Members can make requests to participate in any particular monthly group order as they wish. The consortium leader batches these monthly requests and obtains the best bulk price quotation for a common delivery from the chosen heating oil supplier. When a group order is placed with a chosen supplier any members who are new to that supplier have an account set up with them. In many cases the member may already have an account with a chosen heating oil supplier, and in this instance this is used for delivery invoicing. When the group order delivery is made to a member, a delivery note, including the invoice, is left by the supplier for the member, who is then responsible for the payment directly to the heating oil supplier as a prompt payment, usually 7 days.

The price you pay for heating oil typically depends on the quantity you order and the competitiveness of the supplier you choose. Oil consumers are by now familiar with the volatility of the oil market and the price swings, so prices will vary greatly over periods of time. From records since the consortium was formed we have typically saved approx 4 pence per litre compared with the usual local oil suppliers. So, for example, if you buy 1,000Ltrs of oil three times a year, you would expect to save £120 a year compared to usual local suppliers.

A small annual subscription is requested to order oil through the consortium. The consortium was conceived, and is run, as a community service for the benefit of local residents. Subscriptions are to cover the operating costs of the consortium only, and not to generate profit. Membership of the consortium website is free, and allows members to make online order requests and also access other information of interest.