Heating oil this winter: help for Forest Row homes

28 September 2026

Many homes in and around Forest Row are off the gas grid and heated by oil. East Sussex County Council estimates around 13,000 households across the county rely on oil alone. With tanks due for a refill, now is a good moment to plan ahead.

Why heating oil costs more this year

Heating oil is made from crude oil, so its price follows world markets. This spring, conflict disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz pushed fossil fuel prices up around the world. The House of Commons Library reports that the average UK price of home heating oil roughly doubled between late February and mid-March 2026, from about 60 pence to over 120 pence per litre, and the Competition and Markets Authority found that most of the rise came from wholesale costs rather than supplier profits.

Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil has no price cap, because reviews have found its market of many independent distributors generally competitive. In July the Competition and Markets Authority recommended stronger protections for oil customers during volatile periods, including minimum standards on pricing and cancellations.

A simple winter plan for oil-heated homes

The heating oil trade body, the UK and Ireland Fuel Distribution Association, updated its winter guidance on 22 September. Its advice is straightforward:

• Check your tank level regularly, and reorder before it runs low rather than when it is nearly empty.
• Aim to keep at least 500 litres in the tank, so a cold snap, a spike in demand or a delivery delay never leaves you without heat.
• Get quotes from more than one supplier, and read the order terms, including what happens if prices move between ordering and delivery.
• Ask neighbours whether there is a community oil buying group nearby. Ordering together can bring the price per litre down.

Keeping the heat in matters as much as buying the fuel. Loft insulation and draught-proofing mean every litre goes further, whatever you heat with.

Help if paying for oil is a struggle

Part of the government's heating oil support is available now across East Sussex, through Citizens Advice 1066. You may be eligible if oil is your main source of heating, you are on a low income, and you are at immediate risk of being unable to heat your home or get hot water. You can:

• call 0800 464 7307
• text WARMHOME to 88440
• use the online energy self-referral form and tick "heating oil"

For wider, impartial advice, the Centre for Sustainable Energy runs a free energy advice line. Our grants page sets out other schemes that may apply to your home.

The longer view: moving off oil

For many oil-heated homes, a heat pump is now the most common route away from oil. Homes replacing an oil or liquefied petroleum gas boiler can get a Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of 9,000 pounds towards an Air Source or Ground Source Heat Pump, fitted by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme certified installer. Demand is strong: government statistics published on 24 September show August was the second-busiest month for applications since the scheme opened in 2022.

Pros of switching from oil to a heat pump

• Electricity is price capped, and oil is not, so running costs are more predictable.
• No tank to monitor, refill or keep secure.
• A well-designed system in a well-insulated home is efficient and lower carbon.

Cons and things to weigh up

• Upfront cost is still significant, even after the grant.
• Older, draughty homes may need insulation work first to get the best results.
• It takes planning: a heat loss survey, the right-sized radiators, and sometimes a planning check in the High Weald or a conservation area.

Keeping your oil system well serviced this winter while you plan for next year is a perfectly sensible approach.

What this means for Forest Row

Oil will keep many village homes warm this winter. The practical steps are the same for everyone: keep a sensible reserve, compare prices, keep the heat in, and ask for help early. It is also a good time to find out whether your home would suit a heat pump in future.

Your next step: send us your latest bill, oil invoice or any quote through our quotes and bills review for a free suitability pre-check. It also helps to look up your home's Energy Performance Certificate on the government register, as it is a quick way to see where heat may be escaping. When you are ready to compare installers, start with our audited local suppliers. You are also welcome to bring any question to our next drop-in on Saturday 17 October, 11:30 to 13:30, at Forest Row Community Centre (the Rose Room).

← All news   Get free advice