How does oil central heating work?

If you have oil central heating, you will normally have an oil-fired boiler. This heats water to provide central heating through radiators and hot water through the taps in your home.

Unlike mains gas, heating oil is delivered to your home in a tanker. It is piped into a tank on your property, which you may have to buy or rent from your supplier. Some suppliers insist on minimum orders and you usually have to pay up-front for your oil.

Because oil is delivered by road, rather than through a continuous piped supply, it is possible you could run out while you wait for your next delivery. Therefore, you should always be sure to order your deliveries with plenty of time to spare, especially in the winter months.

Your rights if you are a heating oil customer

When you buy heating oil from a supply company, you have legal rights as a consumer under the Sale of Goods Act. If the oil supplier makes a mistake with your order or tries to change the agreed price, you can take action against them.

• For more help and advice on what to do if there is a problem with your oil supplier, see Problems with your heating oil supplier.

Saving money on heating oil

Heating oil is a very efficient fuel, but the price can still go up. You may find you can save money by joining together with others in your area to form an oil club. By clubbing together to buy larger quantities, you can get better deals from the oil suppliers.

• For more information about oil clubs and other ways of saving money on heating oil, see Saving money on heating oil bills.

Next steps

• For advice on what to do if you’re struggling to pay for heating oil, see You’re struggling to pay your heating oil bills.
• For advice on how to set up and run an oil club, see Setting up and running an oil club.

More information

• For more help on ways to save money on your energy bills, see Saving money on energy bills.

Citizens Advice