Northern Ireland home heating oil prices soar by around 80% in a week, here are the current average prices in your area
Householders in every area of Northern Ireland are having to pay substantially higher prices for home heating oil compared to a week ago as a result of the Middle East conflict.
Global oil prices have soared with a knock-on effect for the high proportion of people in Northern Ireland who depend on oil to keep their homes warm.
The average price of 500 litres of home heating oil, for example has jumped by a staggering 80% in just one week.
Some suppliers are also restricting the amount of oil which customers can order due to rising demands.
The Consumer Council which surveys suppliers across Northern Ireland to benchmark prices on the cost of home heating oil, has recorded significant price rises across all council areas.
A Consumer Council spokesperson said: "This week’s average home heating oil prices are based on fewer suppliers quotes than usual, as some companies were unable to provide prices for all three quantities of 300L, 500L and 900L. This is due to disruption in global energy markets linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The averages therefore will differ slightly from previous weeks.”
The newest figures from the Consumer Council shows that the average price for 900 litres is now £948.41 – a rise of more than £411 compared to last week.
The average price of 500 litres is currently £555.59 against the figure of £307.38 last week. The average cost of 300 litres has also risen substantially in the past week – currently £347.19, compared to £202.12.
The Consumer Council advises householders that although they might have a regular oil supplier, they should shop around and look at other suppliers as many will deliver further afield at no extra cost.
The weekly comparison figures show there can be quite a difference in the price of oil across Northern Ireland’s 11 local council areas.
The highest average price for 300 litres this week is £358.00 in Newry City, Mourne & Down (£10.81 above NI average) while the lowest average price of £333.99 was found in Derry City and Strabane (£13.2 below NI average).
When it comes to 500 litres, residents of Mid Ulster are paying the highest average price of £566.53 (£10.94 above NI average) while the lowest is again in Derry City and Strabane at £537.30 (£18.29 below NI average).
The highest average cost of 900 litres, meanwhile, is currently £972.05 in Fermanagh and Omagh (£23.64 above NI average) while the lowest is £936.00 in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (£12.41 below NI average).
What are the average prices this week across Northern Ireland?
Here are the current average prices for each of Northern Ireland’s council areas for 300, 500 and 900 litres of oil, based on this week’s figures from the Consumer Council:
Antrim & Newtownabbey – £344.90, £549.42, £936.28.
Ards & North Down – £347.68, £553.97, £943.78.
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon – £342.06, £549.82, £936.00.
Belfast – £345.34, £549.98, £947.73.
Causeway Coast & Glens – £350.81, £562.46, £950.05.
Derry City & Strabane – £333.99, £537.30, £946.31.
Fermanagh & Omagh – £353.49, £569.25, £972.05.
Lisburn & Castlereagh – £350.72, £559.20, £947.73.
Mid & East Antrim – £344.35, £557.56, £956.45.
Mid Ulster – £350.18, £566.53, £960.12.
Newry City, Mourne & Down – £358.00, £545.97, £943.08.