A growing number of households in the UK are recognised as living in fuel poverty, and for those who rely on domestic heating oil there are added reasons that fuel poverty is a serious issue. Oil fired central heating systems remain common in many rural areas of Britain, and particularly in the remoter outlying areas. With current heating oil prices high, and warnings that they will rise over the winter, the reality for those living in remoter locations is often stark. The advice from the fuel watchdog Consumer Focus is to stock up now to take advantage of cheaper prices. Buying well in advance, as
winter approaches, makes sense for many households that rely on heating oil. In recent bad weather blocked roads, and high order volumes, have meant delays, at best, and, at worst, running out of fuel completely. In addition to stocking up for winter, joining an oil club can help to cut costs.

Does OPEC Allow Domestic Customers?

While the best known oil club may well be OPEC, you dont have to actually be a wealthy oil-producing gulf state to join (or create) one. Oil clubs are set up by groups of individuals in rural areas to take advantage of the power of bulk purchasing. Long used in business and local government, bulk purchasing arrangements allow individual consumers to take advantage of lower unit costs by joining forces with others in their neighbourhood. One side advantage of oil clubs is that they also reduce the number of delivery miles per truck which not only saves on costs but does the planet a bit of good too.

Help and Advice to Get You Started

A number of local authorities have helped local residents to establish an oil club to cut the cost of domestic heating oil. Check with your local authority web site or give them a call for more information on oil clubs near you. Oil clubs definitely operate on the principle of the more the merrier and will be more than happy to sign up new members. The clubs are a new feature in rural England, springing from the rising cost of domestic heating oil, but this means there may not be a club, as yet, in your area. However, if youre unable to find a club locally contact the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or check out their web site for advice and information on how to set up a new oil club.

Promoting Your Club

The CAB site offers a range of practical information on setting up a club and signing up members. In most cases those who have oil fired central heating will have plenty of neighbours nearby who also rely on domestic heating oil; while many may not yet have heard of oil clubs they will be more than happy to sign up when they do. Once up and running, sign up on the CABs register and ask your local authority to add a link to your club on their pages most will be more than happy to help this kind of local initiative. While the cost of domestic heating oil is unlikely to fall drastically in the near future finding simple and innovative ways to cut your own costs will help to avoid the spectre of fuel poverty, although it sadly wont scare off that exciting winter weather.

With domestic heating oil prices outstripping many other forms of fuel bill, increasing numbers of householders are proving that oil clubs are not limited to OPEC and are planning ahead by utilising various fuel fighter sites available around the web.