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PRESS RELEASES
02 September 2005
Response to High Energy Costs
The rising cost of crude oil has put pressure on all sources of energy and after a period of relatively ‘cheap’ energy prices the short to medium term for all energy sources appears high. Oil is expensive due to geopolitical pressures; that is security concerns in the Middle East and high demand that has been exacerbated recently by refinery problems in the United States. These factors not only affect the price of home heating oil, but global energy costs as crude oil is used as a benchmark for all energy sources. David Blevings of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation commented, “We are only too aware of the increased energy costs across the board and as a responsible industry we want to offer services and products that may help minimise the impact of increased prices on consumers. We are suggesting that consumers concerned about the increased prices should consider using a pre-payment system such as direct debit/giro or PayPoint to pay for their fuel requirements this winter. This is ideal in that the consumer can build up credit or budget using a free-to-use payment system that ultimately allows them to control their fuel bill”. “In addition, consumers should consider having their boiler serviced and adding energy efficient devices to their system. A service by an OFTEC registered technician prior to the winter months will save cash as a properly serviced appliance will give better efficiency.”