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.

Sorry you’re in this difficult situation. Can you afford a small dehumidifier? I realise these require powering (but with electricity so hopefully much cheaper) but if you’re limiting your heating usage you may be at risk of damp and mould.

Yes, I do actually have a dehumidifier which I bought years ago for allergies! Thanks for the suggestion

@Satmod just to echo @Ihateboris answers in price.

Here’s what I wrote the other day:

”When the fuck will this end 😡 I paid 95p a litre a few weeks ago. Today it seems around 118. The difference about 24% and about £115 more for 500 litres. Just like that.”

This is exactly what it’s like. Every month or so in winter. You can’t just top up your tank yourself like going to the garage if prices are good. Prices fluctuate daily. Most companies only do 500 litres minimum. Also you can’t let your tank get too low as it sucks up all the shit and you can damage the tank.

I really think people who don't use oil think we're exaggerating about the increases. Do you?

I think people who don’t use oil , think that it’s treated like gas and electric , subject to caps , not influenced immediately by sudden decisons and geographical problems across the globe . What they should really compare it to , is petrol prices., which are subject to similar fluctuations . The cost of filling my car up went up by 7p a litre just this week . I wanted to do my September order for oil this week , and rang them to find it was the best part of £625 for 500l , which is still the minimum order . I admit , I pay for the premium ( which is basically a bottle of additive , but it seems to make the oil last a lot longer than normal ) but it still made me pause . And buying the minimum amount is the most expensive way to, because the price drops the more you buy .

Tbf you have exaggerated at points and admitted a such! In one post * it's going to cost at least three times what it cost me last year*
and then a couple of posts later you said actually you’d got your sums wrong and it was 60% increase

Yes, I accept that I initially got my sums wrong. However, that being said, it's still a shit show, caused in part by The Orange Fart, who won't be affected at all by the increases.

Yes I do, but if I’m honest, until I lived somewhere with oil heating I wouldn’t have known either. I don’t have mains water either (my water is therefore free but it means if there’s a leak or something you have to fix it yourself) and I think some people are surprised that many people are still reliant on private water supplies. I also think because heating oil users aren’t the majority we get a bit overlooked.

I agree. I also use the additive but I don’t think it adds a huge amount.

Yes, you're absolutely correct. We are certainly forgotten about.

And it's a double whammy if we are reliant on a car AND use heating oil.

And if you run out you get an airlock - and good luck getting someone out to sort out your system! They can usually fit you in in about three months... (that happened to me). I moved house and now have electric radiators and I've never been more delighted.

And buying the minimum amount is the most expensive way to, because the price drops the more you buy.

Well I've learned something today then. I assumed the price per litre was the same regardless of how much I order. I usually order 500l as soon as my tank gets to half full (1000l tank) as I worry about running out if there are supply issues etc. But maybe I should wait until I can fit 700l in, see if it works out cheaper.

Oh if I ever move there’s no way I will be on oil, and I will appreciate the alternatives all the more as you are 😊

Are you in debt @Ihateboris ?

Not in debt, but don't have a good credit score unfortunately.

If you have zero debt, then you will certainly be able to take out a credit card with 0% interest for an extended period.

I'm absolutely positive. I had a few missed payments and they can remain on my history for 6 years. I recently applied for a credit card and was turned down.

OP don't use an electric heater if you can help it, they are very inefficient and expensive. If you heat electrically it's better to get an electric blanket.

I am debating getting one for when I'm working from home and I did the maths on it, the one I have my eye on draws 100w so for a 8 hour working day it's 0.8kwh. Compared to how much gas it would use to get to a comfortable level using the central heating system it is an absolute steal.

Shop around
zero debt and in steady employment, I can promise you that you will find a CC with a mainstream bank

Maybe with just a £500 limit to start with! But that would be enough

But if I make more applications, won't it have an adverse affect on my already poor credit rating?

What you do is go into your bank and ask to speak with someone. They will be able to give you an idea. But I would be gov smacked if someone with zero debt and in steady employment with no dependents wasn’t given at least a £500 limit cc

I don’t think enough people consider the running costs on the houses they purchase.
Single glazing is an obvious issue, and a lot of people see that, but they don’t seem to realize how poorly insulated solid walls are, or the oil fired heating costs. Not to mention maintenance on a 130 year old house.
People are living like they did 100 years ago with advice on heating only one room, get an electric blanket, sit under a quilt, wear woolly slippers and a wool hat indoors.
It’s no wonder new builds are so popular with their great insulation and running costs.