Essex householders are being urged to change energy habits with ‘Get Winter Ready’ Campaign

09 Sep Essex householders are being urged to change energy habits with ‘Get Winter Ready’ Campaign

September traditionally marks the start of Autumn and trade associations UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and OFTEC have joined forces to launch their ‘Get Winter Ready’ campaign.

The ‘Get Winter Ready’ campaign is designed to encourage the 37,895 heating oil customers across Essex to change their energy habits by ordering a supply of heating oil early, getting their boiler serviced and checking the oil tank in the garden is in tip top condition before the onset of winter.

The campaign has been launched as latest figures from a recognised independent source of comparative domestic heating prices, show oil prices in most regions across the UK are down by between 2% and 5.5% compared to last year.

UKIFDA Chief Executive Guy Pulham comments: “People who use oil to heat their homes would be forgiven for not thinking about heating their homes at the moment with many of us still experiencing warm days but we have launched this campaign to encourage people to stock up on oil, sooner not later.

“It’s better to order early when demand is low. Ordering ahead of the bad weather also ensures no household is caught out, especially in remote and rural areas, where roads can be disrupted. Delivery times only increase as the weather gets worse.”

OFTEC Chief Executive Paul Rose comments: “The nights are already drawing in and the winter months are unfortunately not far off, so it is important for people to ensure their heating systems are working correctly ahead of time. This is particularly important for the vulnerable and elderly who cannot afford to be left without heat.

“Regular maintenance by an experienced heating professional is the best way to avoid problems, so our advice is to book your boiler service now before cold weather sets in and use a qualified OFTEC registered technician who will check everything is working correctly and identify any potential problems. It’s simpler and less stressful to fix any issues now rather than wait for the whole system to stop working when you need it most.”

Guy Pulham adds: “Each year, UKIFDA oil distributors remind customers that they should order early, but people have got into a pattern of ordering the minimum quantity and running out in the middle of the worst weather, when tanker drivers just can’t get to them. We are trying to educate people to think ahead and be prepared.

“UKIFDA also advises customers to set up a regularly monthly payment with their local oil supplier in order to offset higher bills during the winter months, especially with the additional expense of Christmas.”

UKIFDA and OFTEC have also developed a host of money-saving tips and useful advice on managing energy needs on their website www.oilsave.org.uk For detailed information on how installing a more efficient condensing boiler could save you hundreds over the year, to easy tips on making your existing system more efficient without spending a penny, www.oilsave.org.uk has been designed to help consumers get more from oil-fuelled energy.