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 dont understand this, we moved from a newbuild with gsh to an older home with oil and the heating costs over the year are virtually the same. We did do the windows on our cottage, which must have helped, but still not the massive difference some seem to expect. I think part of the problem (not the ops) is that many people are getting used to it being overly heated, which isn't always healthy.

I think Martin Lewis has a tool where you inout your details and it does a soft check to see if you’re likely to be accepted. It doesn’t store on your credit file until you select one you’re accepted for.

Yes but Things can change though, especially over a long time. When I first moved here we had solid fuel central heating on an aga type thing. Now that was inefficient and dirty. When we came to replace it, we were advised the best would be by oil, taking into account the type of house, climate, etc. Oil was cheap then. I did know things like heating and maintenance would cost more, also things like zero public transport so absolute reliance on a decent car. But the more recent fuel cost hikes are nothing like previous, normal, fluctuations. Next house will definitely be a new build though hopefully with renewable energy that works!!!

The other thing people forget is that the climate difference between north Scotland and south England is real and you can’t really compare. That’s not me dismissing being cold in the south of England, it’s just a fact. For example because I didn’t use my heating as I would normally do over “summer” (so called as I thought was crap this year) normally it’s used for a wee boost or short time at any month of the year. This year I was saving up for winter ahead.

A few years ago 0% credit cards were much easier to get and borrowing was cheaper in general. (This caused all sorts of issues still). Now borrowing costs over the world are going up and likely to continue to do so. The age of cheap credit is over. It is still possible to get those 0% deals but they are stricter. I think people look back to what they/people they knew did in the past and try to apply it to now but the advice doesnt fit anymore. It's like a parent telling an unemployed 20 year old to just "print out their CV and walk into shops/businesses to ask if they have any jobs" or telling a 25 year old "when I was your age I had a house of my own and a mortgage".

I also don't think that getting into debt is a good solution. I do understand people sometimes have no choice so that's not a dig on people that have got into debt to pay basics. But I don't think "just take out a credit card" is great advice especially not to then go on and on about it. The reason 0% credit was/is offered was because the companies knew a large number of people would be unable to pay the loan of in time but would pay the penalties etc so they could make money. This just makes people poorer and could put people in an even worse position next year since in addition to heating costs they are now paying back a high interest credit card.

@Ihateboris

as @doveinitial mentioned this is the eligibility calculator

I think people don’t understand how difficult the fluctuations can be. Most people I know with oil heating save during summer in order to buy at least their first tank of oil in early autumn, when the prices are typically lower.

I’ve just found my receipt from late June 2025 ( a bit earlier than usual), and I paid 52.75p per litre ( plus of course VAT at 5%).

Today heating oil via your NRG, who are normally fairly competitive, costs is a minimum of 112p.

The difference between £277.49 and £586.69 is really significant.

Some of us were lucky enough to have saved earlier in the year, and I was able to take advantage of an exceptional dip in prices and got some for 65.6p per litre several weeks ago. It was a temporary drop, which lasted a matter of days before climbing again.

Many people aren’t able to do this and can’t buy oil until they have saved enough for the minimum delivery.

It is, and always has been, possible to buy smaller quantities but the price per litre jumps so drastically it’s rarely worth it.

I don’t think the OP should be taking out loans. If she can’t afford a lump sum payment for heating oil now then how will she do so in future with an even lower net income once she takes off loan repayments?

Electric heating is very efficient for heating one room, albeit expensive.

A smart meter would be helpful to monitor usage.

Who did you buy from last year @LumpyandBumps

and both those figures include VAT?

June 2025 my price was 68p a litre

June 2026 was 84p a litre

The oil club quoted me £1.14 this weekend

I always buy from Your NRG. The total prices include VAT. The litre prices are before VAT.

Boiler juice have quoted me £596 for 500L today. It was £268 last September. I could cry 😢

Boilerjuce don't charge for using their monthly payment plan but its for payment in advance not credit, so won't help this time OP but maybe in future. Also you mentioned that your tank had run dry - do you know how to draw it through again? Usually you can't just top up and hope it works.

https://www.dunelm.com/product/teddy-qcover-set-dbl-blush-1000170318?defaultSkuId=30906693

Op, I feel your pain because the increase in cost of living is crippling at the moment isn’t it. There have been lots of good tips on this thread that will hopefully help you and others that are trying to keep costs and heat usage down this winter. I can really recommend the ‘teddy’ duvet covers, bedsheets and pillow cases to warm the bed up if you don’t want to use a heated blanket. They really help in the winter months keep me snug and warm and they also stop the ‘sheet shock’ you can get when climbing into bed with cold, cotton sheets. I’ve got these sets for everyone in the family and they make a huge difference a night.

Ooooo...brilliant. thanks so much 🙏

& they're quick to dry too. I thought they'd be thick & heavy & a bit of a nightmare, but they're not at all, mine we're from Tesco when they had a special on, but I imagine they are all much the same. I also thought they might feel a bit gross as I generally like plain white high-quality cotton sheets.

And as the other poster said they are much nicer to get into!!

You have no debt, no dependents and in full time work. I promise you that you’ll be able to get a CC. But you have to be proactive. If you want to stop having to boil your kettle to have to wash yourself - then sort out a 0% CC with a mere £500 limit

Did you manage to secure a credit card @Ihateboris ?

Unfortunately not...My outgoings are too high 😕

Did you shop around? Someone who has zero debt, full time steady work and no dependents - I can’t fathom why the bank wouldn’t give at least a £500 limit

Have you looked to see if there are other ways to make money. I know there are threads on here about it. Even if you sign up to some survey sites then you can make money to spend on groceries to set aside other money for oil?
It might be too late for this winter but plan ahead for next year?

The good news is the weather is looking pretty mild out to mid October.

I don't turn my heating on until the day night average is below 10C.

Last year where I was that wasn't until about mid November.

You lose about 10% body heat through your head. Buy a wool beret or beenie & wear it indoors !

I’m in SE and it is 26 today and I’m in shorts and a t shirt and HOT

Also, I got a Lidl heated blanket for £17.99 for my DD, she wears it when she’s in her office(knees, or shoulders)
it has changed her life

There are websites that will tell you what you chance is of getting a CC.

I had (actually still have) a bad credit rating. Through one of the comparison sites I got a credit card with a sky high interest rate, but I am now in a position to pay it off each month in full the rate doesn't matter.

You can also have information put on your credit file eg I was paying a debt but the company went bust so there is a note on my file saying that I could not continue payments.

Finally you can say to the prospective lender that you want a .anual search not just a computerised decision.

Some credit cards are designed as 'credit builder' cards, that is what you should look for.