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Running an oil boiler
An estimated 865,000 homes across the UK are heated with oil boilers. Not only are many of these inefficient compared to other heating solutions, they can also prove costly to run. In addition, the government is introducing a ban on new oil boilers from 2035, putting pressure on households heated in this way to change to a more efficient option. Here, we look at how much it costs to run an oil boiler, and what the alternatives are.
The cost of heating oil
As anyone who fills their car up at the local fuel station knows, oil prices are subject to various external factors that can see them rise significantly with short notice. In 2023, the cost of heating oil ranged from £0.57 per litre in June to £0.82 per litre in December. With the average oil-powered home needing some 1,900 litres per year, annual costs can top £1,500.
Other factors that affect the cost of oil heating include the age and efficiency of your boiler, your preferred home temperature, the extent and efficacy of your insulation, and whether you have an annual oil boiler service.
What are the alternatives?
If you are looking to ditch your oil boiler in the near future, you can consider switching to an air source heat pump. These offer a range of benefits, from lower emissions to impressive efficiency. Let’s explore these further:
Heating an average home with an oil boiler emits in the region of 5,200kg of carbon a year. That’s over two return flights from London to New York. In contrast, a heat pump running on grid electricity emits just 850kg of carbon a year.
- Impressive efficiency
Even with a comprehensive oil boiler care plan that includes regular servicing, your oil boiler will only run at 90-92% efficiency maximum. An air source heat pump, meanwhile, can reach an average efficiency of 340%, producing 3.4 units of heat energy for every unit of electricity that they use.
- Consistent warmth
Households using oil boilers need to be mindful about how long the heating is on for, since the cost of topping up the fuel can be high. As a result you may schedule short blasts of heat in the morning and evening, leaving the house to cool in between. With a heat pump, efficiency is maximised when they maintain a constant temperature of 19-21 degrees, so your home can be warm and comfortable all day for the same price or less.
- Predictable running costs
While the price of electricity has been more volatile than usual in recent years, it is still more stable than the price of oil. With a heat pump you’ll be less at the mercy of global events – and if you have solar panels installed too, you’ll be even more energy independent.
Air source heat pump installation
At Aura Heating, our heating engineers in Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Sussex, Berkshire and London are qualified air source heat pump installers. We’ll assess your heating needs and fit a pump that meets them. As MCS certified installers you can be sure our work meets the strictest safety and quality regulations. Contact us today to find out more.
