LPG vs Sui gas: differences, cost and when to switch
THE LPG CO. supplies LPG nationwide when the pipeline is missing, weak or cut. Sui gas is pipeline natural gas (mostly methane). LPG is propane and butane delivered in cylinders — usually dearer per unit of heat than a regulated pipeline tariff, but reliable where the line cannot serve you.
Short answer
Keep Sui gas if you have a reliable connection. Add or switch to LPG when you have no line, when winter pressure fails, or when you need gas for a shop, kitchen or workshop that the line cannot serve.
What each fuel actually is
“Sui gas” is the everyday name for natural gas from the pipeline networks run by SNGPL in the north and SSGC in the south. The gas is mostly methane. LPG is a different product: a mix of propane and butane that is liquid under moderate pressure. For the full definition see what LPG is.
LPG vs Sui gas at a glance
| Point | LPG | Sui gas (natural gas) |
|---|---|---|
| Main gas | Propane and butane | Methane |
| How it reaches you | Cylinder or tank, delivered | Underground pipeline and meter |
| Vs air | Heavier: leaks sink and collect low | Lighter: leaks rise and disperse |
| Heat per cubic metre | Much higher (roughly 2.5 to 3 times natural gas for the same volume of gas) | Lower |
| Price basis | OGRA monthly notified price per kg | Regulated utility tariff, slab based on use |
| Needs a connection | No | Yes, plus a meter and utility approval |
| Pressure | Set by the regulator, steady until the cylinder is nearly empty | Varies with line pressure and demand |
| Burner jets | Smaller jets | Larger jets |
Cost: how to compare LPG and Sui gas fairly
The fair comparison is cost per unit of heat, not cost per cylinder or per cubic metre. Natural gas is billed in units of energy (MMBTU) on most utility bills. LPG is sold by weight. One kg of LPG carries about 46 MJ of heat and one MMBTU is about 1055 MJ, so roughly 22.9 kg of LPG equals one MMBTU.
Worked example with the latest verified OGRA price
At Rs 279.34 per kg (OGRA notification effective 1 October 2026), one MMBTU of LPG heat costs about Rs 6,407 in gas alone. Look at your Sui gas bill, find the rate per MMBTU for your slab, and compare. Add delivery and cylinder terms for LPG, and add fixed charges and minimum bill for the line.
- Use the rate for your own slab on the bill, because pipeline tariffs rise with usage.
- Burner efficiency matters. A good LPG burner and a good natural gas burner both waste some heat, but the gap between them is small compared with the price gap.
- Count fixed monthly charges and any minimum bill on the pipeline side.
- Count delivery, cylinder deposit or exchange on the LPG side. See the current rate on the LPG price page.
Check today's rate on LPG price in Pakistan and the cylinder gas cost on the price of an LPG cylinder. Try the LPG vs Sui gas cost calculator.
When LPG makes more sense than Sui gas
- You have no pipeline connection, or the waiting time for one is long.
- Pressure is too low in winter to cook or heat properly.
- You rent and cannot get a line approved.
- You run a shop, tea stall, kitchen or workshop that needs a steady burner.
- You want a backup for load-shedding of gas.
- You need a geyser or heater in a location the line does not reach.
When to stay on Sui gas
- You already have a reliable connection and enough pressure all year.
- Your use is high and your slab tariff is still lower than the LPG heat cost above.
- You do not have a safe, ventilated place to keep a cylinder.
Switching checklist: moving a kitchen from Sui gas to LPG
- Confirm your stove, heater or geyser can be converted. The maker's label or manual says which gas it was built for.
- Have the burner jets changed to the LPG size by a qualified person. Do not enlarge or drill jets.
- Fit an LPG regulator and a hose made for LPG. See LPG regulators.
- Choose a ventilated spot for the cylinder, upright, outside the kitchen if you can. See LPG safety.
- Check every connection with soapy water. Never use a flame.
- Disconnect the old natural gas hose and cap the old line. Never join the two systems.
- Work out cylinder size and how long it will last with the cylinder duration calculator.
Do not mix the two systems
Safety
Never connect an LPG cylinder to a natural gas line, and never run an unconverted natural gas appliance on LPG. The pressure and burner design are different. A wrong connection can cause leaks, yellow flames and carbon monoxide.
Getting LPG from a licensed nationwide supplier
THE LPG CO. is an OGRA-licensed LPG marketer and distributor (licence 09024041999), operating since 1999 from Office #99, Service Road, Sector G-12, Islamabad, Pakistan. We are a full-service LPG company for Pakistan: residential and commercial cylinders, bulk and industrial supply, and engineering (pipelines, manifolds, tanks, conversions) through a nationwide distributor network — trusted, certified-cylinder supply with delivery confirmed to your street. Cylinder deposit applies when you take a new empty or filled cylinder into your custody; amount confirmed for your size and city before you agree. To start, see a new LPG connection, choose a size on LPG cylinders, read how ordering works, or order LPG. Call or WhatsApp +92 306 9701659.
Frequently asked questions
Is LPG the same as Sui gas?
No. Sui gas is pipeline natural gas, mostly methane, and it is lighter than air. LPG is propane and butane, supplied in cylinders or tanks, and it is heavier than air. They need different burner settings and different safety habits.
Can I run my Sui gas stove on LPG?
Not without conversion. LPG needs a smaller burner jet and a regulator, because it carries more energy per cubic metre than natural gas and runs at a different pressure. Have a qualified person fit the right jets. Do not drill or swap parts yourself.
Is LPG cheaper than Sui gas?
Usually not per unit of heat when you hold a normal domestic pipeline connection, because pipeline tariffs are regulated and lower than cylinder gas. LPG makes sense where there is no connection, where pressure is too low in winter, or where supply is cut. Use the worked method on this page with your own bill.
Why do people switch to LPG in winter?
Pipeline pressure often falls in cold months when demand rises, and some areas get little or no gas for cooking or heating. LPG from a cylinder does not depend on line pressure, so it works as a backup or main fuel.
Can I keep both Sui gas and LPG at home?
Yes, but keep the two systems separate: separate hoses, separate regulators, and never connect a cylinder into a natural gas line. Ask a qualified installer to set up dual fuel appliances or a changeover.
Which is safer, LPG or Sui gas?
Both are safe when installed and used correctly, and both can cause fire or explosion when they leak. The difference is behaviour: natural gas rises and disperses, while LPG sinks and collects low, so ventilation at floor level matters more with LPG.
How fast can I get an LPG cylinder as backup?
Delivery through our nationwide distributor network across Pakistan. Target in covered city areas: about one hour when a local team is available; otherwise the distributor contacts you personally to confirm the window. We confirm your street and timing before you agree. THE LPG CO. confirms price and timing before you agree. Call or WhatsApp +92 306 9701659.
Where can I compare cost with a calculator?
Use our LPG vs Sui gas cost calculator for a rough heat-cost comparison, then check the live OGRA rate on the LPG price page.