How much heating oil does €100 buy?
At today's typical Irish price for a 500 litre order, €1.66 a litre, €100 buys about 60 litres. A small order like that usually costs more per litre, and some oil suppliers won't deliver it at all. Here is what €100 to €500 gets you and how to stretch it.
Updated
How many litres of heating oil do you get for €100?
The typical price for 500 litres of kerosene across Irish counties is €828.50. That is the middle of the latest prices we have for each county, which works out at €1.66 a litre.
| You spend | About this many litres | Typical home in January |
|---|---|---|
| €100 | 60 litres | About 8 days |
| €200 | 120 litres | About 16 days |
| €300 | 181 litres | About 25 days |
| €500 | 301 litres | About 42 days |
Treat these as the best case. If you order less than 500 litres, expect fewer litres for the same money. Prices also vary by county, so yours may be higher or lower.
The "typical home" column uses the starting estimate from our tank planner: a 120 m² house with two people, burning about 7 litres a day in January. Your house could burn half that or twice that. See how long heating oil lasts for summer figures and bigger and smaller homes.
Why small orders cost more per litre
A lorry, a driver and the trip to your house cost about the same whether you take 300 litres or 1,000. Spread over fewer litres, those costs push up the price of each one. That is why oil suppliers usually price bigger orders lower per litre. Top Oil's order page notes that larger orders get a better discount, and Certa says larger deliveries offer better value.
How much more you pay for a small order varies by oil supplier. The only way to know is to compare the delivered total for each size. Our county pages show recent prices for 300, 500 and 1,000 litre orders, so you can see the gap where you live.
Is there a minimum order for heating oil?
Some oil suppliers have one, and there is no standard amount. Each oil supplier sets its own rules for small orders. Where an oil supplier has told us its minimum order, it is shown on its Tankful profile. Otherwise, ask before you order:
- What is the smallest amount you deliver to my area?
- What is the total price for that amount, delivered, including VAT?
- Is there an extra charge for a small or urgent order?
Our guide on how to order heating oil has more questions worth asking.
Is it better to buy 500 litres?
If you can afford it, usually. You pay less per litre, and the oil lasts long enough that you aren't ordering again in a few weeks. Each small order also means another delivery charge and another chance of running low in a cold snap.
But a smaller order is the right call if €100 or €200 is what you have this week. A small top-up that keeps the tank from running dry is better than an empty tank, which can cause boiler problems and an urgent delivery that costs more. If you're choosing between sizes, check you have room in the tank and see how much heating oil you need.
What if €100 is all you have?
- Ask several oil suppliers. Minimum orders and small-order charges differ from one to the next.
- A 20 or 25 litre can of kerosene from a fuel station can tide you over for a few days. Use a proper kerosene container. See what to do if you've run out for how to do it safely.
- Check whether you qualify for help. Fuel Allowance and the Additional Needs Payment can both go towards heating oil. Our heating oil grants guide explains who qualifies.
- Make each litre go further with these ways to use less heating oil.
Common questions
Can I order €100 of heating oil?
Sometimes. Some oil suppliers will deliver a small amount, often at a higher price per litre, and others have a minimum order. Ask the oil supplier for the smallest delivery they do and the total price before you book. A 20 or 25 litre can from a fuel station is another option for a short-term top-up.
Is it cheaper to buy 500 litres of heating oil than 300?
Usually, per litre. Each delivery has costs that don't shrink with the order, so oil suppliers tend to charge less per litre on bigger orders. The total is still higher, so compare the delivered price for each size in your county and pick what you can afford.
How long will €100 of heating oil last?
It depends on the price and your house. A typical home burns about 7 litres a day in January and much less in summer. Divide the litres €100 buys by your own daily use to get the number of days.
Check what €100 buys in your county
Prices differ from county to county and from one oil supplier to the next. Compare heating oil prices in your county for 300, 500 and 1,000 litres, then ask the oil supplier to confirm the delivered total. Not buying today? Set a price alert and we'll tell you when prices drop.