Oil-fired central heating

[StatsGirl]

Hello all,

I'm looking at renting a cottage with oil-fired central heating - but I'm completely clueless about it! Can anyone give me an idea of how much it might cost? The cottage is a small two-bed mid-terrace, but it's old and not particularly well insulated, and I obviously wouldn't be able to do anything to improve that as it's rented...

Thanks!

SG

[DaisySteiner]

It's really difficult to say as it will depend a lot on how long you have the central heating on, what temp the thermostat is at, how well insulated it is etc etc. When we were in a property that size I would guess we used about 500 litres of oil a year, but we were pretty frugal. Prices of domestic heating oil have increased a lot now too - about 60p a litre compared with 17p when we first started buying it. On the other hand, having to pay for a big lot upfront every time you order does give you and incentive to keep the thermostat low!

[CPtart]

We have oil fired central heating and use perhaps 1000 - 1500 litres of oil a year. Our last 500 litres (last week) cost us just over £300 although oil prices are currently high, (it has been half this last year though). We have a 4 bed well insulated property and average use I would say. The tips are to;

1. Always ring round for quotes, they do vary!
   
2. Keep the thermostat as low as you can tolerate.
   
3. Fill the tank when oil prices are low.
   
4. CHECK OIL LEVELS REGULARLY. We have run out more than once and it can cost over £100 to get someone out to prime the system.

[SingingTunelessly]

Agree it's hard to say. Does the oil have to heat the hot water as well? Oil is VERY expensive at the moment. We have an oil-fired Aga as well.

[Littlefish]

Last August we paid approx 39p per litre. In December we were quoted 79p per litre

We paid £1800 for oil last year (about 3500 - 4000 litres), but that's for a large 5 bedroom house. However, it is well insulated, with brand new double glazed windows throughout.

Can you speak to the letting agent to find out how much the previous tenants were paying for fuel?

[StatsGirl]

Thanks everyone - thats really helpful :)