Many of us have watched the escalating conflict unfold in the Middle East with concern, if not alarm. And, quite apart from the devastating human cost, inevitably some are thinking of the impact of the war on the UK, including on the cost of living and, in particular, energy bills.
The war has, for example, created general uncertainty across global oil markets, since so much of the world’s oil is transported through the region.
Crucially, Ofgem’s price cap does not cover heating oil, exposing consumers to market volatility and leaving prices varying considerably.
So those who rely on heating oil face potentially huge bill hikes as prices surged by more than 113% in the middle of March 2026, due to the disruption of supply and transportation routes such as key shipping lane the Strait of Hormuz.
The Guardian, for example, reported that some customers who typically paid 62p a litre before the conflict are now seeing quotes of around £1.73. At the same time, with rising wholesale prices, orders have been cancelled for some customers, while others have found it hard to identify suppliers who are willing to deliver to them.
In one example seen by the Guardian of a charity in rural Derbyshire, its supplier was limiting orders to 500 litres per household – generally that’s the minimum possible order.
The charity’s chief executive Emma Simpson commented: “People who rely on heating oil are facing a sudden and frightening surge in cost. We may be heading into spring, but anyone running low on oil right now doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for prices to fall.”
She added that some people are panic buying, piling even more pressure on pricing, even though costs would usually start to dip with the approach of summer.
What’s more, heating oil is kerosene-based, as is jet fuel, a commodity which has a high price across Europe. (Its wholesale price has more than doubled since the conflict in the Middle East, Which? reports.) In addition, the cost of this fuel has climbed more steeply than that of crude oil.
Industry regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has insisted that suppliers must treat their customers fairly, and that they should honour agreed prices on orders previously placed. Equally, costs should be clear and transparent, with fair terms.
The CMA is also investigating any suppliers who may be price gouging – or hiking up prices on vital goods or services to levels which are unethical, if not illegal. This often happens during a state of emergency, pandemic or natural disaster, and takes advantage of high demand and low supply.
What heating oil support is available?
The UK government’s £53m support package has been launched to help households who face rocketing heating oil costs. This assistance was due to kick in on April 1. It incorporates £27m from the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for England, with further specific funds allocated for Scotland (£4.6m), Wales (£3.8m) and Northern Ireland (£17m).
The help is mainly aimed at households with vulnerable members or who are on a low income, especially in the countryside.
Local authorities will distribute the funds from April 1, typically via the CRF. So anyone who wants to enquire about applying for support should contact their local council in the first instance. If you need help more urgently, your authority may be able to offer emergency funding from its existing resources.
What else can I do?
- Follow news from reliable services including Money Saving Expert, the BBC and others, and look for updates from independent sources such as consumer group Which?
- Check with your supplier about their most recent prices. However, some may not be able to quote a set price when you order since the situation is changing so quickly.
- Think about timing. You may decide to buy greater quantities of oil now, while you can, before charges rise yet further, if you’re able to do so. One alternative is to wait until the situation stabilises before placing your order. It’s a tricky balance to strike, especially if you need oil immediately.
- Keep an eye on what the government is doing. The UK government is aware of and monitoring the situation and may introduce further support. So be clear at all times about what help you may be entitled to.
- As with anything else, regularly compare as many quotes as you can from different suppliers. And check whether you will be locked into a contract.
Contact LV Fuel Services
Now, more than ever, your heating oil tank needs to be properly maintained and cleaned to make the most of your heating oil supplies and to avoid potentially highly expensive leakages.
LV Fuel Services has provided great-value, reliable and effective solutions UK-wide for more than 25 years, including cleaning and maintenance, for both commercial and domestic customers.
If you need heating oil urgently and are struggling with your current supplier, we offer a national emergency delivery service, so that you stay warm, and operate an entire fleet of delivery vehicles.
What’s more we can help in an emergency if your tank is leaking – clearly the last thing you want to happen right now.
Finally, the warmer months are clearly the best time of year to decommission and replace your tank if you need to, well ahead of the autumn and winter. Again, we can assist.
Of course, no one can predict what will happen in the Middle East, how long the conflict will go on for, or how heating oil prices will be affected longer-term. But now is a great time to take stock of your situation if you use this fuel, and to make sure you’re getting the best possible value.
We’re here to help. Email info@lvfuelservices.couk or call 0800 799 9739.
