Can't afford oil, what options do we have?

slugger09
slugger09 Posts: 411 Forumite
in LPG, heating oil, solid & other fuels
Oil is about to run out, I would say this week will finish it. We simply can't afford the prices as I earn min wage and my Mrs only works part time, we have 3 kids under 6.

I have a poor credit rating so couldn't get a loan to buy oil and even if I could its the principle of the thing, the oil prices have got far to high.

We have a fire but it has no back boiler so would only heat the one room. So I think the only option is use the fire to heat the living room and get a couple of heaters for the bedrooms, anyone any ideas on which type of heaters? We can't afford sky high electric costs eithers.
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Comments

  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 7,569 Ambassador
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    Use the fire to keep one room warm and introduce the kids to hot water bottles. Think back to what you or your parents did before central heating.
    Any form of heating is expensive. Can you get a calor gas heater? At least you buy the gas in advance for it and won't run up unexpected bills.

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  • pineapple
    pineapple Posts: 6,931 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    I have used electric oil filled radiators in the past. Have always felt these were cheaper to run though possibly more expensive to buy.
  • slugger09
    slugger09 Posts: 411 Forumite
    victor2 wrote: »
    Use the fire to keep one room warm and introduce the kids to hot water bottles. Think back to what you or your parents did before central heating.
    Any form of heating is expensive. Can you get a calor gas heater? At least you buy the gas in advance for it and won't run up unexpected bills.

    Where do you get these at
  • slugger09
    slugger09 Posts: 411 Forumite
    Infact where do you buy any heater? Argos seems to be out of stock of everything
  • bengalknights
    bengalknights Posts: 5,021 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    slugger09 wrote: »
    Infact where do you buy any heater? Argos seems to be out of stock of everything

    Electrical wholesalers and DIY merchants will have them such as Newey & Eyre,Edmundsons,Wickes,B&Q etc
  • modern_millie_2
    modern_millie_2 Posts: 278 Forumite
    Slugger, what do you do for hot water? Do you have an immersion heater? We have oil but atm it also heats the water so not much choice. Think oil filled rads are not too expensive now and quite efficient - also heard good things about halogen heaters. We use a small fanheater in DDs room when the CH is off, but only for short periods - good for a quick blast of heat.
  • Lizzy
    Lizzy Posts: 385 Forumite
    I saw loads of heaters at B & Q they were stacked up. They were the radiator electric ones with a vented top which I think blows out hot air. They probably have other types as well. I didn't check the price though because I wasn't looking for one sorry. I think this type will be safer for the kids. No flame and no gassing them.
  • slugger09
    slugger09 Posts: 411 Forumite
    modern_millie wrote: »
    Slugger, what do you do for hot water? Do you have an immersion heater? We have oil but atm it also heats the water so not much choice. Think oil filled rads are not too expensive now and quite efficient - also heard good things about halogen heaters. We use a small fanheater in DDs room when the CH is off, but only for short periods - good for a quick blast of heat.

    At the min the oil heats the water to. We also have an immersion so wont be beat without oil in terms of water anyway
  • slugger09
    slugger09 Posts: 411 Forumite
    Lizzy wrote: »
    I saw loads of heaters at B & Q they were stacked up. They were the radiator electric ones with a vented top which I think blows out hot air. They probably have other types as well. I didn't check the price though because I wasn't looking for one sorry. I think this type will be safer for the kids. No flame and no gassing them.

    Right B&Q it is then. I'd go £100 max for 2, that should buy a couple of fairly decent ones. Think i'll also start lighting the fire, Ok it only heats 1 room but heat rises and out bedroom is above.
  • IHateDida
    IHateDida Posts: 1,670 Forumite
    We have a great oil filled radiator - I've heard they are relatively inexpensive to run - obviously doesn't heat up immediately but very warm once hot. Something like this would do the job: http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.206-2194.aspx (I expect larger Tescos would have them in stock)
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