News
Heating Oil Price Falls £73 to £919 for 900 Litres
Updated 2026
Heating oil fell sharply again this week: 900 litres averaged £919.07 in Northern Ireland on 12 November, down £72.65 in seven days. Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister also set out a code of conduct and a supplier register for heating oil firms, the whole of York became a smoke control area on 1 November, and Rangemaster showed a hammered steel Belfast sink due in January.
Heating oil: £919.07 for 900 litres, the lowest since September
The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland’s weekly survey put 900 litres of heating oil at an average of £919.07 on 12 November 2026, about 102p a litre. That is £72.65 less than the £991.72 recorded on 5 November, and the lowest reading since 10 September (£887.20). Smaller orders fell too: 500 litres averaged £518.73 and 300 litres £318.51. Prices are still well above last year, when 900 litres averaged £516.56 on 13 November 2025.
Over the past month the 900-litre average went from £1,019.36 on 15 October to £1,023.79 on 22 October and £1,023.32 on 29 October, before two falling weeks. The survey covers Northern Ireland only, but it is one of the few weekly heating oil price series published in the UK.
Why it matters: if you run an oil-fired AGA, Rayburn or Esse, two falling weeks in a row is a reasonable time to ask for quotes, but get at least three and only order what your tank can safely hold. Our heating oil tank calculator works out how much fits, and heating oil prices per litre and AGA running costs per year put the numbers in context. Source: Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, heating oil price archive.
Northern Ireland plans a code of conduct for heating oil suppliers
On 10 November the Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, told the Assembly she plans to strengthen protections for households that use heating oil. The package includes a register of heating oil suppliers, a mandatory code of conduct covering minimum order volumes, payment and delivery terms and charges, an opt-in register for vulnerable customers run by the Consumer Council, a priority service programme similar to the ones gas and electricity customers already have, and a bigger role for the Consumer Council in settling disputes. She ruled out price controls. The Department for the Economy said the plans respond to the Competition and Markets Authority’s heating oil market study, published in July, which found Northern Ireland’s market competitive but short on consumer protection.
Why it matters: these are plans, not rules yet, and no start date was given. For now, a supplier’s minimum order and delivery charges still vary from firm to firm, so ask about both before you order, not just the price per litre. Our page on oil tank rules for an oil-fired AGA covers what you are responsible for on your side of the delivery. Source: Department for the Economy.
York: the whole city became a smoke control area on 1 November
Since Sunday 1 November 2026 the whole City of York Council area has been a smoke control area. About 80% of York households were already covered; the change brings in the remaining 20% or so. City of York Council says it is not a ban on wood burning: wood can still be burned in a Defra-approved appliance, open fires must use authorised smokeless fuel, and smoke from a chimney must not go on for more than 15 minutes after a fire is first lit. People who repeatedly break the rules after being given advice could be fined up to £300.
Why it matters: a wood-burning or multi-fuel range cooker in a smoke control area must be on Defra’s exempt appliance list to burn wood. If you live in York, or are buying a house there with a solid fuel range, check the exact model before you light it. Our guide to Defra-exempt wood-burning range cookers explains how to check, and range cooker fuel types compares the alternatives. Sources: City of York Council, HETAS.
Rangemaster Forge: a hammered steel Belfast sink, due in January
Rangemaster has shown the Forge Hammered Belfast sink, trade magazine KBBFocus reported on 2 November. It is a single-bowl, sit-on Belfast sink in heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel with a hammered apron front, modelled on traditional copper sinks. It measures 595 x 460mm with a 535 x 400 x 210mm bowl, comes in five finishes (Stainless Steel, Copper, Gold, Graphite and Champagne) and carries a 25-year warranty. It is due to go on sale in January.
Why it matters: a steel Belfast sink is much lighter than a fireclay one, but as a sit-on sink it needs a base unit made to suit its 595mm width. Our Belfast sink buying guide and kitchen sink types compared cover the choice. Source: KBBFocus.
