How oil clubs work
An oil club, also called a buying group or syndicate, gathers orders from its members and negotiates one price with a supplier. The CMA's 2026 heating oil market study describes the usual pattern: you sign up, usually for free, the group shops around for the most competitive rate, and members are told the price regularly so they can buy in bulk at a discount. Some clubs gather members' orders on set dates: North Yorkshire Council's scheme for Ryedale and Scarborough, for example, orders about every two months. Others agree a price with a single local supplier that members then order from.
Clubs are run by community charities, some councils and local groups. In rural England, the ACRE network of county rural community charities lists oil buying schemes among the services its members offer. Figures in the CMA's study suggest that 10 to 15% of heating oil customers buy through buying groups or syndicates.
Why a club can get a lower price
The price of heating oil mostly follows the wholesale cost of the oil, but the tanker's time on the road matters too. The CMA found that rural and remote homes cost more to supply, and that coordinating orders through a buying group helps by fitting more deliveries into each mile driven. A supplier who can fill a whole round in one village can offer a sharper price.
The savings are real but vary. In May 2026 ACRE reported that members of Rural Action Derbyshire's scheme buying 500 litres saved around 5% on an average benchmark price, in a snapshot taken on 1 May. The CMA also notes that club prices are shared only within the group, so you may not see a club's price until you join.
The trade-offs
- Timing: if the club orders on set dates, you wait for the next round. That suits a planned top-up, not a nearly empty tank.
- Choice of supplier: the club chooses the supplier, so you take that supplier's delivery date and payment terms.
- Fees and rules: check for a membership fee, a minimum order and how the price is quoted.
- Availability: not every area has a club. Citizens Advice suggests searching online, on social media and on community notice boards, or asking your council, and says you can set one up yourself.
Comparing a club price with a Fueltool quote
Line the two prices up on the same terms before you decide:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Same litres | The price per litre falls as the order grows: today 1,000 litres works out about 1.4p a litre cheaper than 500. |
| Same oil | Compare standard heating oil with standard heating oil, not with premium kerosene. |
| Same delivery speed | Set a next-round club delivery against a quote with a similar delivery date, not an urgent one. |
| VAT and extras | Ask whether the club price is per litre before VAT. Fueltool prices include delivery, totals are shown with 5% VAT and there is no service charge. |
| Fees | Spread any annual membership fee across the orders you expect to make. |
You can use both: when the club announces its price, compare prices for your postcode for the same litres and delivery date.
Common questions
Are oil clubs free to join?
Many are. The CMA says sign-up is usually free, but not always, so check for any membership fee before you join.
How do I find an oil club near me?
Ask your local or parish council, search online and on social media, or check community notice boards. In rural England, your county ACRE member may run or know of a scheme.
Can an oil club help if I am about to run out?
Not always, because some clubs only place orders on set dates, which can be weeks apart. If your tank is low, compare prices for the earliest delivery date instead.
Do oil club prices include VAT?
It varies, so ask. A price per litre before VAT can look cheaper than a total that includes 5% VAT when it is not.
Can I start an oil club myself?
Yes. Citizens Advice says you can set one up if there is not one in your area. Agree how orders, payment and any fee will work before the first round.
Sources
- CMA: Heating oil market study, final report (15 July 2026)
- Citizens Advice: Get help if you use oil, LPG, coal or wood to heat your home
- ACRE: ACRE Network directory map
- ACRE: Oil buying scheme continues to deliver savings (8 May 2026)
- North Yorkshire Council: Oil buying groups
Prices on this page are Fueltool's live figures for 25 October 2026: the typical (median) listing for standard heating oil, before VAT unless it says otherwise. How they are worked out.
Today's price
Typical heating oil price today: 114.1p a litre before VAT, about £1,198 for 1,000 litres with VAT.
See today's prices