Keeping warm this winter: four things UK residents need to Know

There are 4 million customers who are not connected to the national gas grid and many of them use heating oil to keep warm and some also use it to do their cooking, normally through an AGA or range cooker. Heating oil is stored in a tank on the property. It is a good idea for heating oil users to take notice of the heating oil prices and certainly the heating oil price in their area. This will keep residents from paying too much for the heating oil they need.

Before purchasing heating oil for your oil boiler, here are a few things you should consider.

There are several types of oils used in UK homes to generate heat for a family or a couple or single person living in a rented flat or house they own. What heating oil your boiler needs may depend on its age and the type of boiler that you have.

Kerosene Oil - It is called 28 second oil by many UK residents and it is a cleaner, burning oil. This is the type of oil that most home boilers may use and UK residents are more likely to use in their oil or combo boilers.

Gas Oil - This type of oil is known as 35 second or red oil because it is a heavier oil. It is generally used in older boilers, which have not been replaced and not under the newer Energy Compliant regulations for businesses. This oil is used more in commercial and also agricultural ventures. It is also much more expensive than kerosene.

1.New residents, who have moved to a new property, should be able to see the oil type marked clearly on a boiler. If not, ask the previous owner. If they cannot help, contact the OFTEC or Oil-fired industry Trade Association to learn your boiler type.The vast majority of domestic UK oil boilers will use kerosene (also referred to as heating oil)

2.Should you buy premium kerosene? This kerosene can cost 2 – 5 pence per litre more than standard kerosene. You could also purchase a bottle of additive and add the additives yourself. Bottles of additive typically can cost £15+ and treats up to 1,000 litres of heating oil.

3.What should you do if you have appliances that may use heating oil? Before you rush out to buy heating oil, check with the manufacturer. Some manufacturers require heating oil be used. If your manufacturer is Aga, this is certainly the case. However, it is best to ask before finding the best heating oil prices and buying some and not needing it. Remember, heating oil costs can fluctuate, varying from 35p to more than 56p. Many factors can influence the heating oil prices across the UK, including exchange rates, quantity ordered and global market data to name a few

Get an instant domestic or commercial heating oil quote now from ValueOils.com - the UK's leading on-line independent home heating oil supplier, headquartered in Belfast. By utilising our extensive network of quality heating oil suppliers, we are able to offer you competitive heating oil prices, fast delivery, and customer satisfaction all year round, no matter where in the UK or Northern Ireland you are based.