Take control of your energy bills: Is it time to move away from oil?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen just how quickly heating oil prices can change.

Global events, particularly ongoing tensions in the Middle East are pushing prices up again, and for households relying on oil, that impact is immediate.

At the time of writing (6 April 2026), the best price locally for 500 litres is sitting around £1.38 per litre and that can change quickly.

For many homes across the North East this raises a question…How much control do you actually have over your heating costs?

Why oil heating leaves you exposed

If your home runs on oil, your energy costs are tied directly to global markets.

That means:

• Prices can rise suddenly, with little warning

• Costs are difficult to predict or budget for

• You’re reliant on fuel deliveries and external supply

It’s not just about price, it’s about lack of control.

A different approach: Heating without oil

Air source heat pumps work differently.

Rather than burning fuel, they use electricity to extract heat from the air, meaning no oil tank, no deliveries, and no exposure to oil price spikes.

It’s a shift more and more homeowners are considering, especially as price volatility continues.

What does it cost to switch?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that heat pumps are significantly more expensive to install.

Installation costs:

Air source heat pumps typically cost from £3,999 and up with grants applied, while oil boilers usually range from £3,500 to £5,500. (Sources: EDF comparison 2026)

With funding available, the difference is now much smaller than many people expect and in some cases, switching can be comparable to replacing an oil boiler.

Lower running costs:

This is where the real difference starts to show.

Typical estimates suggest:

Heat pump annual running cost: £992

Oil boiler annual running cost: £1,200 – £2,000+

But with current oil prices, many households are seeing costs far beyond that.

A recent financial analysis shows just how big that gap can become:

Oil annual cost: £4094.12 @ £1.20p/L

Heat pump annual cost: £1395.70 @ 27p/kWh

Annual savings: £2698.42

Net install cost after HES grant: £4500.00

Payback period (years): 1.67

When oil prices rise, the gap only gets wider.

Support available

There’s also significant support available to help with the upfront cost.

Through Home Energy Scotland:

• £7,500 grant available for air source heat pumps

• Additional £1,500 for rural and off-grid homes

For many properties across Aberdeenshire and the North East, this makes switching far more accessible than it once was.

More than just savings

While cost is often the trigger, it’s not the only benefit.

Heat pumps also offer:

• Greater stability - electricity prices are generally less volatile than oil

• Higher efficiency - typically 4 – 5 x more efficient than oil boilers

• Lower carbon emissions - supporting a move towards more sustainable heating

But for most homeowners right now, it comes back to one thing: predictability.

Take back control of your heating costs

Oil prices will always fluctuate, that’s unlikely to change.

What you can change is how your home is heated.

Switching to an air source heat pump won’t just reduce your reliance on oil, it gives you more control over your energy use, your costs, and your long-term comfort.

Thinking about making the switch?

If you’re currently using oil and want to understand your options, we’re here to help.

Aberdeen Air Source Heating can talk you through what a heat pump installation would look like for your home and what kind of savings you could expect.

Take control of your energy bills - Contact us to learn more