Anyoen got oil fired central heating? Tell me why you love it hate it please

[Piffle]

We have found another house - perfect village, perfect house - there is no gas to the village as yet. MAy never be
it has oil fired central heating and an oil storage tank
I know NOTHING about it
please any info would be gratefully rec'd

What is the thermostat set to, ours is 15 and even that's off unless my hands would otherwise feel cold -- I always feel much colder than everyone else, in spite of wearing many more layers. The others just wear a t-shirt and an ordinary jumper indoors. Do you turn off rads in rooms not being used? (we find this saves a lot of energy). Does the oil heat the hot water, too, could you cut down on bath depth or frequency or shower lengths?

How much insulation do you ladies have in the loft floor? Ideally you should have rock fibre or equivalent to a depth of 250 ml -- plus any cavity walls filled in. Make sure the loft hatch is well-sealed, too. By a big margin, Insulation is the most cost-effective Green measure for reducing household energy usage. Sometimes can recoup the investment of having it done within 5 years. Phone around for an installer who can offer a grant to help with the cost, too. Our house was only built in 1994 but the cavity walls weren't filled in until we did it .

Thick curtains, closed at night, and good quality windows also help keep the heat in... We have a lot of roof exposure, too, (4 bed detached house with large single story extension) and it blows a gale where we live (exposed ridge) and we still only fill up about once a year or less often.

Don't forget this fuel is only diesel (a polutent by any other name!!!!)

I like it. It isn't actually any more expensive than gas if you buy oil at the right times. We also have an arrangement with our supplier, we pay into an account by standing order every month. It just builds up until we need to place an order, to be honest we just forget about it.

Also, our oil boiler is 15 years old and at last service was reported as 'excellent condition'. The boiler in my home growing up was nearly 40 years old before it was replaced. Higher outlay, but last a long time.

We have oil. I don't find it expensive at all. They do automatic top ups and the cost is about £1000 a year. I like my heating on. It's on now.

Recognising a zombie, but cant let nonsense go

• kerosene and diesel are different. And other heating systems are not powered by unicorns.
• oil is still the cheapest fuel per unit heat

- oil standing orders mean you dont benefit from price fluctuations.

Had it, it was expensive, depending on your provider oil deliveries can be delayed and you're left for days without hot water/heating in the middle of winter.

I hate it - its diesel fuel!

No it isn't. Go learn some basic science. And you use fossil fuels.

Repeating nonsense doesn't make it right.

Equal basic science - oil is still cheaper per unit heat at the moment.

Running out in winter is either oil theft or disorganisation.

We have oil central heating too. I don't find it expensive, it costs £800a year to heat a 300yr old cold house. I wouldn't want a system that automatically orders for me - I prefer to order it myself and try to pick times when oil prices go down (watch for when petrol and diesel for cars goes down, then order!). If you can share a delivery with a neighbour you can often get cheaper prices on larger orders. We have a highly advanced monitoring system - a garden cane that we dip every month or so! I like knowing that the heating is paid for in advance all winter. Try and order well before you get low - especially in bad weather.

Down sides - make sure that your tank is not too convenient to reach or out of sight. Our neighbour's is right on the lane in plain view, and they've had their oil stolen twice, which is awful.

And yes diesel and kerosene is different - they accidentally quoted me for diesel last time I ordered fuel and it was much more expensive!