August 2023:

The cost of oil is about 70 ppl. 

It is impossible to predict how the price is going to change going forward.

We will email members of any developments. If you do not currently receive our regular email updates, please email me and I will add your name to the list: [email protected].

Register        Order

Across Derbyshire, nearly 20% of properties are off the main gas network. This goes up to 40% in the Derbyshire Dales. Heating oil and LPG are the main sources of energy for the rural properties, the price of which can vary considerably. 

We have been running a community oil buying scheme since November 2011 to help reduce the cost of heating oil by negotiating with oil suppliers for a bulk order.  Buying oil through our scheme helps secure a good oil price for everyone, especially beneficial for those on a low income. We do not inflate our prices for profit. 

Anyone can join - homeowner or tenant, business or community building, farms, caravan parks and holiday lets. Standard delivery vehicles are used.

How it works

• Register on the website with details of your property and tank location.

• Log on to order oil. Specify the number of litres you require (minimum 500 litres) and whether you require an additive.

• We order oil every 2 weeks and you can log on and order anytime during the 2 week window.*

• We contact oil suppliers to get the best price we can. You receive an email with oil price and total cost. Payment is made and the oil is delivered within 10 working days.

What if someone doesn't have access to the internet?

Although the scheme is run via a secure website, people can still join even if they don't have access to a computer or the internet. Contact the Oil Buying team at RAD on 01629 592970 or 07540 736118 and an account can be set up and managed on their behalf. This is ideal if you have family members on oil that do not or cannot use the internet.

How much does it cost?

There is no joining or membership fee, but a small service charge is applied to each oil order. This helps to pay for the administration of the scheme and keeping the technology bug free and up to date. When you receive the email notifying you of the oil price when you have ordered, you will see the price of the oil in pence per litre (ppl), the service charge amount (£2.50+vat) and the VAT. There are no fees applied to payment of oil (ie. debit or credit card charges). There is an additional charge for an additive, which costs another 2 pence per litre (plus VAT at 20%) on top of the oil price (to which VAT is charged at 5%). The suppliers have the right to charge for a delivery that they believe has to be made in their 'baby tanker' to comply with their health and safety policy. If a supplier is unable to deliver the oil, or under-delivers by a significant amount, they may ask for a fee to be applied to cover their costs for this. If a delivery is less than 500 litres the supplier may charge an under minimum order delivery charge.

What do people say?

This scheme is particularly useful for people that don't like phoning round different suppliers to negotiate the price and households that are fuel poor. Everyone that is buying oil through the scheme is contributing to help keep prices as low as possible as the more oil we have each order, the more negotiating power we have. So, even if you aren't having to worry about how much your oil is costing each time, you have the knowledge that by getting your oil through us you are helping people less well off.

• “Very happy to recommend this scheme - I place my order, it was delivered speedily and the price gave me an excellent saving." Mrs C, Ashbourne
• "We have been pleased with the savings on our oil orders. It also means we can order 500 litres, whereas before we ordered 1000 litres to try and keep the price per litre down." Mrs L, Staverley
• "I used to worry I might be paying over the odds for my oil, but now I've got peace of mind that I get my oil at a good price every time." Mr S, Stanley

What's the catch?

There isn't one. But, some points to note are:

You don't know the price of oil when you place your order. We get the best price once suppliers know how many litres and how many drops. You will be advised of the price by email around 5pm on the date of the order deadline.

We order oil every 2 weeks* and it can take up to 2 weeks from the order date for your oil to be delivered.

*During the quieter summer months, usually May, June, July and August, we only order oil once. There is only 1 order for delivery during December due to the extreme seasonal demand. This is to avoid disappointment should there be delivery issues impacting on the Christmas/New Year holiday period.

If access to your property is difficult and you need a 'baby' tanker to deliver your oil, we cannot guarantee delivery as not all suppliers we use have very small tankers. If a supplier is unable to deliver in one of their standard tankers your order may be cancelled and a full refund will be given, or you may be charged an additional amount for delivery using a baby tanker (usually 2 pence per litre).

FAQ's       Register         Order Oil

If you have any queries or you would like to sign up for our oil buying updates, click here.

Oil Bank

If you are in financial difficulty and are struggling to afford the minimum order quantity of 500 litres of oil you may qualify for our Oil Bank. Please see the website page for more information.

OIL BANK

Short privacy notice 

Where you are a member of the Oil Buying Scheme we store your personal data to: contact you and process your oil order. make oil orders and payments for you where we manage your oil buying account for you. Rural Action Derbyshire takes your privacy seriously. The latest full privacy statement for the Oil Buying Scheme and LPG enquiries can be found here or can be provided in hard copy on request.

If you have any questions regarding your personal data we can be contacted by:

• Telephone: 01629 592970
• Email: [email protected]
• Post: Rural Action Derbyshire, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3NN