Getting the best heating oil prices

Heating oil prices change regularly. But if you have to buy heating oil to heat your home, there are some ways to save.

The price of kerosene heating oil has risen substantially as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In September 2026, the average price was nearly 40p higher than a year before.

Prices do usually fluctuate throughout the year, but this year has seen particularly dramatic price changes. Costs can also vary depending on where you live in the UK, the time of year you buy the oil, local demand and the amount of heating oil you purchase.

The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) currently advises that you keep at least 500 litres of heating oil in your tank where possible. This helps cut the risk of running low if there's higher demand, severe weather or delivery delays.

There is some support available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for customers specifically affected by recent price changes.

Find out more: Compensation for heating oil customers left out of pocket by 2026 energy crisis

Home energy planning tool

Use our free tool and we'll build you a personalised plan to help you lower your energy bills

Start your plan

As well as looking for the best price for your heating oil, make sure you're on the right electricity tariff for your home. Use our free, independent energy comparison service to compare electricity prices and find the best provider for you.

How much does heating oil cost?

The average price per litre of kerosene was 94.67p in September 2026, according to Sutherland Tables.

You'll also need to pay delivery costs, which can vary depending on how far you live from the supplier you get your oil from.

Are heating oil prices going up?

The current conflict in the Middle East means that oil-heated homes across the UK and Ireland have been affected by higher prices since spring.

Heating oil is kerosene-based, like jet fuel. The wholesale price of jet fuel rose sharply after the conflict began, resulting in higher heating oil prices across the UK. The UKIFDA explained that: 'heating oil distributors buy fuel at prevailing wholesale market prices and are therefore directly affected by movements in international energy markets'.

We don’t know by how much and for how long a spike in jet fuel prices will impact heating oil costs. 

Previously, prices dropped suddenly in 2020, before rising sharply in 2022 as a result of increased global demand for oil and gas. Since then, they have fluctuated, generally increasing in winter and dropping in summer. 

However, the current volatility of global oil prices mean it's tricky to predict what will happen to costs in the future. 

No matter what happens to the price of heating oil, there are still things you can do to keep the costs down. 

Compare heating oil prices

Heating oil prices vary across the UK and between companies. Regularly compare as many quotes as possible from different suppliers, to monitor when and where you can get the best prices. 

Free estimates from online companies such as Boiler Juice and Heating Oil give guide prices. To get precise figures, check with local and online companies.

It's a good idea to do a quick online search for reviews or complaints about a company before you buy, too. 

The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) directory lists suppliers in your area. It's the trade association for distributors of liquid fuel and provides consumer information about heating oil.

If you're unsure about a supplier, contact the UKIFDA at info@ukifda.org. 

Why do heating oil prices vary during the year?

Prices are largely affected by the price of crude oil. This can change, depending on:

• the weather (especially if extreme)
• political unrest
• global production
• US dollar exchange rates.

8 ways to get the best home heating oil prices

Use our tips below to avoid paying more than you need to for your heating oil:

1. Buy ahead of time

If you can plan and buy ahead, waiting longer for your order to arrive will usually cost less. If you need heating oil in a hurry, express or emergency deliveries can be pricey.  

2. Buy heating oil in summer

Prices for heating oil can be a bit lower during the summer. as demand tends to be less.

It’s wise to keep an eye on heating oil prices in general, as prices do fluctuate.

Not buying in the depths of winter also means you'll avoid potential delivery problems in bad weather. 

People tend to buy two or three times a year – depending on the size of their tank and energy use – and order between 1,000 and 2,000 litres. 

No matter when you order, keep an eye on your oil tank gauge. The UKIFDA currently advises that you keep at least 500 litres of heating oil in your tank. 

Usually you might start making plans to reorder when your tank gets to around 25% full.

3. Bulk buy heating oil

Generally speaking, the more you order, the cheaper it will be. Though the size of your tank limits how much you can buy and store in one go.

Domestic heating oil tanks ranges from 1,000 to 3,500 litres on average. It should only be filled up to around 80%-90% of capacity to avoid spillages.

Joining a heating oil club (also called a heating oil buying group) free of charge is a cost-efficient way to buy cheaper heating oil. This is because your order will be clubbed together with others in your area. 

Search online for heating oil clubs in your area or look for websites that combine regional oil clubs to increase orders even further, such as The Oil-Club.

4. Start a heating oil club

Alternatively, you could start your own oil club with neighbours, friends and family. 

Consider how close together you live, and whether the volume you want to order is likely to exceed the amount that can be delivered by the size of tanker used in your area (5,000-23,000 litres). Above this, you’re less likely to get a discount, as the supplier will need a second vehicle. 

You'll need to appoint a co-ordinator to contact oil companies and negotiate a price. 

Remember that the more you order, the more you have to lose if it's stolen.

5. Negotiate the price

Whether buying in bulk with a club or on your own, don't be afraid to negotiate. Companies expect it. 

The more quotes you have, the more information you will have to bargain with. Check online platforms and talk to local distributors to get a few different quotes. Then you can use them to haggle.  

6. Be careful how you pay

When you set up payment for your heating oil, check whether paying by direct debit will lock you into a contract.

A contract isn't necessarily a bad thing. In some agreements, the supplier will also monitor the amount of heating oil in your tank and automatically arrange to top it up for you. 

On the other hand, being locked into a contract doesn't give you the flexibility to shop around for a better price. Most suppliers will let you cancel at any time, however.

Stay alert to scams - official bodies running support schemes will never cold call you, ask for bank details or payment unexpectedly.

7. Protect and maintain your tank

Heating oil is pricey, so safeguarding it against theft and leakage can save you money in the long term.

Servicing your heating oil tank and boiler once a year using an Oftec-registered technician (Oil Firing Technical Association) will alert you to any problems before they get worse, and it will protect against more costly faults.

Quick tank checks you can do yourself include:

• looking for damage to the tank or oil that has leaked out 
• making sure that external proection (such as a bund) isn't filled with water, oil, rubbish or weeds
• ensuring vents, gauges and access points are closed and protected so rain, insects and dirt can't get in
• checking gauges and alarms are working correctly.

Tips to prevent theft:

• Add locks or lockable caps
• Shield you tank so it's not visible from the road (making sure its position still complies with guidelines)
• Install motion-sensitive security lighting or an alarm that reacts if the oil level drops suddenly.

8. Get an efficient oil boiler

The efficiency and age of your boiler affect how much money you spend, so make sure it's in working order by getting it serviced annually. If you have a very old or inefficient model, an upgrade may save you money in the long term.

You could save several hundred pounds a year on your oil bills by replacing an old G-rated oil boiler with an A-rated condensing boiler that has a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves. But it would cost more than £3,000 to replace it, according to Energy Saving Trust, so you'll need to weigh up the immediate costs against the long-term savings. Check our full guide on boiler costs for more information. 

See the best oil boiler brands.

Alternatively, you could consider replacing your oil-fired boiler with renewable heating, such as a heat pump. Government grants of up to £7,500 are available towards them. 

Find out more about the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

What type of home heating oil do I need?

Two types of oil are used for domestic heating:

• Kerosene heating oil - also known as 28-second or heating oil. It's the most common and most efficient type used in UK homes.
• Gas heating oil - also known as 35-second oil or red diesel. It's usually used in older boilers, agriculture or commercially. 

If you've just moved into a property with an oil boiler, the type of heating oil you'll need is determined by the type of heating system that's already installed there.

If your boiler or tank isn't labelled clearly, the simplest way to find out is to ask the previous owner what type they used. If they're unsure or can't help, reach out to a technician registered with Oftec (the Oil Fire Technical Association) to find out.

In cold weather kerosene is unlikely to ‘wax up’ (form crystals that stop it from flowing as easily) until it reaches around -39°C. But check with the supplier regarding this, as it can vary. 

How to cut your energy bills

As well as getting a good price for heating oil, you can minimise the amount you use, and therefore the money you spend. Take a look at our full guide on how to save on your energy bills. 

Options include:

• Making your home more energy efficient
• Installing or topping up loft insulation
• Combining or replacing oil heating with renewable energy
• Comparing electricity prices using our free, independent energy comparison service, to make sure you're on the best tariff for you.