How To Manage The Cost Of Home Heating Oil
As the price of heating oil continues to fluctuate, finding ways to manage and reduce the cost of oil will likely be a top priority coming into the colder months. For those in rural areas and off the national grid, heating oil is a necessity and being able to reduce costs and maximise usage is a must.
Below, we will provide you with tips and tricks to help save money and make your oil go further.
HOW IS THE COST OF OIL DETERMINED?
The latest figures from Which show that the cost of heating oil remains high at around 57p per litre (per June 2025 numbers). There are many factors which contribute to the price of oil and to the reasons why the costs fluctuate so much throughout the year, including:
- The time of the year
- Your location in the UK
- Political unrest
- Weather conditions (especially if extreme)
- Global production
- US dollar exchange rates
The size of your household and the number of deliveries you need per year also impact how much you spend on heating oil.
TIPS FOR SAVING ON THE COST OF HEATING OIL
While it might seem quite daunting to face the cost of heating oil on top of other price increases, the good news is that there are ways in which you can save some money.
- Compare Prices – When it comes time to refill your oil tank, ask a few suppliers for a quote and see if there are any savings to be made. You can use UKIFDA to check local suppliers in your postcode.
- Buy Heating Oil In The Summer – It may seem mad to buy your heating oil during the warmer months, but prices are likely to be lower due to less demand. Prices typically increase as demand rises in the colder months, so worth planning ahead where possible. It may also work out cheaper if you are willing to wait a bit longer for your deliveries.
- Buy In Bulk – If you can, it typically works out cheaper to buy your oil in bulk. The size of your tank will play a part in how much oil you can store at one time, though it might be worth looking at replacing smaller, more frequent deliveries with larger ones. Not only is it likely that the unit price of the oil will decrease, but you’ll also save on delivery charges, and it will make it easier to plan for future deliveries.
- Community Groups – If you’re not able to bulk buy your heating oil, it would be worth looking into whether any community groups in your area run a heating oil club. These clubs typically consist of several households in the same area who rely on oil, and so all club in for a large delivery to save money. Check with your neighbours, on local Facebook groups or sites such as NextDoor, to see if one exists in your area.
MAKING YOUR OIL LAST LONGER
There are things you can do to maximise your heating oil once you have it in the tank and help push back the time between deliveries.
- Maintain Your Tank – Keeping your tank in tip-top shape will ensure you aren’t leaking oil from any surprise splits or cracks. Regular checks also ensure that any sludge and water build-up is dealt with quickly and avoid contaminating your oil. To learn more about why regular maintenance on your oil tank is important, and what you can do at home, read our advice piece Why Regular Oil Tank Servicing Is Important.
- Ensure You Have the Right Size Tank – The size of your tank will impact how often and how much you need to spend on heating oil. Checking your usage and keeping an eye on how much oil you use will help you determine whether your tank is the right size for your property, and could potentially save you money in the long run if a smaller tank will fit your needs. If you need help determining the right tank for you, check out our piece on Types of Oil Tanks, or contact our team, who will be happy to help.
- Check Your Boiler Efficiency – An older, inefficient boiler system can end up draining your tank and your money much quicker than you would like and maybe even realise. While it will be a larger upfront cost for a new boiler, the long-term savings might just be worth it.
- Turn Down Your Thermostat – One degree can make all the difference when it comes to rising energy costs. Consider lowering your thermostat to help make your oil last longer.
It is also worth keeping an eye on draught-prone areas in your home (windows, doors, loft hatches) to ensure you aren’t losing heat.
HEATING OIL COSTS FAQs
HOW MUCH IS HEATING OIL IN THE UK PER LITRE?
At the time of writing (October 2025), the average home heating oil price is 57.6p per litre. This is based on oil suppliers’ lowest prices across UK postcodes to get an average cost.
WHAT AFFECTS HEATING OIL PRICES?
There are many factors which affect the price of oil, which is why the costs fluctuate so much throughout the year. These factors include:
- The time of the year
- Where you are located in the UK
- Political unrest
- Weather conditions (especially if extreme)
- Global production
- US dollar exchange rates
The size of your household and the number of deliveries you need per year also impact how much you spend on heating oil.
IS THERE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF HEATING OIL I HAVE TO BUY?
Most suppliers will have a minimum amount you can order, and this will vary depending on where you are in the UK and your local suppliers. Typically speaking, for most UK areas, the minimum amount is 300 litres. It is worth bearing in mind that it can sometimes work out more expensive per litre to order less than 500 litres due to fixed delivery costs.