Liquid Gas Ireland case study: Gillian and Mick Hillman, Duleek, County Meath

Following the recent renovation of their 1930s cottage in Duleek, County Meath, Gillian and Mick Hillman decided to replace their old oil-fired heating system with a modern, high efficiency liquid gas system. As part of the renovation, they insulated the walls, upgraded the windows, and installed underfloor heating – transforming the property into a much more energy efficient home.

“We were using oil combined with a solid fuel stove to heat the house, but we wanted something more modern,” says Mick.

“Our local plumber recommended liquid gas, and it’s been great from the moment we put it in.” Since improving the insulation, the Hillmans rarely need to switch on the heating – making their running costs far more economical. They also appreciate the convenience of liquid gas.

“It’s much cleaner, and our tank is automatically refilled by our local supplier whenever it runs low,” adds Gillian. When weighing up their options, they considered installing a heat pump.

“It wasn’t going to be economical for us and would have been more expensive than the gas boiler. With the underfloor heating we were putting in, liquid gas was more efficient. Oil or solid fuel just weren’t options we wanted to return to, so liquid gas was the logical choice.” Switching to a renewable liquid gas blend has made heating both easier and more effective.

“The heat is practically instantaneous, and each room is individually controlled,” says Mick. “With oil, it took so long to heat the house, but now it’s worry-free. It’s a lovely warm home.”

Looking to the future, the Hillmans plan to expand their use of renewable energy. “We’d like to increase our renewable liquid gas blend to further reduce our carbon footprint, and we’ve pre-wired the house for solar panels, which we’ll install next year. Taking a step-by-step approach has made it much more affordable.”

They were also pleasantly surprised at how straightforward the switch to liquid gas was. “We never thought gas was even possible for us because we’re not on the natural gas grid. But the tank was simply installed on a concrete base in the garden, and suddenly it was so accessible.”

“It would be great to see the Government provide clearer information on the different pathways available to make homes more energy efficient – including how liquid gas can be a viable option for rural households when combined with upgrades such as insulation. This should go hand in hand with more accessible grants. At the moment, there simply isn’t enough information available on gas as a lower-carbon and renewable energy option for homeowners.”

Gillian and Mick Hillman
Homeowners, Duleek, County Meath