Since the start of March, heating-oil prices in the UK have risen sharply due to increases in global oil and kerosene wholesale prices linked to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. As wholesale kerosene prices have risen rapidly, these increases have moved through the supply chain to distributors and ultimately to customers.
We know many customers are concerned about recent heating-oil price increases and how they may affect existing orders. To provide clarity, we’ve answered some of the most common questions below.
Why Are Prices Changing So Quickly for Customers?
As a distributor, we typically hold only one or two days’ stock of heating oil. NWF Fuels and associated brands are therefore exposed to the same market price increases as our customers.
Due to the current situation in the Middle East, the global price of aviation fuel — which is the same fuel used as heating oil in the UK — has risen faster than both crude oil and petrol or diesel.
Can you give me a price today?
Rapid and significant fluctuations in oil prices mean we cannot set a fixed pence per litre at the time of ordering. Pricing shortly before delivery allows us to provide the most accurate and fair price.
We will take your order now, so our routing team can plan deliveries and secure your order. Before your fuel is delivered, we’ll contact you with your price. You can then:
-
Approve the order before payment is taken
-
Cancel the order if needed
-
Adjust the delivery quantity
This ensures you get the most accurate price without delaying your delivery.
Currently, we’re only taking orders over the phone or via email, we are not taking online orders at this time.
What is the Minimum Quantity I Can Order?
Our minimum order is 500 litres, which helps us manage deliveries efficiently and keep prices fair for all customers.
Do you have a Planned Delivery with us?
If you have a planned delivery or automated top-up agreement with us, you are able to pause this at any time given the current circumstances. We’ll be happy to discuss reducing the volume you need or create a new schedule for you moving forward, until the market stabilises.
What Are My Payment and Ordering Options?
During the current crisis, with highly volatile oil prices, customers who do not have credit or a direct debit with us are asked to make a pre-authorised payment, to secure their order. This shows as a pending transaction on your card. We will contact you before the delivery to inform you of the actual price and we’ll never take more than the value we have pre-authorised.
If you have a direct debit with us or credit terms, you can pay after the delivery, in the normal way.
You can also ask us to setup these terms for you, so you are able to pay in this way. Any credit applications will require a credit check before they are approved.
We also offer a range of flexible payment and ordering options, including contract services, automated ordering, monthly payment plans, and more, designed to suit different customer needs.
[Find more information and enquire about our heating services here.]
How is the UK Government Responding to the Crisis?
The UK Government, via Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement, has confirmed financial support for the most vulnerable households using heating oil. The package is aimed at helping those hit hardest by recent global price increases linked to the Middle East conflict.
This is not controlled by suppliers of heating oil, but we are happy to share any updates we receive. Support is available now through your local authority, you can find more information below:
How the support works
- Support is available now through your local authority.
- Funding sits within each authority’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaces the Household Support Fund.
- Help is aimed at vulnerable households in crisis who need support with heating costs.
- Not every household using heating oil will be eligible – support is targeted at those most in need
What to do next
- Visit your local authority’s website or contact them directly if you think you may be eligible for support.
- Be alert to scams.
- Councils will not cold‑call asking for bank details or payments.
- Do not share personal or banking information with anyone claiming to offer early access to funding.
How the Government has allocated the funding
To support oil‑heated homes, the UK Government has provided £27 million to local authorities across England. This funding has been shared out based on:
- How many households in each area rely on heating oil
- Levels of deprivation in each local authority
- Whether at least 1% of homes use heating oil (these areas receive a direct allocation)