Heating oil - OMG!

WilsonMilson · 2022-03-08T23:09:11+00:00

We usually get 900 litres of heating oil for around £400- £450. I knew prices had gone up, but just went to order more and was quoted £1,200 for the same amount. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable in being speechless, I about fell off my chair. That’s almost 3 times the usual amount. This is totally unsustainable, and coupled with all the other increases in electricity, petrol etc, it’s really getting quite scary now.

Nannyamc · 08/03/2022 23:11

I got 500 litres here in ROI 2 weeks ago for 450 euros today its 810

bloodywhitecat · 08/03/2022 23:12

I am on a waiting list for oil. It is madness

Vapeyvapevape · 08/03/2022 23:12

It is scary. I've just had a conversation with my dd saying that I'm not putting the heating on unless it's absolutely freezing, although it'll be a pain getting the washing dry . I checked the British Gas app and it says I'm going to have to pay an extra £263 a month otherwise I'll be in debit.

Original poster

WilsonMilson · 08/03/2022 23:18

I’ve changed the heating timer to only come on in the morning for 1.5 hours and evening for the same. It’s going to be freezing, it’s a big draughty house at the best of times and the insulation could be a lot better. At least we are going into spring. I’m just gobsmacked, feels like we are going into hyperinflation.

OP posts:

DestinyIsAll · 08/03/2022 23:32

We were looking at this as it’s been active on our local FB group all day. We ordered (thankfully) last week, up around 20p a litre but the rates today are crazy. I just don’t know how people will manage.

We’re the same @WilsonMilson, with a cold old house. We had been having the heating on more as I’ve been recovering from an operation and DH wfh, but we’ll cut down to the bare minimum. Hopefully the weather will be with us.

We’re a rural area and everyone’s on oil. I imagine thefts will increase too as a knock on effect.

thequeenoftarts · 08/03/2022 23:36

1700 for 1000 litres at the minute in ROI
We better get used to being cold

Original poster

WilsonMilson · 08/03/2022 23:43

@DestinyIsAll hadn’t even thought about the theft angle, but you’re right. We are semi rural too, no mains gas so everyone uses oil.
We’ll be layering up in the house - thank goodness we are not just going into winter. I can’t imagine how awful it’s going to be come the autumn, we’ll be sitting with hats and scarves on! I really feel for the elderly and people who are scraping to make ends meet as it is.

OP posts:

AugustRose · 08/03/2022 23:58

I got some near the end of Jan at 59.4ppl but it was only 500l and can't believe how much it is now! This is going to have to last us as we can't afford the current price. I'll have to turn the heating off now. The oil price is never mentioned in the energy cost of living articles and I don't think people really understand how expensive it has become. Completely unsustainable for so many people. There are so many elderly people in my village and there's no way they can afford that price on a pension.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 11/03/2022 08:45

We used to have an oil boiler and I remember being stunned one winter when the price briefly went to 60p per litre.

We switched to an ASHP 4 years ago. I'm so glad we did that, especially as the house is now warmer as well.

Malbecfan · 11/03/2022 09:22

This won't help anyone now, but we use oil and after almost getting caught out one winter when we ran out, we now get our tank topped up in July or early August. The delivery people are quieter then and prices seem to be lower than the 1st cold snap when everyone realises they need oil, there is a 10 day wait and companies hike their prices. Our tank will generally take 1100 litres and we are quite mean with it so it lasts the year.

SarahAndQuack · 11/03/2022 09:26

@Malbecfan

This won't help anyone now, but we use oil and after almost getting caught out one winter when we ran out, we now get our tank topped up in July or early August. The delivery people are quieter then and prices seem to be lower than the 1st cold snap when everyone realises they need oil, there is a 10 day wait and companies hike their prices. Our tank will generally take 1100 litres and we are quite mean with it so it lasts the year.

In all honesty, I think everyone does that who's had an oil tank longer than a year. It's just you get through it, especially if your tank is smaller.

Iputthetrampintrampoline · 11/03/2022 09:42

I think a lot of people are going to be in for a shock,Some people I know are burrying their heads in the sand over this issue and think it won;t happen to them,like its a problem for other people, Its scandalous the prices.

FamBae · 11/03/2022 09:47

Yes the price of fuel has rocketed but it's always a good idea to get quotes from three or four oil companies and present the cheapest to your favoured supplier (they all buy it at the same price) a loyal customer will get taken advantage of; also check out some buying groups / oil clubs as they often negotiate better rates. Remember the delivery charge is built into the price so if you only buy 500 litres the ppl will be significantly higher. I only buy in August but if you need to spread the cost try May & October, everyone wants a full tank for Christmas & Easter. Finally haggle, haggle, haggle if you don't they will take the piss.

Copenhagenoffice · 11/03/2022 09:48

Anyone recommend any decent anti theft devices?

Copenhagenoffice · 11/03/2022 09:48

For the oil tanks?

PancakeBae · 11/03/2022 09:51

We're debating whether to top ours up, after filling up in late summer - DH has been muttering about whether a full tank would be easier for thieves to drain. I'm buying an Oodie.

coldandverytired · 11/03/2022 09:54

@Copenhagenoffice

For the oil tanks?

padlocks and a wifi camera on ours, not sure what more we could do but there's not much in there at the moment anyway, a neighbour lost 1000l one winter- she'd had it filled early December for Christmas, went away for the weekend and came back to an empty tank, we are very rural so it was easy for them to get in and out without being seen.

Laney39 · 11/03/2022 09:57

The problem with anti theft devices is they just drill a hole in the tank, drain it then you need more oil and a new tank!

GestationalDiabetes · 11/03/2022 10:01

Our tank has a padlock which we don’t normally bother with but having refilled last week I put it on in case. They told us if we hadn’t already booked we’d be looking at May at £2/ litre, it’s awful (ours was 85p as we were low already and part of a buying group).

I’ve turned our heating off for moment and glad coming out of winter slowly. There’s another thread somewhere with helpful link to grants for anyone really struggling .

thetemptationofchocolate · 11/03/2022 10:05

A neighbour has waited a month for oil delivery, apparently three Russian shiploads of oil were turned away which has left supplies short.

Eucalyptusbee · 11/03/2022 10:18

Time to downsize / move!

Poppyliveshere · 11/03/2022 10:30

@FamBae

Yes the price of fuel has rocketed but it's always a good idea to get quotes from three or four oil companies and present the cheapest to your favoured supplier (they all buy it at the same price) a loyal customer will get taken advantage of; also check out some buying groups / oil clubs as they often negotiate better rates. Remember the delivery charge is built into the price so if you only buy 500 litres the ppl will be significantly higher. I only buy in August but if you need to spread the cost try May & October, everyone wants a full tank for Christmas & Easter. Finally haggle, haggle, haggle if you don't they will take the piss.

If anything like us locally, the oil companies aren’t even putting people on their waiting list unless not regulars. So if you have always shopped about and haggled (very wise IMO) it’s even harder. We have a really good local company without sales reps (with targets to meet) and I’ve used them for over 3 years now, and todays price 1.06 per litre. Not great at all, but better than many quoted! Days of shopping about are over sadly

Discodancinggiraffe · 11/03/2022 10:40

My mils was very worried when we went round the other day her oil will be £2000. She is nearly 80. Comfortably off but that is far too much for her to pay. We have just ordered electric heaters for her instead. Luckily she had solar panels installed about 10 years ago. How other elderly people on smaller budgets are expected to keep warm I don't know.

MrsClatterbuck · 11/03/2022 10:56

@Malbecfan

This won't help anyone now, but we use oil and after almost getting caught out one winter when we ran out, we now get our tank topped up in July or early August. The delivery people are quieter then and prices seem to be lower than the 1st cold snap when everyone realises they need oil, there is a 10 day wait and companies hike their prices. Our tank will generally take 1100 litres and we are quite mean with it so it lasts the year.

Our oil tank holds 1000l and this house is a new build. We started off filling it with 500l at a time. We found this lasted us 6 months approx with being a new build and well insulated unlike our last house where 1000l would never had done us a year. During lockdown when prices plummeted we managed to fill up the tank and now do top ups. So wish we had done this 2 weeks ago when we were talking about it. We got 300l this week and paid £373 they wouldn't even quote me a price for 500l. I have a s/o with the oil co which I have now increased so will see how that pans out. Hopefully will price will come down in summer and we can top up but who knows

Theanswerisinthequestion · 11/03/2022 10:58

I expect to be cold for the next month or two.