Risks being taken with heating oil orders, firm says

**Heating oil customers warned against delaying orders, firm says**

Supplier Dave Marsh said some customers may be waiting too long to refill their tanks.

Heating oil customers concerned about prices are taking a risk by putting off orders in the hope that costs will fall, a firm has warned.

Marsh Fuels, which supplies heating oil in Berkshire and Hampshire, said sales were below expectations as colder weather draws nearer.

But the company said customers could end up running out of oil or facing even higher bills if they wait.

Dave Marsh, from the Newbury-based firm, said: "We're coming into autumn and we would expect to be busier than we are.

"And so we've made the assumption that customers are hanging on, trying to eke out that little bit of oil they've still got left in the bottom of their tank, hoping for the price to dip.

"The problem is that can be quite risky. If we get a cold snap and the customers are lower than they think they are, they may suddenly be urgent."

Andrew Illingworth, who buys oil on behalf of residents in Broughton, Hampshire, said he was dealing with fewer orders than usual for the time of year.

"A lot of them are holding off at the moment," he said.

"They're hoping that it's going to go back down again, but who knows at the moment."

Chris Wheeler, from Bucklebury, Berkshire, said the price swings, including rises and falls, were "frustrating".

"You never know what's going to happen," he said. "Except at the moment all you can expect is that the price is going to go up.

"So we're trying to manage our purchases so that we can buy it when it's at its cheapest."

Ellen Fraser, energy expert at the Baringa consultancy, said she would buy oil now.

She told the Money Box programme on BBC Radio 4: "We're expecting those prices to stay high until at least April and May, which is obviously far too late to fill the tank."

The Fuel Distribution Association (UKIFDA) had earlier said customers should be ready for periods of higher demand, severe weather or unexpected delivery delays.

Chief executive Ken Mackness said: "The events we saw earlier this year demonstrated how quickly international developments can affect wholesale energy markets."