Heating oil prices fall this week as Consumer Council urges households to plan ahead for winter
- Love Ballymena
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Home heating oil prices have dipped this week, according to the Consumer Council’s latest Home Heating Oil Price Checker, offering some short-term relief for households preparing for colder weather.
The average cost of 500 litres now sits at £299.59, around £11.30 cheaper than last week, though still £12.45 more expensive than last month.
The fluctuating figures highlight the ongoing volatility of the heating oil market, with prices changing daily and making it increasingly difficult for consumers to judge the best time to buy.
The Consumer Council notes that several factors contribute to these price shifts, including global supply and demand, refinery costs, the strength of the pound against the US dollar, and geopolitical events in oil-producing regions.
Raymond Gormley, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council, urged households to think ahead as demand rises in the run-up to Christmas.
“With the countdown to Christmas now in full swing, oil distributors will start to get very busy with increased demand putting a bit more strain on supply, meaning that delivery slots will start to fill up.
“Our advice is to check your home heating oil tank to see how much oil you have. If you are running low and you can afford to do so, order oil sooner rather than later to avoid any last-minute emergency deliveries, unexpected costs, and added stress in the run up to Christmas.
“Also, don’t forget to check in with elderly relatives, friends, and neighbours to make sure they have enough oil to keep them safe and warm this winter”.
The Consumer Council continues to encourage households to regularly monitor prices, compare suppliers, and plan ahead wherever possible, particularly as temperatures drop and delivery capacity tightens in December.