Home Heating Oil Most Expensive In County Clare - NCA

Tuesday, 28 September 2010 11:12

Written by Noel Cotter

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) today published the findings of a survey of prices charged across the country for the supply and delivery of 1,000 litres of home heating oil.

The pricing information was collected on 3 September last from 134 home heating oil suppliers, servicing 21 distinct delivery areas nationwide and offers a useful snapshot of the kind of deals that can be secured by simply shopping around.

This is the latest of the NCA’s rolling programme of price surveys targeting a wide range of goods and services relevant to consumers’ everyday needs. The results show that the average price for 1,000 litres of kerosene across all survey locations nationwide was €670, or 0.67c per litre, inclusive of VAT.

However, price variations around this average were striking - consumers in Ennis, County Clare buying on the day of the survey would, on average, have paid €696 while the lowest average price (€655) was recorded in County Louth (Drogheda). Nationally, the lowest price (€640) was recorded in the Sligo and Galway County North areas, but the highest price quoted was in Dublin South, where one supplier was charging €720.

Looking at the range of prices, the study shows that:
* 7 out of the 21 areas surveyed had a price variation of €20 or less
* 4 out of 21 areas had a price variation of €40 or more, with Dublin South recording the highest variation between the lowest and the highest prices quoted of €71.

Commenting on the report, Maria Hurley, Director of Research, Policy and Communications at the NCA, Said: “The survey shows that consumers can make savings on their home heating costs with just a couple of quick and simple phone calls.

“We deliberately confined our enquiries to delivery areas close to suppliers’ premises. However consumers may find that they can access greater savings by simply casting the net a little wider than their local area when checking prices for their home heating fuel, as many suppliers may be willing to deliver further afield. These results are good news for any consumers who are concerned about the rising cost of home heating oil, particularly as we come into winter.”

Ms Hurley added: “Home heating oil is no different to other purchases – it may be possible to strike a better deal by haggling with your usual, or a prospective, supplier for a better price – the most it can cost to find out what you could save is the price of a phone call.”

As well as shopping around, consumers can save on heating bills by reducing energy consumption.

Read tips and information on how to become more energy efficient

Download the full report and accompanying tables here