Guide to oil central heating

A massive 4.3m houses the UK are not connected to the mains gas network, for many of these households the answer is oil central heating – find out more here.

Oil heating is good for homes not on the gas mains

How does oil central heating work?

Oil central heating is normally used in a ‘wet’ heating system where an oil-fired boiler heats water, which provides central heating through radiators and heats up the water that is delivered to the hot water points (e.g. taps) in your household.

The major difference between oil and gas central heating, is that oil is delivered by road and stored in a tank, which you may have to buy or rent from your supplier. This additional cost could be off-putting if you are on a budget and are looking to save money.

Both heat-only and combination condensing oil fired boilers are available. The majority of oil-fired combination boilers have an internal hot water store to supply domestic hot water, rather than the instant heating that is more common in gas boilers, although these are available too. A minimum seasonal efficiency (SEDBUK) value of 86% is required by building regulations. An 'A rated' boiler has a minimum SEDBUK of 90% (and would be condensing).

How much does oil powered heating and hot water cost?

This depends on what type of boiler you opt for but not including installation costs, it would be approximately:

• Condensing boiler: £750
• Standard boiler: £1,000

These yearly costs are estimated based on the heating and hot water demands of a three-bed, semi-detached, well insulated house. It is advisable to add on around £50-£100 for annual maintenance.

How many tonnes of carbon emissions does oil heating produce per year?

Again, it depends on the type of boiler you choose:

• Condensing boiler: 5 tonnes
• Standard boiler: 6.5 tonnes

What are the advantages of oil central heating?

• The biggest and most attractive advantage for installing oil central heating is the fact that oil is a very efficient fuel, so you will enjoy a good return on every unit of energy.
• Oil heating is a good option if your household is not connected to the mains gas network (often rural properties)

What are the disadvantages of oil central heating?

• Oil is expensive and is likely to rise in cost.
• As oil is delivered by road there is a possibility that you could run out while you wait for your next delivery. Usually it is monitored and your supplier will be notified.
• Installing an oil central heating system from scratch can be expensive and disruptive. The storage tank can also be a bit of an eyesore but you could always get an underground one.
• These boilers will need servicing every year to make sure they run as well as they should do.
• Most condensing oil-fired boilers are floor standing, wall mounted models are not that common; this can eat up a lot of space if you’re limited.
• Oil-fired boilers will need to be plumbed in to allow acidic condensate liquid to drain away.
• Oil boilers tend to limit the hot water flow rate to allow the water to be as hot as it should be, meaning that the hot water flow rate is lower than its counterparts and that hot water will decline with use.
• Oil is not considered a clean source of energy.

How much will oil-fired central heating cost?

The Energy Saving Trust suggests that it would cost around £3500 - £4500 for a full oil-fired heating system with radiators and controls. Installation of tank would be around £2800 (including installation of base and pipe work).