I won't be able to heat my home..

[Ihateboris]

Due to the war in Iran, I simply cannot afford to heat my home.

I'm on heating oil, and since day 1 of the war, oil prices have risen sharply. I've just done a quick calculation, and to fill my tank today it will cost £550, the day before it all kicked off it would have cost £260. I'm just hoping and praying we have a mild winter. 🙏 Just venting.

I think you need to work out how much it costs you to heat your home first and then compare with other options?

I'm not being awkward, but it's so difficult to estimate. It depends how cold autumn and winter are. It doesn't help that it can take hours to warm my home as it's a very old building with sash windows and high ceilings. The landlord won't spend any money on his properties to make them more efficient. I've looked into moving but there are no affordable homes in my area (where my work is).

Ok… how much did you use last year and in 2024?

Just had a quick look at my invoices and I used 1500 between October and may. However, I was home recuperating from an operation for a month so had it on more than usual. I use oil for hot water as well as heating

how many hours did that give you approx? What about 2024?

I honestly don't know. 2924 us a moot point as I was living with and looking after my stepfather who has dementia. He's now in a care home

In any case, it's going to cost at least three times what it cost me last year. Back to work now

If you’re out of the house 8-6.30… how many hours would you typically use?

It hasn’t remotely trebled

added to which you’ll need less than last year as you won’t be recovering from an operation for a month

Again, this isn't an exact science. Not sure if you have experience living in a very old, draughty house. It takes hours to warm up. For example: if I get home at 630 and put the heating on when I walk through the door, it would take 90 minutes to go from freezing to tolerable. I feel like you're doing your best to undermine my worries. I started this thread to vent. Most posters have been lovely and have suggested many things. Please don't patronize me

Have you googled for heating oil bulk buys in your area ?

Rather than buy yourself, there should be a cheaper communal price

The price goes up & down

I am not patronising you, how odd.

I am trying to encourage you to establish how much you use and then you can work out cost!!!

You are under the impression it has trebled since last year.

Massively overestimating. It’s gone up 50-80% area dependent

October 2025 1500 litres would have cost £840

Today it will cost £1360

Apologies, 60% increase, not tripled.

So you see…. right there…. You now have information that will help you establish what you can afford and how much you’ll get out of it

not patronising. I have just reassured you it’s not remotely trebled for a start!

Apologies. Replies can be misconstrued. I'm just sick to death of working just to pay for Trump's ego.

Sash windows are a pain but you can make storm windows quite cheaply and then you effectively have your own double glazing. If you don't want to DIY storm windows then you can buy plastic wrap for windows very cheaply. The downside is that you can't then easily open the window without disturbing it and needing to redo. But it isn't obvious and despite being a very thin layer of plastic (like cling film) it insulated a lot. The even cheaper but less visually appealing option is cutting out a piece of bubble wrap and putting it over the whole dash window and selotaping it in place.

High ceilings are a pain though. If it was your own place you could lower them. But the only temporary landlord friendly solutions aren't that visually appealing. However, because my bedroom had high ceilings and got cold I improvised a sort of four poster bed style solution with a fabric canopy hanging down from the ceiling and covering the bed. It looked nice and also created a super cosy nest once inside.

If you find heat escapes through the walls you can put rugs up on the walls or failing that make sure larger pieces like furniture are on the outer facing walls (I mean inside obviously but on the walls that connect to the outside)

(sorry if the reply sounded patronising. I am sure you have thought of many heat saving ideas already. But I found those things really helped me.)

Not patronizing in the slightest, in fact really helpful. Thank you 😊

If you are over 55

Have you looked at moving to over 55s properties ?

Your council may have a list of private & council properties to rent (with better insulation & heating)

Yes...I turned 55 last year so I'm on the list, thank you 😊

Tried this ?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/help-with-bills-if-you-use-alternative-fuels/

Thanks 😊

If you read the whole thread you'll see that I corrected this