Why Has The Uk Seen Higher Domestic Oil Prices Over The Past Number Of Years?

By Author: Andrew Higgins
Total Articles: 6
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Over the past number of years heating oil prices have risen significantly in the UK, the main instigating factor being the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At Value Oils we watch heating oil prices on a daily basis and are often asked by our customers what factors are affecting domestic heating oil prices and kerosene prices. What has caused oil prices to rise over the last number of years? A number of additional factors influence heating oil prices from Government Policies, the exchange rate and other world events (amongst many other reasons). The price of oil has in fact been declining significantly for the past 18 months although political unrest in Ukraine and the Middle East has seen oil prices rise sharply (often rising around 3 pence per litre) in the short term.


What other factors influence kerosene prices?


Supply and demand is a key factor which drives oil prices, especially aviation demand, demand in the Far East and USA as well as stocks held in the USA. On average, heating oil users in the UK purchase between 2,000 ...
... to 5,000 liters of heating oil (kerosene) annually to keep their home warm. Going from year to year we have seen differences of up to 30% in the amount of oil which customers use to heat their homes annually, mainly down to the mild winter in 2013/14, although many customers have also began to implement various energy efficiency measures in their home to reduce their heating oilusage.


Interest rates also have some effect on pricing however, the impact from interest rates normally tends to be fairly minimal. They could affect oil prices short term, especially if the Bank of England was to announce an increase in interest rate, but it is unlikely that this would affect prices over the longer term.


How to keep your heating oil bills down


There are a number of ways which you can help keep your heating bills down, some don’t cost much while others can be extremely expensive and you must weigh up the cost vs. saving. Some low cost methods include buying insulated curtains, draft excluders, chimney balloons etc. While more expensive options include replacing an old boiler with a new condensing boiler, having walls insulated and installing double glazing. As mentioned earlier, the price of oil has been declining for the last 18 months so now may be a good time to fill the tank. Keep in mind though that prices may continue to fall. Also bear in mind that the more you order the lower the pence per litre rate generally tends to be, so if you can afford to purchase a large quantity take advantage of these savings.


About Us: Get an instant domestic or commercial heating oil quote now from ValueOils.com - the UK's leading on-line independent home heating oil supplier, headquartered in Belfast. By utilising our extensive network of quality heating oil suppliers, we are able to offer you competitive heating oil prices, fast delivery, and customer satisfaction all year round, no matter where in the UK or Northern Ireland you are based. ValueOils.com are able to offer our customers cheap heatingoil every day by streamlining our operations and reducing our overheads – these savings are then passed directly on to you the customer. For more information on how we offer the cheapest oil at the cheapest prices, available the day you order it, visit us at: www.valueoils.com