Advice on Oil heating please

[Dizzycow79]

Hi
A house we a looking at buying has oil tank for heating etc. It's something we've never had before so not too sure of the implications. So any advice for a novice would be great.

I have to say I'm a little disappointed that there's no gas - hob is induction which I've never used before either - what are they like to cook on compared to gas?

Thanks x

We did a similar move last year. Oil isn't working out that much different for us compared to our previous gas central heating. When we first got here we forget to top it up, but have since bought a measure thing that alerts us when it gets to a certain level so I'd recommend getting one of those! Hob wise, it takes some getting used to and you need to check your pans are compatible, but now I much prefer it as the temperature is more even and it seems safer as it cools very quickly.

Overall I'd say it ends up very similar, they just feel a bit strange to start with if you aren't used to them.

We’re on oil too- no gas down our lane! Induction is brilliant to use, very fast at heating up but only one downside I found is it’s not so good at cooking with a wok.

Make sure you’re on top of your boiler servicing, they can get sooted up if they’re not looked after. And check your tank level regularly, especially through winter because if you run out it may take a couple of days for the oil to be delivered as well as then needing an engineer to bleed the boiler to get it working again!

We have oil too, v unusual on our edge of small city, suburban road! The previous owners (27 years ago!) apparently wouldn't entertain having gas on the premises. We've found it fine. Each time we need to fill the tank, we ring around to get the best price - sometimes quite a difference per litre. It does make you more conscious of what you're spending on heating and hot water in a way. Makes me feel like we're living in the country when the tanker pulls up!

Keep an eye on oil prices..I normally top up 500 litres which is the minimum you can order....it has ranged from 140 to 350 pounds for this amount. don't let it run out..We have in the past. .couldn't get boiler started again. ..that was £70 for an engineer to come and sort..5 min job!

My folks live in an area without gas, so have calor gas for their hob, which could be an option for you.

Thanks everyone x

I come from a village where there was no gas (too few houses/ too expensive to put in gas main) and its alright as long as you dont run out. (we did once and mother was not amused). I have to hear at length the latest about heating oil when talking to my parents so feel I can add a little insight!

You will get used to arranging and receiving oil deliveries by oil tanker lorries. I would ask the seller about how often it typically needs refilling; its normally 2 or 3 times a year depending on heating/shower usage. Heating oil tanks are usually 2000 or so litres capacity and the suppliers normally have a minimum delivery of 500 litres.

Cost- wise I think its around 30-40p a litre, it fluctuates through the year - summer is best time to top up due to low demand. My parents have 2 or 3 suppliers so ring up to get the best price - theres probably web apps you can use to do this as well.

If buying the house I would ask about the condition of the oil tank - they dont last forever so you may need to factor in the cost of a replacement into the purcahse price. The location of the oil tank can be an issue if you are thinking about extensions or changes to the garden as you will need to have a clear pathway for the oil delivery company to access it.

If you move in its worth talking to neighbours/ the seller about local suppliers. My parents often coordinate with the neighbours so that three or four houses got a delivery at the same time which meansthat it is slightly cheaper plus fewer lorries travelling aroundteh small country lanes.

Don't forget that heating oil can, and often, gets stolen. Get a barky dog!

We moved earlier in the year to a house with oil heating. We faced through the first tank and were convinced we had a leak. We told the oil man when he came to refill and he said "oh everyone thinks that when they first get oil" 😂 Since then we've been much more careful about leaving the back door open and turned the thermostat down a couple of degrees and it's been fine!

I've lived in 4 houses all with oil; keep a lock on the lid; it can be a target for thieves, ensure your tank is not leaking/ metal ones corrode.

Get a watch man plug in device so that you can keep an eye on the usage without going outside.

Phone around for prices; I have a list of 4 and always go back to the cheapest.
Summer prices are cheaper than winter and the more you buy the cheaper per litre it is, minimum order amount here is 500 litres. But I always get the max. of 1500

I have an electric oven and gas hob (calor gas piped through from the outside) ... rarely need replacing, approximately once a year.

Heating bills seem to be comparable to gas really; from talking with friends.

You can still have a gas hob.

Fairly common where I am, rural Aberdeenshire.

As stated above, oil for hot water and heating then a 47kg or 47kgx2 gas bottles piped in just for cooker.

As

Don't get a gas hob, you'll have to store big gas bottles and remember to go and get a new one when one runs out. I bitterly regret not getting an induction hob when we had a new kitchen. Oil central heating is absolutely fine and works out a bit cheaper than gas at the moment I think. Don't get sucked into the schemes where they automatically top up your tank every few months - it's a really expensive way to buy it. We always use boilerjuice for ordering - used to shop around but I've found in recent years that I can't get it any cheaper than Boiler juice.

Thanks for all the replies - Great advice!

Xx