Rural homes urged to take advantage of oil prices before winter

If you’re one of the 25,000 rural households across Lincolnshire
using oil to keep your home warm, then it’s time to make the most of
cheaper oil prices before the winter rush.

Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC, the trade body for the oil
central heating industry, advises consumers: “The unseasonably warm
September weather might mean that a lot of people haven’t started
thinking about their central heating yet, but now is the crucial time of
year to get your system serviced and to stock up on oil.

“This
involves asking an OFTEC registered technician to service your boiler
and check the oil tank is in good condition to help prevent any
breakdowns when the heating is turned on again. You should also shop
around for a good price before the winter rush when prices can be
higher.”

“Oil is the only central heating fuel to come down in
price in the last three years, providing those living in the county’s
idyllic rural setting with much more competitive and cost effective
heating bills,” he added.

Independent data that compares the costs
of different heating fuels shows that oil was 10 percent cheaper in
July 2014 than three years earlier. In contrast, gas, electricity and
LPG were 28 percent, 24 percent and 2 percent more expensive
respectively within the same time frame.

Malcolm Farrow added:
“Oil really is a sound option for rural properties at the moment, with
the price narrowing between oil and gas significantly and LPG remaining
by far the most expensive off-grid heating fuel, which is currently some
60 percent more expensive than oil”

OFTEC, the UK trade body for
the oil fired heating industry, says oil users can take further measures
to save money and energy by upgrading to a modern condensing oil boiler
or converting to a hybrid system.

Read More: Oil Boiler