More time for off-grid households

More time for off-grid households

By Andrew Wells, 25 September 2023

You no doubt will have heard Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak’s speech last week on net zero policy or at least all the media coverage. Following a frenzied 24 hours of speculation, the much anticipated announcement outlined a ‘new approach’ and significant shift in the government’s green commitments.

In his speech the PM outlined a rethink to the targets to reach net zero, with many of the key policies being welcome news for all those living off-grid and relying on heating oil.

Key points to the government’s change in policy

  • The timeline for phasing out off-grid heating oil and LPG boilers has been relaxed and will move from 2026 to 2035, with this being an 80%, rather than 100% phase-out.
  • The Boiler Upgrade Scheme which gives people cash grants to replace their boiler, will be increased by 50% to £7,500
  • The government will never force anyone to rip out their existing boiler and install a heat pump – those unable to afford one will never have to switch

What does this mean for off-grid households?
These changes in policy do allow us more time. More time to adapt to the government’s net zero drive. For us living in rural locations and reliant on oil, we can still make a significant contribution to net zero by switching to renewable liquid gases such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

What next?
Essentially, the delay to the ban on oil boilers, will ensure that off-grid homeowners have time to explore a number of sustainable options, ensuring that you don’t face substantial costs for upgrades in a short period of time.

At Yorkshire Oils we remain committed to supporting you on this journey and we will keep you informed on any further updates.

De-carbonising our homes

Fossil free renewable fuel

By Andrew Wells, 14 August 2023

You may have read the recent news and heard the media statements regarding the call from a number of rural MPs for government to support the move to liquid fuels, specifically HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), for households like yourselves who currently run off kerosene.

The current government position on the move away from fossil fuels
In its Heat and Buildings Strategy the government proposed banning the installation of fossil fuel boilers, which would include oil, from 2026 in homes and small businesses and 2024 for larger businesses. In most cases these properties would be expected to switch to a heat pump.

What the oil industry is saying in response
In a cost of living crisis, heat pumps are costly and unattainable for many households and a third way is being campaigned for by industry body UKIFDA (UK & Ireland Fuel Distributor Association). In a statement, they highlight the issue with decarbonising off-grid properties:

 “Many of our off-grid customers live in rural communities, with older properties who face real and serious challenges about how to decarbonise their home heating. They have told us they need to be given a choice of how they can do this in an affordable way which results in minimal disruption.”

Finding more affordable, renewable options
According to UKFIDA, the industry over the last two years, “has invested time, effort and money – without government subsidy – on developing a solution, using renewable liquid fuel as a replacement fuel for kerosene […] The conversion from oil to these renewable fuels can be done quickly, at a reasonable upfront cost and without disruption and it results in immediate reductions in carbon emissions.”

Movement in the backbenches to support liquid fuels
In a recent move, George Eustice MP, former Environment Secretary is encouraging government to look again at the oil boiler ban in 2026 and the use of renewable liquid fuels as an option for the many rural off-grid properties such as yours. Eustice has introduced the Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Bill to Parliament which would create powerful incentives to push for a speedy transfer to the use of HVO or other liquid fuels in existing boilers.

In response, UKIFDA says:

“Our industry, members and customers are urging the Government to support George Eustice’s amendment to the Energy Bill, which will bring the cost of these fuels down for consumers, as they already have in transport, while costing the taxpayer nothing.”

What can I do as a kerosene boiler owner?
You can write to your local MP to encourage them to support Mr Eustice’s new bill and the call for liquid fuels as the renewable option for many households where heat pumps are not feasible.

Visit the Future Ready Fuels website for template letters, finding MPs email addresses and an interesting video explaining how HVO works:

Energy Bill Campaign – July

Inventive Oil Order

Our customers are always making us smile and we had to share this inventive oil order with you. One of our loyal customers decided to order through the medium of poetry. Take a look…

Cold wet miserable dayFilling a tank

Long wait until May

In the meantime

It is now that time

To order lots of oil

Please don’t recoil

In the shock Mr Wells

Just ring the bells

And count the money

Enjoy being in the honey

You go the extra metres

I will have 600 litres

Great to have it today

But tomorrow will be a good day

Oil is your game

And Mark is my name

Thank you Mark for taking the time to do this for us. You certainly made our day.

If you have any inventive ways to order give it a try.

Keep up to date with us on social media…

Reducing your heating oil cost

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

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…

Heating Oil Guide

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.