you don't know how it works, don't worry.
Here is everything you need to know about these two LPG energies.
Butane gas. What it is, characteristics and cost
Butane gas is a non-renewable energy that is sold stored in cylinders. It is obtained by refining petroleum and can be used for cooking, heating or boiling in a building.
It is one of the heat energies that provide a higher yield due to its high calorific value, i.e. it needs to consume less fuel to obtain the same amount of heat than other sources.
The price of a cylinder of butane varies depending on the market where it is purchased:
- The regulated ones are 12.5 kg cylinders, the cost of which changes every two months according to the BOE.
- Light cylinders belong to the free market and their cost depends on the supplying company: Repsol or Cepsa.
| Regulated | 12,5 kg | 16,79 € | |
| Repsol | Slight | 12 kg | 22,70 € |
| K6 | 6 kg | 23,50 € | |
| Cepsa | Slight | 12,5 kg | 16,79 – 20,66 € |
Propane gas. What it is, types and cost
Propane gas is obtained from oil and natural gas fields and transformed into a liquid that is distributed for domestic or industrial use.
It is much more efficient and economical than other energy sources, such as electricity or oil, so it is often used in heating, cooking and hot water systems in homes, businesses and even industry. It is mainly used in areas with cold climates, as it gasifies better and its freezing temperature can withstand temperatures as low as -44ºC.
We can find three different situations in our new home:
Single deposit
The propane in bulk consists of a 3 metre above ground or 1.5 metre underground tank, and is refilled by tanker trucks.
The cost can vary depending on the propane distributor, but to get an idea, it is usually between €1500 and €2500 per tonne of liquid.
Propane cylinder
The packaged propane is available in 11 kg and 30 kg cylinders, which are the most common, although there are different sizes depending on the distribution company. It is ideal for buildings with low consumption and limited space.
Its cost varies according to the market where it is purchased, as does the cost of the butane cylinder:
- The 11 kg bottle is regulated by the government and is currently 14.78 €.
- Outside this range, the price is set by the retailer. To give you an idea, the 35 kg can be found from 76.90 €.
Shared deposit
The piped propane is distributed through a distribution network that connects the different buildings to a central storage tank, and is common in very cold areas where natural gas is not available.
Its cost is fixed by the State, because its consumption is recurrent and consumption exceeds one tonne. At present, it is priced at €1.60 per month for a fixed part, and €0.85/kg for consumption.
Finally, if your new home has a previous propane supply, it will be necessary to change the holder of the supply policy by calling the distribution company. You can then buy the cylinder at the LPG filling station or order the supply by telephone or online.