If your home is not connected to mains gas, which is common in rural North Norfolk and in villages across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, you have a handful of choices for heating. Oil is one of the most common. Whether it is worth it depends on your property and how you want to pay for heat.
Why people choose oil
- No gas connection needed. You store fuel in a tank on your property and have it delivered.
- Powerful and reliable. A modern oil boiler heats a large house and plenty of hot water without trouble.
- Familiar technology. Engineers know it well, and replacing an old oil boiler with a new one is straightforward.
The costs to weigh up
Heating oil is a commodity, so its price moves, sometimes sharply within a season. You also pay for the fuel in bulk rather than monthly, so a delivery can be a big single bill. Many households budget for this by buying a little and often, or by joining an oil-buying group with neighbours.
Compare the real running cost against LPG and electric options using your own usage, not a headline figure. The price per unit of energy tells only half the story. How efficient the boiler is, and how well the house keeps its heat, count just as much.
Efficiency has improved
Modern oil boilers are condensing models, and efficiency is far better than it was on boilers installed 20 or 30 years ago. If your current boiler is old, a replacement could cut your fuel use noticeably, although the size of the saving depends on the age of the old one and the state of the rest of the system. A good installer will tell you honestly what to expect rather than quote a number to win the job.
Things to think about
- Tank. You need space for it, and it must be sited and maintained properly. Oil storage has rules to protect against leaks, so ask about your existing tank's condition.
- Servicing. An oil boiler should be serviced every year by an OFTEC registered engineer. A service keeps it efficient and catches problems early.
- Ordering. You need to keep an eye on the level, and avoid running low in a cold snap.
- Future plans. If you are thinking about other low-carbon options later, mention it at the survey stage, as it can affect what is sensible to fit now.
When oil is a good fit
Oil usually makes sense for larger or older homes with no gas supply, where the existing setup already uses it, and where the tank and pipework are in good order. If you are building new or can connect to gas, the comparison looks different.
We are OFTEC registered and install and replace oil boilers as well as gas ones. If you are unsure whether to stay with oil, talk to us. For a boiler that is already old, our guide on how to tell when an oil boiler needs replacing is a good next read, and our boiler installation page explains the process.
