Site Prices Update
Last Updated28th June 2022
All calculations on this site are based on current fuel prices, they are checked regularly and calculations are automatically updated.
The costs calculated based on these fuel prices should be regarded as 'good estimates', given that fuel prices vary in different parts of the county and at different time of the year.
The calculations also have different levels of accuracy depending on the nature of the calculation. For example calculating the energy use of a known power output TV is very easy compared to calculating the effect on energy savings when insulating a cavity wall.
Site Calculations
Set Your Own Prices
User PricesFor several of the fuel prices on this site you can now set your own prices and all the calculations on the site will adjust accordingly.
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At Confused About Energy we aim to provide practical, impartial advice on all aspects of energy usage, climate change and ways to save money on energy bills.
All calculations on this site are based on current fuel prices they are checked regularly are automatically updated and were last changed on:-
28th June 2022
The costs calculated based on these fuel prices should be regarded as 'good estimates', given that fuel prices vary in different parts of the county and at different time of the year.
The calculations also have different levels of accuracy depending on the nature of the calculation. For example calculating the energy use of a known power output TV is very easy compared to calculating the effect on energy savings when insulating a cavity wall.
Site Calculations
| Electricity | £0.271 per unit (1 kWh) |
| Economy Electricity | £0.094 per unit (1 kWh) |
| Gas | £0.072 per unit (1 kWh) |
| Domestic LPG | £0.122 per unit (1 kWh) |
| Heating Oil | £0.104 per unit (1 kWh) |
| UK Grid CO2 Emissions | 0.233 kg per kWh used |
The main units used in this site are in the table below, For a complete explanation of power and energy Read More.
| Unit | Name | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| W | Watt | Unit of Power |
| kW | Kilowatt | 1000 watts |
| kWh | Kilowatt hour | Measure of Energy |
| L | Litre | Measure of Volume |
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To calculate our average price of heating oil in the UK we collect a sample of quotes for delivery of 1000 litres of standard kerosene delivered in a standard tanker on normal delivery timescales (usually 1 week to 10 days). We do this once every quarter.
Like the price of petrol or diesel for your car, the price of heating oil is hugely influenced by the global price of crude oil and will change over time. Recent years has seen a big fall in the price of heating oil as the crude oil price collapsed.
In December 2013 the average price for heating oil was 56 pence per litre. In April 2016 the average price was 28 pence per litre!
Getting the best price for heating oil
There are a number of things you can do to ensure you get the best price for your heating oil:-
1. Shop around for your heating oil
As with petrol, where prices can vary quite a lot between retailers, so can the price of heating oil. There are several nationwide heating oil price comparison sites and heating oil brokers that you can use. The brokers will have a network of suppliers and they will search to get you the best price in your area. Below are some links to a few sites: -
However it is also well worth looking locally to get a supplier, you could get a very competitive price plus you have the added benefit of building a relationship with the supplier. For instance some local suppliers offer credit terms to loyal customers, with up to 30 days to pay. Imagine filling your car with petrol and paying 30 days later!
To find a local supplier you can use the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) Directory. Its member companies work to a code of conduct. Of course you can also use Yellow Pages, Yell or Google Maps to find local heating oil suppliers. If you are new to an area ask around to see which heating suppliers people use.
2. Buy your heating oil in bulk
Generally speaking the more heating oil you buy the cheaper the price. The smallest quantity is usually 500 litres.
3. Club together to buy heating oil
If you have neighbours that use heating oil then it might be possible to bulk order together and get the benefit of a cheaper price. This doesn’t have to be a formal arrangement, you can just ask about when you are ordering to see if anyone else needs heating oil. Most suppliers will be happy to bill people individually.
4. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
It is tempting to let your oil supply drop low before ordering, so you can buy a bigger volume and get a cheaper price. However be careful not to leave to too late, as most suppliers charge a premium for quick deliveries.
Linked to this it is best to buy oil before the cold weather comes, prices can rise in winter when demand is high. So filling up in summer, even if you are not using much oil, can mean you get a better price. However your ability to time your purchases of heating oil will depend on the size of your tank and the rate at which you use the oil.
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