Sudden volatility in the global oil market has caused prices to spike sharply (Image: Getty)
Households in the UK have been left without heating and hot water after suppliers cancelled heating oil deliveries as global prices surged during the conflict in the Middle East. More than 1.5 million UK homes are not connected to the gas grid and rely on heating oil to warm their properties.
But sudden volatility in the global oil market has caused prices to spike sharply, with some households reporting increases of up to £100 in just a week. Customers say deliveries have been cancelled at short notice, forcing them to either reorder at much higher prices or risk being left without heating.
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More than 1.5 million UK homes are not connected to the gas grid and rely on heating oil (Image: Getty)
One customer of Certas Energy said their order was cancelled and prices had since tripled compared with what they originally paid.
They said they were still waiting for a refund and had been told it could take up to 15 days for another delivery from a different supplier.
“I will run out of oil before then,” they said. “That means no heating or hot water,” they told The Sun.
Another customer said supplier Watson Fuels left them “high and dry” after a delivery failed to arrive despite placing an order.
“Same as many others, they sent an email saying they can’t deliver the following day, leaving it too late to source from elsewhere,” the customer said.
Users of online marketplace BoilerJuice have also reported similar issues.
One household said they ordered 500 litres of heating oil for £329 on March 4, only to have the order cancelled and be asked to pay an extra £400 to place a new order.
Another customer said their delivery was cancelled on the day it was due to arrive.
“We ordered our oil way before the war even started,” they said.
“We ordered 500 litres for £325. Then they cancelled and asked us to reorder it at £785.”
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A spokesperson for BoilerJuice said the platform does not set prices or cancel deliveries as the contract is between the customer and the supplier.
“We are seeing a small number of cancellations initiated by a few suppliers. The vast majority of orders are being delivered as expected,” they said.
“In instances of delays or cancellations we are working with customers to secure alternative deliveries and minimise the impact.”
Certas Energy said only a small number of deliveries had been affected.
A spokesperson said: “A small number of customer deliveries have been rescheduled. Where this happens, we are honouring the price offered to the customer at the point of the original scheduled delivery.”
The issue has drawn the attention of regulators and ministers.
The Competition and Markets Authority has warned it expects customers who ordered heating oil to receive it at the agreed price and said it “won’t hesitate to take action” if consumer law is being breached.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and energy minister Michael Shanks have also written to the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association seeking answers as the regulator gathers evidence.
Meanwhile Chancellor Rachel Reeves has asked Treasury officials to explore possible support for households reliant on heating oil.
Unlike gas and electricity bills, heating oil prices are not covered by the energy price cap set by Ofgem, leaving many rural households exposed to sudden spikes in global energy markets.
