New to heating oil?

Heating oil, commonly referred to as home heating oil, is a petroleum-based liquid fuel used to power oil-fired central heating systems in homes. This type of oil is burned in an oil burner to heat water, which then circulates through pipes and radiators to provide warmth throughout the house. Unlike homes connected to the national gas grid, over one million households in the UK rely on heating oil as their primary means of heat, making them "off-grid".

There are different types of heating oil available for domestic use, with the two main examples being standard kerosene (also known as 28-second oil or home heating oil) and premium kerosene. Standard kerosene is widely used in UK households for heating purposes, while premium kerosene offers cleaner burning and improved efficiency compared to standard kerosene. Premium heating oil can potentially lower boiler maintenance costs, reduce sludge formation, improve fuel performance, and lower the risk of boiler breakdowns.

Kerosene's non-corrosive nature and ability to be safely stored for extended periods make it an ideal choice for domestic heating systems, providing reliable and efficient heating for off-grid homes across the UK.

Home heating oil, used by around 1.5 million UK households, burns cleanly and efficiently, providing reliable heat even in cold winters. Watson Fuels delivers high-quality heating oil backed by industry expertise, ensuring optimal performance and comfort for your central heating system.

Although some domestic boilers use gas oil, the vast majority of oil-fired boilers and oil-fired cookers are fuelled by kerosene. Kerosene has a few different names; you may hear home heating oil, heating oil, and burning oil all being used interchangeably.

At Watson Fuels, we offer Kerosene and Premium Kerosene (home heating oil that has been treated with specialist fuel additives designed to help improve fuel economy*). If you are unsure which type of oil your heating system or range uses, a member of our team will be more than happy to advise you.

Heating oil is not only a popular choice for heating off-grid homes throughout the UK, but it's also recognised as one of the safest fuel options available. Unlike gas, heating oil is not explosive and will not burn in its liquid state, enhancing its safety profile.

However, it's essential to ensure the ongoing safety and efficiency of your oil central heating system by scheduling annual servicing for your boiler. A faulty boiler can pose risks, including the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning, and regular servicing allows for early detection of issues before they escalate. Find out more about our boiler servicing options.

There are approximately 1.5m homes in the UK that use heating oil in the UK. For England and Wales, Census 2021 showed oil was the primary source of central heating for 0.8 million households in England and Wales, which is equivalent to 3.5% of all households. The affordability and safety of home heating oil contributes to its enduring appeal as a heating solution for many households across the country.

The cost of heating oil in the UK fluctuates almost daily due to various factors. These include political conflicts, foreign exchange rates, weather conditions, and heating oil delivery costs. In general, heating oil prices can be lower during the summer months, making it the ideal time to top up your tank.

Heating oil is different than mains gas in that it requires users to order periodic top-ups throughout the year. This can be challenging for homeowners, who may need to find lump sums each time. Watson Fuels’ monthly payment scheme is an excellent option to help spread the cost of annual heating oil use over 12 monthly Direct Debit payments. You can use our online calculator to help assess your monthly cost.

Determining how much heating oil a house uses in a year can vary significantly based on several factors specific to your home and heating system. These factors include the size and age of your house, the heating requirements of your household, the insulation quality, the duration of your heating use, room distribution, fuel quality, boiler efficiency, and the condition of your oil boiler. The weather, and the outside air temperature in your location for a given period, will also significantly affect the quantity of heating oil a home may use during a year. Given these variables, it's challenging to provide an exact figure.

You can calculate the amount you’ll need if you know how much energy you use in a year, as one litre of kerosene provides about 10.35 kWh of energy. The average UK household consumes around 21,000 kWh of energy per year for heating, thus translating to approximately 2,000 litres of heating oil. But this figure will vary greatly depending on your individual household circumstances.

When storing heating oil, it's crucial to adhere to UK regulations to ensure safety and minimise environmental risks. The oil tank itself should be located outside the house in a shed, garage, or open area away from sources of heat or ignition. Failure to comply with regulation can result in criminal penalties, fines, or cleanup costs in the event of an oil spill, but we are happy to walk you through everything you need to know.

Find out more about storage regulation on our heating oil tank & delivery standards page.

Running out of heating oil is a common worry for heating oil users, especially during the winter months when it’s important to stay stocked up. But there are simple solutions that give you complete control over your tank’s oil level. Our Tankscout fuel monitoring system is the easiest way to manage your home heating oil use. Tankscout links into our myWatson online portal and mobile app, which means that you can keep an eye on your fuel levels anytime, anywhere.

Find out more about Tankscout fuel monitoring system

Yes, heating oil does have a distinct smell that can be noticeable indoors. The smell of heating oil in your house can stem from various issues within your heating system. For instance, leaks in central heating systems, including tanks, pipes, or connections, can release the odour of heating oil into indoor spaces. These leaks may result from corrosion, damage, or regular wear and tear in system components.

Additionally, problems with oil furnaces or boilers, such as incomplete combustion or inadequate airflow, can also lead to the noticeable scent of heating oil indoors. Moreover, heating oil spills during tank refills can leave a lingering smell that persists indoors unless properly cleaned and maintained. It's important to promptly address the source of the odour to ensure a safe and healthy indoor environment.

Yes, regular servicing of your heating oil boiler is essential to ensure its safe and efficient operation. By scheduling an annual oil boiler service, you can identify and address any potential issues before they become dangerous for your home. Neglecting regular servicing could lead to inefficient heating, increased energy bills, and potentially costly repairs or even the need for a new oil boiler in case of irreparable damage.

Find out more about our boiler maintenance service.

The most crucial way to keep your heating oil use down is to regularly service your boiler, to be sure it’s running the most efficiently and safely. Learn more about maintaining your boiler's performance.

There are a number of regulations to keep in mind when storing home heating oil, but we can help guide you through all the steps you need to take.

As a heating oil user, it’s your responsibility to look after the fuel storage tank on your property. Spills and leaks can be extremely costly to clean up and can contaminate ground water supplies and even building foundations. It’s also important to check whether your home insurance covers fuel spills or leaks and whether there are any stipulations or limitations to your policy.

Find out more about how you can store liquid fuel safely and your responsibilities as a heating oil user here >

We offer a variety of convenient ways to buy heating oil. You can call your local Watson sales depot and pay by debit or credit card, or use the myWatson mobile app and online portal to place orders 24/7. Alternatively, you can sign up to the Watson Fuels Monthly Payment Scheme and spread the cost of heating your home.

Find out how to spread your costs with our monthly payment scheme.

The first thing you’ll need to know is the capacity of your heating oil tank, which will help you understand how much to order. Your tank’s capacity will often be listed on the side of your tank, or you can work this out by taking the measurements of a metal tank, or by locating the model number on a plastic tank. You should also make sure that your boiler and tank have been recently serviced by a qualified engineer.

You’ll also need to understand your current tank level and how much heating oil you have left. This goes hand in hand with recognising and monitoring your daily/weekly usage pattern and when you might need a top up, especially factoring in the lead times for deliveries at any given time. Using our Tankscout fuel monitoring system is the easiest way to monitor and manage your home heating oil levels, with a direct link into our myWatson online portal and mobile app that allows you to keep an eye on your fuel levels anytime, anywhere.

With Watson Fuels and most distributors, the minimum quantity you can order is 500 litres. But larger quantities of heating oil are usually cheaper to purchase per litre than smaller quantities. Using our Tankscout monitoring system, you will have the most accurate reading of your tank capacity, and be able to make an informed decision on how much heating oil to order.

If you want to order a larger quantity and spread the cost into smaller manageable amounts, you can join our Monthly Payment Scheme. Find out more about our Monthly Payment Scheme here.

Heating liquid fuel prices fluctuate due to a multitude of factors, many of which are beyond the control of fuel distributors. This can include weather conditions, supply dynamics, and global events impacting crude oil prices. For instance, during colder months when heating demand rises, heating oil prices tend to increase. Hence, historically, the best time to buy heating oil has often been during the warmer months when demand is lower, allowing homeowners to secure better prices and avoid seasonal spikes.

To optimise savings on heating oil, you should also consider proactive measures like regular boiler servicing to ensure efficiency and prevent costly repairs, ultimately maximising the value of your heating investment.

Find out more about boiler service price plans.

When considering alternatives to heating oil, especially for off-grid homes, renewable liquid fuels like HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) are an emerging solution. HVO offers up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional kerosene, making it a significant step towards lowering carbon footprints.

Importantly, HVO is just as efficient in your existing heating system, presenting a cost-effective and practical option for homeowners seeking to decarbonise without major structural changes. As part of the Future Ready Fuel campaign, Watson Fuels is actively trailing HVO in partnership with selected customers and at their own depots, with plans to expand trials pending government approval.

Read more about this option at our Future Ready Fuel campaign page.

To help reduce your overall carbon footprint, Watson Fuels offers carbon offset solutions that enable you to compensate for emissions associated with your fuel consumption. Carbon offsetting involves supporting projects that reduce or capture an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases elsewhere, effectively balancing out your carbon impact.

One option is to upgrade to carbon offset fuel, where a small additional cost per litre goes towards accredited projects that offset the carbon emissions of your fuel use. These offsets support verified international projects, such as renewable energy initiatives in India, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to energy access and climate action.

Learn more about carbon offsetting.