Written by
Jenna Culy
on 06 Jan 2026
and updated on
06 Jan 2026
Categorised in
Tips and Advice
Winter can create several challenges for homes that use heating oil, including increased risk of oil tank damage and potential delivery delays during cold weather.
Preparing your oil-heated home in advance can help prevent disruption, protect your fuel supply, and ensure reliable heating throughout the winter months.
Below are practical steps to help heating-oil households stay warm, avoid unexpected issues, and maintain reliable heating throughout winter:
The best time to buy heating oil is during the summer, when demand is lower and prices are typically cheaper. Buying early allows you to top up your tank before colder weather arrives, helping reduce costs and lower the risk of running out during colder weather.
Changing temperatures in autumn and winter can worsen existing damage to heating oil tanks . Regularly check for cracks, rust, bulging, distortion, and loose or damaged caps and filling points to prevent leaks, water contamination, pipe blockages, and costly boiler damage.
Your boiler is vital to keeping your home warm during winter. Preparing it for the extra workload reduces the risk of breakdowns. Ideally, it should be serviced once a year by an OFTEC technician to ensure safe operation.
Heating oil theft increases in winter, particularly in rural areas. Reduce the risk with secure tank placement, motion-sensor lighting or alarms, an oil tank lock such as the Oil Tank Locking Filler Cap , and appropriate insurance.
If a household is experiencing a heating emergency, the first priority is to check oil levels, ensure the boiler has power, and look for any visible issues with the oil tank, pipework, or fittings. If fuel is low or has run out, arranging a delivery as soon as possible is essential, particularly during winter when demand and delivery times can increase.
If the heating system does not restart safely, contacting a qualified heating engineer is recommended rather than attempting repairs. To reduce the risk of future emergencies, households should keep their oil tank topped up, service their boiler regularly, and plan ahead for colder weather.
These steps can help restore heating quickly and maintain a warm, safe home during winter.
Getting your heating oil system ready well before temperatures drop can make a big difference when winter arrives. Early attention helps avoid last-minute breakdowns, support smoother operation, and keeps energy use under control, so your home stays consistently warm when you need it most.
When you’re ready to look at your options, a quote can help you get started.
With energy costs remaining high, taking control of your heating oil spend has never been more important. You can reduce costs and stay ahead of price rises by planning your order strategically.
With ongoing pressure on energy prices, maximising the efficiency of your heating oil has never been more important. By taking a few proactive steps, you can reduce consumption, improve performance, and lower your overall heating costs.
Heating oil prices fluctuate daily depending on factors such as global oil markets, weather conditions, regional demand, and delivery availability. This means prices can vary between locations and even between suppliers. View the latest live heating oil prices in your area and discover practical ways to save on your next order .
