Reducing your heating oil cost

by | Oct 19, 2020 | News

Basics of Heating Oil Cost

Heating Oil cost in the UK generally follows the global oil price. As we saw during lockdown, the global demand dropped therefore the price fell by more than half in April. Overall this has been a great year for consumers with such a low heating oil cost.

The most commonly used heating oil in the UK is Kerosene. Kerosene is also known as kero, heating oil & home heating oil.

Choose the best Purchasing Time

The price you pay is directly affected by the wholesale price, this fluctuates daily and can be unpredictable.

Summer is often a good time to buy your oil as demand for kerosene nationally is lower, you can often get a good price with excellent delivery options. As more people buy in winter due to greater usage, delivery schedules can fill and cause a longer wait for your heating oil. Planning ahead can reduce the chance of having a chilly few days with no heating.

If you become desperate our 20L heating oil (kerosene) drums can top your tank up just enough to get you through a few days.

As the pandemic saw such low prices, many people choose to stock up around April. This means the amount of customers that will require a tank top up in the winter months could create long delivery timOil Tank Dipstickes.

If you can get into a routine of checking your oil tank level, this will certainly ensure you never run out. Most tanks come with a basic gauge, however using a dipstick (a long stick) can also help you gauge how full your tank is. You can get gadgets that automatically read your tank level, these can be more expensive but the initial outlay may be worth it for you.

How much heating oil should I order?

Your minimum heating oil cost is likely to be £125 upwards, based on 500L. 500L is the minimum order for heating oil in England, so it is worth ensuring you can manage your payments.

In order to get the best price for your heating oil, buy in bulk! The more you buy the cheaper each litre will be. Generally orders over 1000L will give you access to this greater discount.

Paying for your heating oil

MonthlyPay to spread your heating oil costFor first time customers, you will need to pay in full shortly after your delivery. We never take your payment before delivery to avoid you overpaying if the number of litres delivered is less.

After your initial order you can then choose to continue paying in full when you require a delivery or making use of our MonthlyPay scheme. MonthlyPay enables you to pay small amounts each month which are then used against your orders throughout the year. This gives you an easy way to save for your heating oil orders. If you have any questions just speak with Andrew.

Get set up on MonthlyPay today by calling 01423 396789

Keep up to date with our energy saving tips and follow us on social media…

Andrew Wells

by | Aug 26, 2020 | News

Andrew Wells is the founder and owner of Yorkshire Oils. Yorkshire Oils was established following years of experience in the oil industry and the realisation that customer service was heavily lacking among oil suppliers.Andrew Wells, Owner of Yorkshire Oils​

Andrew decided to become one of very few independent oil suppliers. This meant he could focus on offering a personal service and get to know our clients. Unfortunately many oil suppliers concentrate on the numbers. They have targets set by multinational companies and must sell huge quantities of oil. Sadly this leaves customers as just a number, instead of a valued client.

Andrew never felt this should be the case, hence Yorkshire Oils was built on getting to know customers. Andrew chose to serve specifically Yorkshire as he knows the county, being born & bred here. This also gives us a smaller area than the huge UK companies meaning we always have time for each & every customer.

Profile

Background: Andrew was in management for a multinational oil company for over 22 years.  During this time he was required to work within regional depots & head office. As with many large oil companies he saw his fair share of buy outs over this time.

Core Values: Andrew’s passion is for delivering personal service, along with spending time getting to know people. Anything Andrew can do for his home county, Yorkshire, is always high in priority.Oil Tank Dipstick

Yorkshire Roots: Andrew grew up around Ripon and attended school here as a child. He took part in many local activities and enjoyed his early years living the Yorkshire life. He was then offered the opportunity to attend Pocklington School as a teenager. Andrew has never been far from the county, living & working in the area ever since.

Where might we meet?: As you have probably gathered, Andrew loves meeting up with people and consequently has many loves outside of work. Andrew is a huge fan of sport, you might catch him at local Yorkshire Rugby matches, playing a spot of tennis or even on the golf course. He has also taken on a family tradition as Director of Ripon Racecourse, you will often see him here on race days. Keeping to his Yorkshire roots Andrew loves a visit to a Yorkshire pub for a tasty meal & refreshing drinks.

Keep up to date with Andrew and follow him on social media…

How is Coronavirus affecting the oil market?

by | Feb 26, 2020 | News

How is coronavirus affecting the oil market you might ask. Well, China’s reaction to Coronavirus was initially to close down the cities and most would say rightly so. As a result, the shutdown of factories and the radical reduction of flights, has certainly justified the significant drop in oil prices.

China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil, of which they usually consume around 14 million barrels a day. (1 barrel=159L, so that’s 2 quadrillion litres a day!!!) Therefore their needs have dramatically declined to power machinery, fuel vehicles, and keep the lights on.

It is not just China who is using less oil. As airlines around the world suspend their flights & travel restrictions creep in the amount of jet fuel will decrease too.

But how do we expect coronavirus to affect oil prices to change over the next few months?

The main question to ask is whether the hysteria surrounding the Coronavirus has caused the oil demand forecasts to change considerably.

Many in the industry believe that if the epidemic dies out sooner than thought, then the Chinese oil demand has the potential to recover fully by the end of the year. In turn this would give a small reduction in the global oil market. Meaning your current price of home heating oil is unlikely to change dramatically.

It is worth considering that as the weather warms over the next few months, we would likely see a decrease in the coronavirus. Just as we do in England with the winter flu. This is not necessarily taken into account by the current forecast.

So far we have seen crude oil hit its lowest level in a year after it fell 20% from its January peak. This is the equivalent amount that the UK & Italy consume together. As a result this has shown the industry there is a strong link to coronavirus.

crude oil price, oil price drop due to coronavirus

Source: BBC News

What are oil producers expected to do about the Coronavirus impact?

The world’s largest oil producers are discussing more production cuts, on top of those which have been in place since 2016. The aim of this is to boost falling prices. Opec members have called for measures to support oil prices as the coronavirus continues to hit demand.

What does Coronavirus mean for your home heating oil price?

Well of course it is difficult to say, but we have been monitoring prices. Although the price has decreased since January it has remained relatively stable ever since. As we recover from Coronavirus and the oil market evens out, we would naturally expect an increase in price provided no additional epidemics take place.

oil price graph for Yorkshire

Source: Oil 4 Yorkshire

Heating Oil Additives: Are They Worth the Investment?

by | Jan 10, 2019 | News

Heating Oil Additives

Everyone wants to save a little bit extra on their heating bills. And, rightly so, it feels good to know you’ve saved a chunk of money that you’d have otherwise had to pay on something as menial as heating oil. But the big question is “can heating oil additives be used to produce this saving?”

Many people are dubious about additives and whether they really do produce the benefits manufacturers claim.

So, in this post, we will explore this question and discuss common types of additives, how they work and whether they are worth investing in. Therefore, you can discover whether oil additives are the right product for you.

Let the discussion begin with the common problems associated with heating oil.

Common Problems with Heating Oil Systems

Cleanliness

Carbon and other contaminants present in your tank are dragged through into your system, clogging the burner nozzle and injectors, thereby, reducing the efficiency of your boiler.

Water

Small amounts of water can seep into your tank causing bacterial growth, rusting and problems with your tanks filtering system.

Freezing

Also known as gelling. When the temperature is low enough, heating oil can become very viscous and, therefore, can’t flow as easily through your oil system.

Oxidation

Oxidation can lead to a deterioration of kerosene which affects the burning efficiency of your fuel.

Sludge

Sludge formed from microbial growth in the tank sediments at the bottom. When your oil level is low it is pulled through your system and clogs your filter.

Common Problems with Heating Oil

Can these problems be tackled with additives? They sure can, read below to find out what additive tackles which problem.

Additives

Specialised additives can be found which possess ingredients that target specific problems associated with home heating oil and AGA cookers.

These include:

  • Biocides
  • Lubricity Enhancers
  • Demulsifiers

Biocides

These aim to kill any microbes present in your fuel which lead to sludge formation. This is a problem when fuel is left stagnant in a tank for a prolonged period. For example, in the summer months when fuel consumption is at its lowest. Biocides kill sludge forming microbes a problem can prevent itself, and therefore, extending the shelf life of your kerosene.

Lubricity additives

These aim to extend the lifetime of your oil-fired system through effectively lubricating moving components, whilst also cleaning injectors and burning nozzles. Therefore, your system runs efficiently for longer leading.

Demulsifiers

These work by keeping water and fuel separate. Hence, this prevents water from entering your system, which would otherwise reduce the burning efficiency of your boiler and allow microbes to grow.

Home Heating Oil Additives

The main brands of heating oil additives include Topanol, Exocet and Hydra. Each brand has a range of additives offering different benefits.

Topanol Oil Fired Combustion Additive

Benefits include:

  • Stops the oxidation process to maintain fuel quality
  • Optimises combustion
  • Improves fuel economy
  • Keeps pipes clean by reducing carbon and gum formation

Exocet Premium Heating Oil AdditiveExocet cooker additive

Benefits include:

  • Lower carbon emissions
  • Fuel is stabilised to increase shelf life
  • Inhibits sludge formation
  • Deposit build-up reduced
  • Improves your system efficiency

Hydra Heating Oil Additive

Benefits include:

  • Heavy-duty detergents clean burner nozzle and injector
  • Removes soot deposits
  • Dissolves sludge
  • Reduced oil consumption by 10%

Be aware, there are plenty of other additives on the market.

Let’s look at the ingredients that make up additives…

Heating Oil Additive Ingredients

Additives are made up of various chemicals including:

  • Antioxidants
  • Dispersants
  • Detergents
  • Corrosion Inhibitors
  • Stabilisers

And, now, onto the big questions. Should I spend my money on additives or not?

Do heating oil additives work?

The premise of heating oil additives is that they will help to reduce the cost of heating your home one way or another. Whether that be by maximising oil consumption or by increasing the lifetime of your system’s components.

Note: Additives should not be used as an alternative to regular boiler maintenance. The recommended guideline is that your boiler should be serviced once a year by an OFTEC qualified engineer.

The doubters say that “you see very little benefit. They are a con”. But other people swear by them. So, who is right?

Let’s start by stating that additives should be viewed as a long-term strategy and only indirectly lead to reduced oil consumption rates. Not only this but additives will not save you mega bucks. So, if you go into it thinking that you’ll be saving hundreds of pounds on your heating bill every year then you will be disappointed. Instead, they can be viewed as a cost-effective way of keeping your heating oil system running smoothly over a period of years.

There will also be a decrease in maintenance costs for things such as filters, boiler repairs, etc. However, this is much harder to quantify because you will not get the benefit of seeing what would have gone wrong without the use of additives. This may be one of the reasons people think that they are not worth spending the money on.

When many heating oil additives work primarily to clean your heating oil system or reduce wear and tear of critical components.

Then, reduced oil consumption results but, only because of an additive’s primary function. Therefore, reduced oil consumption is a consequence of the use of additives.

Note: As the price of heating oil rises, any savings made by using additives increases.

Whilst additives won’t save you the huge savings instantly, over time the little savings snowball into greater and greater sums.

Heating Oil Guide

by | Oct 31, 2018 | News

Moving to a new house can be a stressful time and even more so if you are new to oil heating systems.

This heating oil guide is designed to help answer the most common questions on the fundamentals of domestic heating oil, oil tanks and additives.

Firstly, I will give you a bit of background on heating oil and oil heating systems before we move on to the FAQs.

An Introduction to Heating OilFilling a tank

Heating oil is used by roughly 1.5 million homes in England, Scotland and Wales making heating oil the most common alternative to gas.

The main difference between gas and oil is the presence of an oil tank on your premises. And, the fact that you are solely responsible for ensuring your oil level is checked regularly and you don’t run out of fuel.

Commonly, domestic oil-fired heating systems are powered by kerosene, but some do use red diesel. This is always important to check before potentially ordering the wrong fuel.

Be wary that heating oil and red diesel can have different names.

Heating oil is also called:

  • Kerosene
  • Burning oil
  • 28-second heating oil

And, red diesel is also known as:

  • Gas oil
  • 35-second oil
  • Plant diesel
  • Agricultural diesel
  • Cherry oil

Now, on to the FAQs…

What do I need to know before ordering?

Before you order your first lot of heating oil, make sure that you have considered:

  • The capacity of your oil tank and the current oil level – this will help you to decide the quantity of oil you require (minimum is 500L by law).
  • The upcoming weather – If there is a prolonged cold spell forecast then you may want to consider stocking up.
  • Your preferred payment method – Choose how you want to pay for your order.
  • The desired delivery date – The majority of suppliers offer a standard 10 working day delivery with an option for quicker delivery at higher prices.

How can I avoid running out?

One of the simplest ways is setting a regular reminder to go and check your oil level every month/couple of weeks.APollo Oil Tank Meter

Or, for a more hi-tech solution, you can install a tank monitor which keeps track of your oil level and sends real-time updates to a monitor in your home. Some even include a built-in alarm to warn off any thieves.

Despite being highly effective, these can come at a bit of expense so it really depends on your personal preference.

The most popular models include Apollo and Watchman.

How much should I order?

Bear in mind, that the larger the quantity you order the cheaper price per litre. However, consider your current oil level and the capacity of your tank before you decide how much to order.

Unsure about the capacity of your oil tank? Check the make and model, then search for the capacity online.

How do I check my oil level?

The ever-reliable method of dip sticking still remains one of the easiest ways of checking your oil level.

Oil Tank DipstickA dipstick can be fashioned out of something such as a broom handle and then plunged to the bottom of your tank. Remove the dipstick and measure the top of the oil mark against the side of your tank. This will give you an indication of your current oil level. Comparing this mark to the capacity of your tank allows you to estimate the required volume needed to fill it to the brim.

For a more Hi-tech solution, check out electronic gauges. Once installed, these read your oil level and send the information directly to a monitor or a mobile app. Therefore, you get accurate, up to date readings of your remaining fuel. Popular models include Apollo and Watchman.

How do I pay for my heating oil?

Heating oil suppliers generally offer a range of payment options to choose from.

At Yorkshire Oils, we currently offer:

  • Debit/credit card payments.
  • monthlyPay – a budget scheme which spreads the cost of your oil bills over 12 months.
  • Online payment – Transfer the order amount to the bank details shown on the invoice.
  • Cheque payments – Existing customers only.

How long does oil delivery take?

Heating Oil tanker and truckMany suppliers offer a standard 10 working day delivery with options for shorter delivery at greater expense.

Whereas, we offer 3-5 working day delivery as standard and this can be made next day without the large premiums charged by typical suppliers.

Please note, that during periods of cold weather delivery may be extended due to a large increase in demand. Similarly, if the weather conditions affect delivery routes, your delivery window may also be extended.

How to order heating oil?

You can order your heating oil by calling us on 01423 396789 or by filling in our online quote form. For new buyers, we recommend that you call in order for us to discuss any requirements you may have.

How to save on your heating oil?

Save money on your heating bills with the guides shown below:Cheap Heating Oil

What do I do if my oil tank leaks?

For major leaks, you should try and stop any oil soaking into the ground where possible. In addition, you should contact your insurance provider and get them to send out an OFTEC technician or UKSpill accredited clean-up company.

How often should I service my boiler?

It is recommended that your boiler should be serviced once a year, by an OFTEC registered technician, in order to check and repair any faults which lead to decreased efficiency.

Note: We recommend that you use an OFTEC qualified technician for all servicing, installation and repair work. Visit the OFTEC website, where you can search for your nearest technician.

Can heating oil go off?

Heating oil doesn’t go off but there are ways in which you can keep your system in top quality condition.

  1. Use Additives – Additives offer many benefits including inhibiting sludge formation and reducing deposit build-ups. If untreated, these can clog up your tank and lead to further problems in your heating oil system.
  2. Keep your tank under good repair – cracks or loose seals can cause rainwater to enter your system causing multiple issues. Check your oil tank every month to ensure there is no water getting in.

Can heating oil lines freeze?

Heating oil can freeze but only at extreme temperatures. Oil Pipe InsulationHowever, heating oil can become too viscous to be pumped around your system at very low temperatures. One way to counteract this is to insulate any exposed oil pipes during the cold periods.

What are heating oil additives?

Additives are comprised of multiple components which provide additional benefits to your system.

For example, Exocet Premium Heating Oil Additives aim to:

  • Lower carbon emissions
  • Stabilise Fuel
  • Inhibit sludge formation
  • Reduce deposit build-up
  • Improve your system efficiency

Or, Exocet additives for oil fired AGA and Rayburn cookers aim to:

  • Lower the char value
  • Reduce the build-up of carbon deposits and soot
  • Inhibit the growth of deposits in storage tanks
  • Stabilise the fuel
  • Reduce operating problems

What happens if I run out of oil?

Firstly, contact us so that an emergency delivery can be arranged. Meanwhile, call and collect 20L drums of Kerosene from our site on Rabbit Hill Business Park, HG5 0RB to keep you going whilst you wait for delivery. Our number is 01423 396789.

Please note, it may also be worth contacting your boiler engineer as your system will need bleeding.

Conclusion

I hope this heating oil guide answers all your questions and good luck with the new home/oil system. For any questions not mentioned, call us on 01423 396789.

Frequently Asked Questions

by | Oct 31, 2018 | News

Does my oil tank need changing anytime soon?

If you are unsure about the integrity of your current oil tank, please give us a call and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have, if this does not suffice we can easily arrange one of our representatives to come and have a look for you, even if this is just to put your mind to rest.

How do I pay for my oil delivery?

We have a number of payment options available:

  • Debit/credit card over the phone
  • A budget scheme, helping you spread the cost of your oil bills over 12 months, please contact us for further details. monthlyPAY
  • Online payment, our bank details are available on all invoices.
  • Cheque payments – Existing customers only.

Does the quantity I order affect the price?

Yes, this is simply due to economies of scale, the larger the quantity ordered the better the price gets, as a start point we have a minimum order of 500 litres. If the lump sum payment is too high in one go, why not speak to us about our monthlyPay scheme, helping you spread your oil bill over 12 months.

How long does it take to deliver my oil?

Service is at the very forefront of our day to day business, we offer our best price with a standard delivery window of 48 hours, if delivery is needed sooner as happens on many occasions, delivery can be made next day, without paying large premiums typical of internet websites. Vice versa if we have a spell of cold weather our delivery window might be extended.

Why choose Yorkshire Oils?

Unlike many of the suppliers available to you today we remain an independent local family owned business. We offer highly competitive prices coupled with a friendly, professional service priding ourselves on reliability and keeping our promises.

What happens if I run out of fuel?

Firstly contact us so that an emergency delivery can be arranged. You can collect 20 ltr drums of Kerosene from our site at Rabbit Hill near Boroughbridge, HG5 0RB. Ring 01423 396789. It may also be worth contacting your boiler engineer as the system will more than likely need a bleed due to an airlock.