Heating with natural, liquid, or green gas

Intro

The difference between natural gas, LNG and LPG

Matching the right fuel to your energy needs.

Natural gas is a naturally occurring, combustible gas mixture primarily composed of methane, extracted from underground reservoirs and distributed through a vast network of pipelines for heating. When cooled to temperatures below -160°C, it becomes liquefied natural gas (LNG), drastically reducing its volume by 600 times, making storage and transport more efficient. LNG is transported across regions via tankers, where it can be distributed by rail or converted back to gas at LNG terminals. This efficient transport method allows LNG to be utilised in areas far from traditional gas pipelines.

Meanwhile, LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, consists of propane and butane, liquefied under lower pressure for compact transport and storage. LPG is a crucial energy source, especially in rural areas where households are not connected to natural gas networks, with the heating fuel being delivered by tankers. It is stored in special tanks that can be installed above or below ground on private property. This non-toxic, low-pollutant fuel is produced during the extraction and processing of crude oil, natural gas, and shale gas, making it suitable for use in water and nature conservation areas.

What are green gases?

Powering the future with nature's fuel.

Having distinguished the various types of gases, let's turn our attention to green gases. These gases are produced from renewable energy sources, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Their combustion is nearly climate-neutral, as they release no more CO₂ than was previously absorbed from the atmosphere, making them instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate targets. The best-known green gases include hydrogen, biogas, bio natural gas (also known as bio methane) and bio liquefied petroleum gas.

Hydrogen
Biogas
Bio (liquified) natural gas
Bio liquified petrolium gas

Hydrogen: an opportunity for the future.

Hydrogen is becoming an essential energy source in heating technology, with its importance steadily rising. Power-to-gas technology uses surplus green electricity from solar or wind to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, which is then added to the natural gas grid. This process allows for the storage of unused green electricity. While hydrogen can currently be mixed with natural gas for heating, the transition to 100% hydrogen depends on successful test projects, gas network operator commitment, and political developments. The EU plans to increase hydrogen in natural gas to 20% over the next 15 years. Encouragingly, our modern gas condensing boilers like the or are designed to be adaptable for using 100% hydrogen, supporting the shift towards cleaner heating solutions.

Biogas: turning waste into watts.

Biogas is produced from organic materials such as energy crops like maize, rapeseed, and cereals, as well as liquid manure, wood, and kitchen waste. It is primarily converted into methane (50-75%) and carbon dioxide (25-45%). Biogas can be utilised in various ways, such as in combined heat and power (CHP) plants, where it is converted into electricity and heat directly at the point of origin. Farmers often use the generated heat to warm the fermenter, with any excess sold to local customers or fed into local heating systems. Additionally, biogas can be refined into bio natural gas and injected into the natural gas grid or supplied in liquefied form to biogas refuelling stations.

Bio natural gas: taking biogas to the next level.

Bio natural gas, or biomethane, is a refined form of biogas that mirrors the properties of conventional natural gas. Through purification, the original biogas sheds carbon dioxide, water, sulphur compounds, and other impurities to reach a methane content of around 98%. This high-quality biomethane integrates seamlessly into the natural gas network and works even with our gas boilers for efficient heating. Its versatility extends to electricity generation and as fuel for natural gas vehicles. While production costs are higher, biomethane excels in combined heat and power (CHP) plants, delivering efficient energy. Bio-LNG, the liquefied form of biomethane, expands application possibilities with its flexible transportability.

Bio-LPG: delivering climate-neutral fuel wherever it's needed.

Bio-liquefied petroleum gas (Bio-LPG) is a climate-neutral fuel composed of at least 95% propane and up to 5% butane, with a methanol content of no more than 0.1% and a sulphur content capped at 50 mg/kg. Produced as a by-product of biodiesel from organic residues and renewable resources like hydriated vegetable oils (HVO), Bio-LPG is emissions-efficient and serves as a flexible, decentralised energy source in rural areas without access to the natural gas network. Seamlessly integrating with conventional LPG systems, Bio-LPG requires no technical adjustments, allowing users to contribute effortlessly to the energy transition. Its compatibility extends to our gas appliances, which can operate smoothly with up to 100% Bio-LPG, offering a sustainable choice for those committed to reducing their carbon footprint.

Benefits of heating with green gas

Driving the energy transition in heating.

The use of green gases in heating appliances, such as our gas condensing boiler, supports the energy transition. Explore how these gases contribute to a more sustainable heating market.

Decarbonising heating step by step.
Green gases gradually replace fossil fuels in heating systems, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions and supporting climate goals, contributing to a cleaner energy future.
Storing energy with flexible solutions.
Green gases store surplus renewable energy, crucial for fluctuating production. They enable heating systems to act as energy storage, enhancing supply security.
Integrating seamlessly with existing systems.
Green gases can be fed into current natural gas networks, facilitating a sustainable energy transition without the need for extensive new infrastructure investments.
Pioneering innovative energy technologies.
Advancements in green gas production foster heating market innovation. Green hydrogen boilers, for example, provide efficient, emission-free heating solutions.

The future of biogas and hydrogen

Navigating the promises and challenges of green gas heating.

Heating with green gases presents both opportunities and challenges. Green gases like biogas (biomethane) and hydrogen offer a renewable, climate-neutral alternative to fossil fuels, significantly reduce CO₂ emissions when integrated into existing systems. This supports the energy transition, but there are criticisms regarding resource competition, efficiency and cost. Biogas production often competes with food production, while infrastructure for green hydrogen is still developing. In addition, hydrogen heating systems are less efficient than other climate-friendly options like heat pumps, making them costly.

Despite these challenges, the future of green gases in heating looks promising. Investments in biogas and biomethane production are set to grow, with plans to increase output significantly by 2040, potentially covering a substantial portion of EU gas demand. To fully realize their potential, supportive policies and infrastructure development are essential, ensuring green gases can effectively complement other renewable sources. Continued investment and innovation will be key to unlocking the full potential of green gas heating for a sustainable future.

Looking for a future-proof gas heating solution?

Get your quote

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? We have the answers.

Why don't we heat with biogas?

It is already possible to heat with bio natural gas and the first gas suppliers are offering corresponding contracts. Bio natural gas is processed biogas that has the same properties as natural gas and is obtained from renewable raw materials. Availability is currently still low, as the existing infrastructure is currently designed for natural gas. From 2029, however, new gas heating systems will have to be operated with increasing proportions of renewable energy, which could promote the use of bio natural gas. All our gas appliances can run on up to 100% bio natural gas and 100% bio liquefied natural gas.

How do I get biogas into the house?

How long can you continue to heat with LPG?

There are currently no fixed legal requirements that prohibit heating with LPG. However, the use of fossil fuels will be increasingly restricted in the coming years due to climate protection measures and increasing requirements for renewable energies. From 2029, for example, new gas heating systems will have to run on 15% renewable energy, such as bio-liquefied petroleum gas. All our gas appliances can work with up to 100% bio-liquid gas.

Can I convert my heating system from natural gas to LPG?

Which gases are green?

Green gases are renewable energy sources that are produced in an environmentally friendly way. These include biogas, bio natural gas (processed biogas) and green hydrogen, which is obtained from renewable sources such as wind or solar energy. These gases help to reduce CO₂ emissions and thus support the energy transition. All our gas appliances are suitable for operation with up to 100% bio natural gas and 100% bio liquid gas, and the latest generation of gas condensing boilers* can even be converted to run on 100% green hydrogen.

*Applies to all and produced from 01.01.2024 onwards

Dive deeper into efficient heating.

Middle-aged couple in front of heat pump in front of house

A closer look at heating with natural, liquid or green gas.