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EU’s Green Energy Laws ‘Put UK Jobs at Risk’

European Union (EU) regulation affects everybody living within the member state bloc, from businesses to public organisations, homeowners and heating oil customers.

With so many different nations under its jurisdiction – each of which has its own unique set of economic and political circumstances – it can be difficult for the European legislature to find a happy medium.

At times, decisions may be seen to have a disproportionate – and often unintended – impact on certain groups, regions or industries.

According to lobby group Business for Britain (BfB), this is the case with the EU’s current environmental policies.

BfB – which comprises of influential UK business leaders – has warned that green policies created in Brussels are putting as many as 1.5 million jobs under threat in Britain.

The group says manufacturers are struggling amid increasing energy costs, which it claims are the direct result of EU intervention.

BfB claims a number of major employers are considering moving their manufacturing bases overseas to countries where fuel is cheaper.

It highlights the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme and the Renewables Obligation as being particular problems for UK manufacturers.

BfB accepts there is “a good chance” the UK would have introduced similar policies had it been outside of the EU, and in some areas Britain has gone further than required to promote energy efficiency.

However, it says “this should not cloud the fact that the EU does play a role in driving up the cost of energy and has introduced expensive policies”.

With concerns over global warming rising in recent years, the EU may be right to embrace the green agenda and promote energy efficiency where possible.

But for the health of the economy – not just in the UK but across Europe – it is important to strike the right balance, ensuring valuable jobs are protected.

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Is Your Heating Oil Tank in a Safe Location?

The location of your oil tank may not be an issue that keeps you awake at night – in fact, you might never give it a moment’s thought.

It might only be when something goes wrong that you even realise the tank has been positioned in an unsafe location, potentially for many years.

If you’ve moved into a new home that has a tank, or you’ve decided to have one installed, then this is the time to ensure you’re following the safety guidelines.

In some cases, this might mean moving the location of the storage unit. But it could be a decision that pays dividends in the long run, if it helps avoid damage to your property.

Where Should Tanks be Sited?

The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) has issued guidance on where to position oil tanks, ensuring they comply with fire separation distances.

The purpose is to adequately protect the stored fuel from a fire or heat source that may originate nearby.

Tanks should be sited 1.8m away from any non-fire-rated eaves of a building or structure, and 1.8m away from any openings – such as doors or windows in a fire-rated building or structure.

Additionally, oil tanks should be at least 1.8m away from oil-fired appliance flue terminals, and 760mm away from any non-fire rated boundary such as a wooden boundary fence.

Tanks should also be 600mm away from screening – such as trellis and foliage – that does not form part of the boundary.

It is unlikely that a fire could be started by your oil tank or its contents, but it always pays to take appropriate precautions.

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Lib Dems Propose Tax Break for Energy Efficient Homes

New manifesto plans unveiled by the party would reward people who take action to boost energy efficiency with a council tax discount.

When reductions in gas and electricity bills are also taken into account, households could save at least £100 a year by adopting eco-friendly measures, according to the Lib Dems.

The party pointed out that household energy use has recently fallen by an average of 2.5 per cent a year, but stressed that “we need to go further and faster”.

Ed Davey, secretary of state for energy and climate change, said the best way to bring down household bills is to reduce them over the long term, which means reducing energy waste in the home.

He added: “A ten-year council tax cut will make action to end your home’s energy waste a no-brainer.

“to meet our legal climate change obligations, the cheapest way is to make rapid progress in cutting our emissions by saving the energy we now waste.”

Mr Davey also underlined the economic importance of efficiency, arguing that it will not be possible to build a stronger economy without environmental awareness and sustainability.

While the government is reportedly on track to meet its target of improving the energy efficiency of one million homes, the Lib Dems said their proposed tax incentive would allow substantial progress in the next parliament.

Recent initiatives to encourage efficiency in the home include the Green Deal Communities scheme, which offered funding for local authorities to help households install measures such as solid wall insulation and new heating systems.

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Save up to £140 with the Warm Home Discount

Homeowners have been urged to find out if they are eligible to receive reductions on their bills through the Warm Home Discount.

During the 2014-15 winter season, the scheme will offer £140 discounts on electricity bills. It does not affect the Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Allowance, which are available to older people and those on certain benefits.

Eligibility for the programme is based on various criteria, including receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

According to research by the Home Heat Helpline, 3.5 million vulnerable and low-income households around the UK are missing out on the financial support they are entitled to through initiatives such as the Warm Home Discount.

The report highlighted a number of areas where a high proportion of homes are eligible for help but not receiving it, with East London, Coventry and Doncaster at the top of the list.

After receiving almost 80,000 calls last winter, the Home Heat Helpline is preparing for another rush of requests for assistance towards the end of this year and into 2015.

Most people contact the helpline because they are struggling to stay warm or keep up with their energy bills. The service’s expert advisors offer confidential guidance on grants and support with bills, as well as tips on energy efficiency.

Barbara Vest of industry group Energy UK said: “Now is the right time to make energy efficiency changes to homes; whether it is getting a new boiler, double glazing or changing old light bulbs to energy efficient ones. It is also the best time to apply for the Warm Home Discount.”

Last month, the industry association responded to a uSwitch report on energy efficiency by pointing out that replacing old boilers is one of the best ways for homeowners to save money and be more efficient.

It also recommended turning down thermostats by one degree and fixing dripping hot water taps.

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Unions Call on Labour to Tackle Fuel Poverty

Eight of the largest trade unions in the UK have urged the Labour party to create domestic energy efficiency policies that would reduce fuel poverty and cut consumer bills, while creating jobs and helping the environment.

A letter to Labour leader Ed Miliband was signed by unions including Unison, Prospect, Unite, the University and College Union and GMB.

The organisations outlined a number of measures – based on the Warm Homes report from Unison – they want included in the party’s energy efficiency policies.

One recommendation is a strategy to bring all homes in the UK up to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standard B and C.

The unions also called for the introduction of grants for energy efficient measures, with a cap of £10,000. The eventual aim of this would be to bring at least two million households to EPC level B and C by 2020, and for all six million low-income homes to achieve this rating by 2025.

Furthermore, Labour has been urged to promote energy efficiency loans by offering zero interest for those able to pay, while introducing a street-by-street delivery programme led by local authorities.

According to Unison’s Warm Homes report, strategies such as these could save consumers between £300 and £600 a year and preserve local gas supplies.

The unions warned that the UK is approaching “crisis point” in terms of gas resources and could be forced to import up to 70 per cent of gas from abroad within the next five years.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said the government’s Green Deal scheme, which is designed to make it easier for homeowners to introduce energy-saving improvements, has “failed miserably”.

He added: “It is a national tragedy that five million homes are languishing in fuel poverty because of poorly insulated homes, and it is these households that are the least well prepared to absorb future increases in energy prices.

“What we desperately need is a strategy that will address the UK’s energy crisis by eliminating the need for large-scale fracking and bring millions of people in from the cold.”

In June this year, the government launched the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund to offer more money back for households introducing energy efficiency measures. The scheme proved so popular it exhausted its budget and was closed to new applications after six weeks.

Essex Villages Suffer Over £15,000 of Oil Theft

Heating oil users living in and around Essex should take special care to ensure their properties and oil tanks are as secure as possible, following a spate of thefts in two villages in the county.

Oil thieves have so far targeted 28 properties in Great Leighs and Little Leighs, the Essex Chronicle reports.

The criminals are thought to be siphoning the oil into barrels and then calling a van to come and collect them.

One local person, who did not want to be named, said that this is occurring on an “industrial scale”, with the thieves sometimes stealing from up to five houses on one night. They have also been brazen enough to return to homes they have targeted before, with residents having to refill their tanks because they rely on the oil.

Another villager, 50-year-old Jeremy Blakemore, revealed that he has had about 1,000 litres of oil stolen. He said members of the community have been patrolling the area in the evening to try to spot the offenders, and also spoke of the mounting concern about the problem.

“Seven houses that we know of in the immediate area have been targeted in the last two or three weeks,” said Mr Blakemore. “It has been really ridiculous; they just keep returning.

“We’re all really worried. We think they are quite well organised because they have come in round the back, cut fences. If you add up the cost of the theft, it could come to more than £15,000.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said this is being treated as a priority crime, with local officers working with the rural crime team to share information and intelligence.

He also revealed that a white van seen in the area where the thefts have been occurring has been circulated on a national police database.

Residents who want advice on tank security can contact Oil Theft Watch, while anyone who sees any suspicious activity is urged to immediately contact the police.

Buy Oil Early Campaign Gets Government Backing

The government has confirmed its support for a campaign that encourages users of heating oil to stock up on the resource now, before winter brings lower temperatures and shorter days.

Order heating oil early to avoid delivery problems

Launched by Action with Communities in Rural England (Acre), the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) and Citizens Advice, the Buy Oil Early initiative points out that customers who place their orders promptly can benefit from lower costs and timely delivery.

Prices and demand tend to be lower in September, while transportation of oil is not disrupted by order backlogs and icy weather.

The campaign has received backing from energy minister Matt Hancock, who pointed out that early action can be particularly advantageous for people living in remote and rural areas, where deliveries are more likely to be held up.

He added: “Please do be sure to check that you are receiving all the help that you are entitled to with your local Citizens Advice Bureau.”

Janice Banks, chief executive of Acre, which provides a voice for England’s 38 rural community councils, cited research showed that over a third (36 per cent) of homes in countryside areas are off the gas grid. This means many households in these parts of the country rely on heating oil.

“We are urging households to buy their oil now so that they are prepared when the colder weather arrives and the time comes to switch on the heating,” she added.

In preparation for the launch of the Buy Oil Early campaign, Acre recently published its top ten tips to help heating oil users prepare for the winter.

The organisation recommended predicting your future oil requirements in advance, comparing prices and checking that your distributor adheres to the FPS Code of Practice.

Heating Oil Theft Warning for Norfolk Homeowners

People living in parts of Norfolk have been urged to be aware of the risk of heating oil theft as temperatures begin to fall and the nights get longer.

With an increasing number of homes, farms and commercial premises refilling their oil tanks at this time of year, the local constabulary has called for residents and business owners to be vigilant and take precautions.

The advice coincides with a police request for people in the Postwick and Brundall areas to look out for a man who has been trying to sell heating oil, the Eastern Daily Press reports.

On the morning of Thursday September 11th, the man visited a farm in Brundall and attempted to sell 500 litres of oil, which the police suspect was stolen.

Believed to have been driving a dark saloon-style car, he was described as white, aged 40 to 45, of large build and bald. Anyone with information relating to the man selling oil or possible thefts can contact the police on 101 or make an anonymous call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Superintendent Stuart Gunn warned local people that anyone cold-calling them and offering to sell heating oil at a discounted price is likely to be a rogue trader. Anyone who experiences this should call the police immediately.

Supt. Gunn urged oil users to always buy from a reputable source and, once they have taken delivery, to ensure they re-secure their tank and gates.

Have You Been a Victim of Heating Oil Theft?

Anyone who has been the victim of oil theft in the past year and reported it to the police could be eligible to receive a free tank alarm from Norfolk’s Partners Against Crime Taskforce (Pact).

Contact Norfolk Pact on 01953 424727 and quote your crime reference number from Norfolk Constabulary to see if you qualify for the offer. The security device will immediately notify you if there is a quick fall in the oil level in your tank.

Underlining the importance of precautions for heating oil users, Supt Gunn said: “Just as thieves will target vehicles and homes which have been left insecure, criminals will try their luck with tanks where they can easily remove thousands of pounds worth of fuel.

“A few simple security improvements can deter opportunists and ensure you stay warm this winter.”

If you suspect that you have been the victim of heating oil theft, you can notify other heating oil users in your area by reporting it on the Oil Theft Watch website.

Heating Oil Users Could Pay 25% Less to Heat Their Home This Year

With gas and electricity prices still on the rise, it’s no surprise that energy bills are high on the list of homeowner worries. In fact, online watchdog Which? has recently named energy prices as one of the chief financial concerns for consumers, with over 41% of householders stating that they are “worried about the cost of heating their home this winter”.

In a statement released in September this year, the company’s Executive Director, Richard Lloyd, voiced his concern for energy prices, calling for a review of the marketplace.

Mr Lloyd stated: “The energy market remains at rock bottom for consumer trust. Millions of customers still don’t think they’re paying a fair price and most people find it hard to compare deals”.
press-release-price-drop-01 However, despite uncertainty in the mainstream energy market, heating oil users have seen an unprecedented drop in costs. Figures released today by the UK’s leading heating oil comparison site have revealed that households in England are currently paying, on average, up to 25% less for their annual heating oil bill compared to last year, with some customers paying up to £400 less for their annual supply.

BoilerJuice Founder, Paul Ward, believes that while these falling prices may benefit oil users in the short-term, there could be long-term shortage issues if cold weather hits over winter.

Mr Ward commented: “A significant drop in demand, largely due to a warm summer, mild autumn and a reduction in crude oil prices, is contributing to the drop in market prices. However with winter just around the corner, poor weather can typically lead to a sudden increase in demand for heating oil, which in turn can lead to a shortage in supply. If this happens, oil suppliers will be forced to go further afield to source their supply, which can leave customers waiting for deliveries”.

Mr Ward’s thoughts have been echoed by communities across the country, with ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) releasing a campaign promoting the benefits of ‘buying early’ to heating oil users in August this year.

Energy Minister Matt Hancock has also voiced concerns about heating oil supply issues, pointing out that this situation can be worsened in remote or rural areas, where tanker drivers struggle to get through on roads covered with ice and snow. Mr Hancock also stated that “delivery times only increase as the weather gets worse”, and urged homeowners to buy their heating oil early to avoid this situation.

As with any household expense, if you do choose to buy early, it is important to compare prices to find the best deal. Use an impartial price comparison site to get the best price for your area and always take advantage of any special offers, deals or benefits offered by distributors (for example, group savings when multiple orders are placed in the same area).

Top 5: Mad Myths About Heating Oil

Want to sort the fact from the fiction? Find out the truth behind the most common rumours as we examine and debunk the top five heating oil myths…

Myth 1: Oil-Powered Heating Systems are Expensive.

While some fossil-fuels can be expensive to produce, kerosene (or ‘heating oil’) is one of the cheapest. This is because it is the simplest by-product of the crude oil distillation process and is essential for many homes across the UK. As such, it has a low VAT rate (especially if purchased for domestic use rather than commercial use).

As heating oil prices are dependent on a number of external factors, they tend to fluctuate throughout the year, however, an independent study commissioned by OFTEC has shown that heating oil is the only “primary heating fuel” that has dropped in price over the last three years, and is in fact much cheaper than the other main off-gas fuel (LPG), costing 40% less on average per year.

To find out about the latest heating oil price trends, check our Price Chart page.

Myth 2: Heating Oil Does Not Heat Your Home as Efficiently as Other Energy Sources.

The effectiveness of your home fuel (also known as the calorific value) refers to how much heat is released by the fuel when it burns. Logged in Kilowatt Hours (kWH), this measurement provides a scale for us to use when comparing how much thermal energy is released by a fuel source during a one hour period of combustion.

As home fuels come in many shapes and forms (for example, liquid forms such as petroleum and solid forms such as coal or wood), it is difficult to directly compare how much heat they give out. However, heating oil tends to have a higher calorific value than that of other popular fuel sources such as coal or propane.

For example, a single litre of heating oil will typically produce 10.38 kWh of thermal heat, compared to8.33 kWh for a Kilogramme of “Group B” domestic coal, or 7.113 kWh for a litre of Propane.

In addition to releasing more heat than these other fuel sources, heating oil-fired boilers also tend to be extremely efficient, with modern boilers achieving efficiency levels of up to 95 per cent. This means that they disperse heat around your home faster, and require less fuel to run.

Myth 3: Heating Oil Use Contributes Significantly to CO2 Emissions.

A lot of people think that heating oil is bad for the environment, however, CO2 emissions from home heating oil is estimated to account for only 0.03 per cent of all CO2 emissions. If you compare this to the 60 per cent that comes from gas-powered boilers, it could be argued that heating oil use has much less of an impact on the environment than some other main fuel sources.

It is also worth noting that when you order with a buying group, through our Group Saving programme, or with any other type of scheme where orders in the same area are grouped, this reduces the number of oil tankers traveling to your area, which in turn cuts CO2 emissions and reduces the environmental impact.

Myth 4: Heating Oil Supply is Dependent on Overseas Suppliers.

While it is true that heating oil supplies are mainly sourced from other countries, this is also the case with most other popular fuel sources. In fact, Norway and Qatar have supplied a majority of the UK’s natural gas supply since 2012.

It is a common myth that oil supplies can dwindle when demand is high because it is sourced abroad, however, with the exception of UK-based renewable fuel sources, this could be said to be true of any major fuel source. While conflict overseas could possibly affect energy supplies for all major fuel types in the UK, this is only likely in very extreme circumstances, as most energy companies purchase their fuel supplies far in advance.

Myth 5: Heating Oil is Dangerous.

Despite horror stories of fires, explosions and oil leaks in the newspapers, when stored and used correctly, heating oil should not be a danger to anyone. Kerosene can be ignited when heated to above 60 degrees Centigrade, however, with the highest recorded temperature in the UK registered at 37 degrees, it is very unlikely that your heating oil could reach a dangerous temperature without being exposed to another heat source.

Similarly, if your heating oil is stored correctly, in a well-maintained tank which is located on a secure base, then you should not be at risk of an oil leak.

If you are unsure whether your heating oil tank, base or boiler adheres to current safety regulations, you should book an appointment with an OFTEC qualified engineer