With unpredictable weather and the continuing cost of living pressures, the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) have launched their Be Winter Wise campaign – a five-point plan to help heating oil users plan ahead for winter 2023-2024.
The campaign aims to provide guidance for the 1.7m off gas grid households, offering helpful reminders and useful advice to encourage them to save energy, get the best out of their heating and prepare for uncertainty.
Ken Cronin, CEO of UKIFDA, says, “Our advice is to buy early. Often people use more than they anticipate during poor summers and leave it to the last minute to order. Our distributors are used to planning and managing the complex supply process, but unpredictability can disrupt delivery.”
“During the busy winter months, an emergency delivery can be costly, and it is not always possible for distributors to make this type of delivery, so planning ahead is essential.”
OFTEC Chief Executive Paul Rose commented, “To ensure efficient operation, I recommend booking an OFTEC registered technician to service liquid fuel-fired heating and cooking systems annually. This can reduce fuel bills and save money on costly call out fees for unexpected breakdowns. Before becoming OFTEC registered, heating technicians must undergo training and are regularly inspected to make sure they work competently.”
The Be Winter Wise campaign also offers information about UKIFDA’s Cold Weather Priority (CWP) scheme, which identifies those most at risk from the cold and takes proactive steps to prioritise deliveries to them. UKIFDA customers aged 75 or over are eligible to join the CWP scheme, which will cost them nothing. They simply ask their usual UKIFDA heating oil supplier to include them in it.
The campaign also provides resources for heating oil users who are struggling to pay for their oil, including the Government’s Help For Households campaign and its Help With Your Energy Bills guide offers helpful advice on this year’s Winter Fuel and Cold Weather payments.
UKIFDA recommends contacting local distributors early for the best pricing and payment options. Find a nearby distributor at https://ukifda.org/find-a-distributor/.
26th September 2023
