About 1.7 million households in England and Wales rely on kerosene for heating and hot water but, unlike gas and electricity, prices are not capped and are subject to volatility. Almost two-thirds of homes (62.5%) in Northern Ireland rely on heating oil. Since the start of the US and Israel's assault in Iran, households using heating oil have seen their bills double, orders cancelled - and some have been unable to get heating oil at all. However, prices are still about a third higher than before the war in Ukraine, and billpayers in debt have ballooned. As the conflict continues to rage in the Middle East, gas and electricity bills could face dramatic hikes from July - after Ofgem's price cap lifts - due to increases in wholesale gas prices.

Source: The Times March 14, 2026 07:07 UTC