Heating Oil Firm Warns Customers Are Leaving Tank Refills Too Late

A heating oil firm has warned that customers in Berkshire and Hampshire are leaving it increasingly late to refill their tanks, a delay the company says carries risks as colder weather approaches, according to the BBC.

The firm said many households in the two counties are waiting longer than in previous years before placing orders, a pattern that can leave customers vulnerable to running out of fuel or facing longer delivery waits during periods of high demand.

The BBC's report did not specify the name of the oil firm making the comments, the extent of the delay compared with previous years, or the specific risks the company believes customers face beyond running low on supply.

Heating oil remains a primary heating source for many households in rural parts of England that are not connected to the mains gas network, making the timing of tank refills a recurring seasonal concern for both suppliers and customers as temperatures drop.

Suppliers in the sector have periodically urged customers to order fuel earlier in the year, citing fluctuating prices, delivery scheduling pressures and the risk of shortages or delays once demand rises sharply during colder spells.

The report did not indicate whether the firm was also linking the delay in orders to price sensitivity among customers, or whether prices for heating oil in the region had changed significantly compared with the same period last year.

Industry bodies representing the heating oil sector have previously advised households to monitor tank levels regularly and arrange deliveries well before supplies run critically low, particularly heading into the winter months.