Electricity vs kerosene for home heating cost during Operation Epic Fail 2026

Date of calculation

6th April 2026

Electricity 

Cost of 1 kWh at our current fixed rate deal (expires in November): 19.05 pence (p)

= 19.05 p/kWh 

Kerosene 

Searched our usual heating oil supplier on 6th April 2026.  1000 litres (L) of kerosene costs 139650p including tax.  1L of kerosene therefore costs 139650 p ÷ 1000 L = 139.65 p/L.

1L kerosene produces 10.35 kWh of energy. 

1 kWh of heat would require 1L ÷ 10.35 kWh = 0.096 618 357 49 L / kWh of kerosene.

This amount of kerosene costs 0.096 618 357 49 L/kWh x  139.65 p/L 

=  13.492 753 62 p/kWh

Conclusion

Kerosene is still cheaper for home heating than electricity despite the energy price shock.  Kerosene is about 13.5p for a kWh compared to electricity at 19.05 p/kWh. 

Updates

13/09/2026: 500L of kerosene costs £616.56.  1L kerosene therefore costs 61656p ÷ 500 = 123.312 p/L.  1L of kerosene still produces 10.35 kWh of energy.  1 kWh of energy from kerosene costs (1L ÷ 10.35 kWh/L) x 123.312 p/L = 11.9 p/kWh