Communal heating oil scheme helps combat autumn heating blues

With the colder weather and longer nights approaching, a big worry for many residents in the Reepham district is the cost of heating oil.

A Norfolk charity runs a collective bulk buying service that addresses this concern by helping make buying heating oil less stressful and more manageable: Community Action Norfolk’s ThinkingFuel scheme offers consistently low prices on heating oil by encouraging people to buy communally.
 
“Heating oil is an unregulated commodity,” explains Community Action Norfolk chief executive Jon Clemo. “Unlike mains gas and electricity, there are no rules and regulations or price controls. Oil can be subject to dramatic price fluctuations and you can’t easily buy it in small helpings just when you need it.”
 
ThinkingFuel is already well established with 3,000 members across Norfolk. The idea is that everyone in the scheme gets a low price on their oil because it is bought in bulk. Everyone pays the same price regardless of how much they order.
 
The bulk ordering takes place on two set days each month to maximise savings – the first working day of the month and the third Monday. That is when members can get the best price, but they can order oil on any working day of the month and still get a competitive price.
 
“We do the ringing round for you, saving you time, stress and making sure you get a fair price,” said Mr Clemo. People can currently join the scheme for free.
 
“Comparing prices for oil is very difficult for the consumer because of wide fluctuations in price between days, quantities ordered, locations and delivery times,” he explained.
 
“That’s why it pays to be part of a collective buying scheme like ThinkingFuel, which are increasingly popular because they offer a fair, flexible and accessible way to buy oil – everyone in the scheme pays the same price per litre no matter how much they order.
 
“We operate ThinkingFuel in partnership with AF Affinity, Anglia Farmers’ bulk buying group, whose expert professional buyers are able to negotiate considerable discounts.
 
“The big plus is that, because all our members are buying from the same supplier, they get a very competitive price. And buying, say, 500 litres in one go is a major domestic budget item for some households, so we’re also able to help with easy payment arrangements.”
 

 
Community Action Norfolk is an organisation for engagement with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Norfolk. It works with more than 500 groups a year, with links to over 5,000 organisations, volunteers and community champions, to build a stronger and fairer Norfolk.
 

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