When should I reorder heating oil?

The rule of thumb

Start planning your next order when the tank gets to around a quarter full. That is the marker Which? gives, and it leaves time for delivery.

UKIFDA's advice for winter 2026-27 goes further. It recommends keeping at least 500 litres in the tank wherever possible, as a buffer against high demand, severe weather or delivery delays, and at least 12 inches (300 mm), which can help reduce the risk of sediment and other contaminants being drawn into the heating system. On a smaller tank, 500 litres can be half the tank or more, which in practice means topping up sooner.

Set your own trigger point

A quarter of a tank lasts very different lengths of time in different homes, so it is worth working out your own trigger:

• Know your winter use. Note the gauge and the date at each delivery; litres used divided by weeks gives your rate. Our guide to how long 1,000 litres lasts has typical figures if you have no history yet.
• Add the lead time. Cover the oil you will use between ordering and the delivery date.
• Add a margin. Allow for a cold snap or a busy week, when deliveries take longer.

Whatever the sums say, do not go below UKIFDA's 12 inch floor.

Lead times, and how to see them

Delivery times vary with the supplier, the season and how much you are willing to pay for speed. Which? notes that if you can plan ahead, waiting longer for your order usually costs less, while express or emergency deliveries can be pricey.

On Fueltool every price shows its delivery option and date, so you can see the lead time before you order and weigh a cheaper, later delivery against a sooner one. If a full-size tanker cannot reach your tank, small and baby tanker options are shown too (a small extra charge can apply).

Why winter changes the sums

UKIFDA says distributors are much busier in winter, when demand peaks. In cold weather deliveries can take longer, emergency deliveries are not always possible, and in bad weather suppliers prioritise people who have run out, which makes delivery rounds less efficient.

That is why the advice is to fill up before the cold sets in. OFTEC suggests spring as a good time to fill the tank, because distributors tend to be less busy, and warns that last-minute deliveries cost more. UKIFDA adds that keeping the tank topped up helps prevent condensation, which can put water in your oil.

Extra help in a cold snap

If you or someone you live with is 75 or over, ask your supplier whether it takes part in UKIFDA's free Cold Weather Priority Scheme, which lets participating distributors put eligible customers first during extreme cold or shortages. In a severe spell, UKIFDA asks customers to be honest about when they will run out, and those with plenty of oil to hold off topping up so suppliers can reach people who have run out.

UKIFDA also notes that small, frequent deliveries can cost more overall than larger, less frequent ones. When your level reaches your trigger point, compare prices for your postcode.