Compare My Heating Oil

Independent Not owned by any fuel supplier Suppliers 83 named UK suppliers listed Coverage 84 counties and 493 towns VAT 5% applies to domestic heating oil Independent Not owned by any fuel supplier Suppliers 83 named UK suppliers listed Coverage 84 counties and 493 towns VAT 5% applies to domestic heating oil

Free heating oil tool

How Much Does 500 Litres of Heating Oil Cost?

To work out the cost of 500 litres of heating oil, enter the price per litre from your latest quote or invoice below. The calculator multiplies it by 500 litres, adds 5% VAT for domestic home heating and shows the total, the cost per litre inclusive of VAT and the cost per kWh of usable heat.

Your order

Litres to order500L

100L3,000L

Price per litre (pence)

Use the price from your latest quote or invoice.

Include VAT (5%)

Include delivery

Whether your quoted price already includes delivery.

Your cost

You have entered 500 litres. Enter your price per litre on the left, from your latest quote or invoice, to see the total cost.

How the sum works for 500 litres

The cost of 500 litres before VAT is 500 multiplied by your price per litre in pence, divided by 100. Domestic heating oil is charged VAT at 5%, so the total is that figure multiplied by 1.05. Enter your price in the calculator above to see the total for this volume.

To convert to usable heat, the price per litre including VAT is divided by the energy content of kerosene, 10.35 kWh per litre, and by boiler efficiency, 92% for a condensing boiler. This order is 2,300 litres or less, so it is reduced-rated at 5% automatically. Domestic home heating stays at 5% at any volume; only non-domestic use above the threshold pays 20%.

How this is calculated

total_ex_vat  = 500 x ppl / 100
vat_rate      = 0.05  (domestic home heating)  ->  5%
total_inc_vat = total_ex_vat x (1 + vat_rate)
cost_per_kwh  = (ppl_inc_vat / 100) / (kwh_per_litre x boiler_efficiency)

kwh_per_litre       = 10.35 kWh/L
boiler_efficiency   = 0.92 (condensing, verified 2026-07-28)

Figures used on this page

Figure	Value	Source	Verified
vat domestic	0.05 ratio	VAT Act 1994 Schedule 7A Group 1, domestic fuel reduced rate	2026-07-28
vat standard	0.2 ratio	VAT Act 1994, standard rate	2026-07-28
vat threshold litres	2300 litres	HMRC VAT Notice 701/19, de minimis limit for domestic use presumption	2026-07-28
kerosene kwh per litre	10.35 kWh/L	UK Government GHG conversion factors 2025, burning oil (net CV)	2026-07-28
boiler efficiency condensing	0.92 ratio	SEDBUK band A typical seasonal efficiency, OFTEC technical guidance	2026-07-28

What affects the result

The price per litre. The pence per litre figure drives almost all of the total for a fixed 500 litre order. It tracks the crude market with a lag of a few weeks, so the total for the same volume can shift within a month.

Your supplier. On any given day, suppliers serving the same postcode can differ by several pence per litre. Comparing before ordering is the most reliable way to land at the lower end.

Order timing. Demand rises through autumn and winter. A summer or early-autumn fill often means shorter lead times and avoids the emergency premium that comes with running low.

VAT rate. This order is 2,300 litres or less, so it is reduced-rated at 5% automatically. Domestic home heating stays at 5% at any volume; only non-domestic use above the threshold pays 20%.

500 litres cost FAQs

How do I work out the cost of 500 litres of heating oil?

Multiply 500 by the price per litre in pence, divide by 100 for the cost in pounds before VAT, then add 5% VAT for domestic home heating. Enter your price above and the calculator does this for you.

Where do I find the price per litre to enter?

Use the price on your latest quote or invoice. Suppliers quote heating oil per litre in pence. To find a current price for your postcode, request a quote from local suppliers.

Is 500 litres a sensible order size?

A 500 litre order suits a smaller tank or a summer top-up. If your tank is 1,000 litres or larger, ordering more per delivery usually lowers the per-litre price.

Does the price include VAT and delivery?

Domestic heating oil carries 5% VAT. This order is 2,300 litres or less, so it is reduced-rated at 5% automatically. Domestic home heating stays at 5% at any volume; only non-domestic use above the threshold pays 20%. Whether delivery is included depends on the supplier, so check what your quote covers.

Why does the total change from day to day?

Heating oil tracks the international crude market with a short lag, so the pence per litre figure moves daily. Use the calculator above with a current quote, or check a live comparison for your postcode.