Written by
Jenna Culy
on 24 Nov 2025
and updated on
27 Jan 2026
Categorised in
Tips and Advice
Understanding how much heating oil your home uses helps you plan ahead and avoid running out during winter. Heating oil requirements depend on factors such as your home size, boiler efficiency, and how long winter actually lasts.
Calculating your typical usage in advance, especially in summer when demand is lower, allows you to order the right amount and keep your home warm through the colder months.
The average household with an oil-fired boiler can use anywhere from 900 to 3,000 litres of heating oil per year. This amount can vary based on usual heating requirements, the size of the home, insulation quality, boiler efficiency, and household habits.
Between October and February 2024, 35% of customers placed only one 500 litre heating oil order, highlighting that ordering behaviour doesn’t always reflect total winter usage - a 500 litre order may simply be a mid-season top-up rather than a full refill. During the same period, 26% of customers ordered between 900 and 1,100 litres.
To avoid running low during the winter months - when demand is higher and delivery times may be longer - it’s always best to order as much as you can comfortably store.
Planning ahead and topping up your heating oil during the summer, when demand is lower, helps you prevent running out of oil. This reduces the risk of losing heating and avoids the need for a boiler restart once fuel is delivered.
| Average Yearly Oil Usage (Litres) | BoilerJuice PPL |
|---|---|
| 500 | £301 |
| 900 | £541.80 |
| 1000 | £602 |
| 1100 | £662.20 |
As a rough guide, heating oil use varies a lot with the weather. At milder temperatures around 16°C, a medium-sized UK home may use under 2–3 litres per day. In colder winter conditions around 6°C, this can rise to 5–15 litres or more per day.
Monitoring your heating oil helps you plan deliveries in advance and avoid running low during colder months. Most suppliers require a minimum order of 500 litres, and domestic oil tanks usually store between 1,000 and 2,700 litres. Because every household uses energy differently, it’s smart to check your tank regularly - or consider getting a Smart Monitor to keep an even closer eye on your oil levels.
Not signed up to Connected yet? Our smart monitoring service doesn’t just track your tank levels - it can automatically place an order for you when your oil starts to run low. With Connected, you can rely on hassle-free, automatic top-ups so you never have to worry about running out again.
Heating oil usage often increases during winter, especially over the festive period when colder weather and additional guests can raise demand. When arranging your heating oil delivery consider your home size, household needs, and any visitors to ensure you have enough fuel to stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter months.
The duration of heating oil depends on your household, usage, and climate. Many homes use around 500 litres over a six-month period, but this can vary significantly, especially in colder weather. In fact, during winter, 500 litres can be used in just over one month, as heating systems work much harder to keep the home warm.
Exposure to air and moisture can affect the quality of your heating oil over time. Using premium fuel or additives and keeping your tank full and clean can help maintain performance. If your oil has been sitting for a long period, it's a good idea to have it inspected or tested before use.
To avoid running out of heating oil and to save money on costly emergency deliveries, there are a few simple steps you can take to stay prepared:
Get into the habit of ordering in advance when you have a quarter of a tank of heating oil remaining. Most oil suppliers are happy to arrange delivery for you based on your summer and winter usage and will automatically deliver within 14 working days so that you don’t run out of heating oil.
If you’re on a tight budget, covering the cost of a full heating oil delivery in one go can be challenging. With the BoilerJuice Payment Plan, you can spread the cost by setting aside an affordable amount each month, ready for your next order. This removes last-minute pressure and makes budgeting much easier.
Regular servicing keeps your boiler running efficiently, helping your heating oil go further and reducing energy costs. It also helps keep your home safe by reducing the risk of carbon monoxide leaks.
Safety is also an important benefit. A faulty boiler can pose risks such as carbon monoxide leaks, so making sure your gas or oil boiler is serviced regularly provides added peace of mind for you and your family.
The winter months are the busiest time of year for heating oil orders, as demand increases and prices often rise. To avoid higher winter rates and longer delivery times, it’s best not to leave your order until the last minute.
Whenever possible, try to order heating oil outside of peak season, such as during the spring or autumn months, when prices are typically lower and deliveries are faster. Planning ahead helps you save money, stay warm, and avoid the stress of running low during cold weather.
During the winter months, colder weather and increased demand can sometimes affect delivery times. To stay prepared, it’s best to place your order early and allow a little extra time for delivery during busy or severe weather periods.
You can choose from multiple delivery options when ordering with us. Ranging from 10 days to next day or even nominated Saturday delivery.
Here’s a breakdown of our delivery options:
BoilerJuice works with a trusted network of local suppliers to ensure your heating oil arrives safely and as quickly as possible. For extra peace of mind, you can also sign up to Connected, which automatically tracks your oil levels and arranges top-ups when needed - so you never have to worry about running low.
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