The average price of 300 litres of home heating oil in Northern Ireland has increased by over £20 since the start of 2025, latest figures show.
Research by the NI Consumer Council shows prices have continued to shoot up for 300 litres, 500 litres and 900 litres of oil over the first few weeks of the new year.
The cost of 300 litres has not been this expensive on average since April 2024.
The recent cold snap may be driving up demand and prices, with the upward trend starting notably in the second week of 2025, when snow and ice hit much of the region.
The average 300 litre fill-up will now set customers back £208.07, up nearly £13 from last week’s figure of £195.11, a 6% increase in seven days.
Larger amounts of oil are also going up in average price. A typical 500 litre-fill is almost £20 more expensive than on January 9, reaching a price of £319.91 from £301.29.
Meanwhile, a standard 900 litre-purchase now costs consumers £25 more than last week, the 6% rise in costs taking it from £524.78 to £555.97.
Derry City and Strabane remains the best council area in Northern Ireland for heating oil customers looking for a good deal.
The cost of 300 litres there is £3.86 below the NI average, with 500 litres costing £4.88 less and 900 litres £5.25 below the standard cost.
By contrast, Newry City, Mourne and Down customers are still paying some of the highest average costs of NI customers. In the area, 300 litres, 500 litres and 900 are £0.80, £1.97 and £3.07 higher respectively.
Prices fluctuate across NI by council area depending on the quantity of oil being bought. Belfast customers for example pay £1.06 more than average for a 300 litre fill-up, but £1.16 less for 900 one.
Home heating oil prices had trended downwards in the second half of 2024, however a series of cold snaps have caused them to shoot back up.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused the most severe increase in recent years, with costs almost doubling between January and March 2022.
While prices have generally gone down in the succeeding years, they remain prone to jumps, and have not returned to the average levels seen before the invasion and the cost of living crisis.