More heating oil needed as energy usage rises?

26 July 2011

Posted by Neil Brunskill

People may find they require larger amounts of heating oil than in the past to keep their homes warm, as new figures have shown energy usage is rising.

Research from the Office for National Statistics revealed that the UK as a whole used 18 per cent more energy in 2009 than in 1970.

It found the equivalent of 44 million tonnes of oil were used in that year, as opposed to 37 million tonnes at the start of the 70s, with more than half of this figure being used for heating.

The statistics, released as part of a Social Trends report into the environment, also found rates of air pollution in rural areas were at their lowest level since 1987 last year, with 22 days in 2010 recording a level of moderate or above.

It showed greenhouse gas emissions fell by an estimated 27 per cent between 1990 and 2009.

The rise in energy usage, coupled with higher prices for fuel supplies, may be affecting many households, as recent research by uSwitch estimated almost one in four households could be facing the prospect of fuel poverty.

Click here for a home heating oil quote