Oil heating is still the cheapest option for off-gas main households, according to OFTEC.

Oil heating is still the cheapest option for off-gas main households, according to Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC).

The Sutherland Tables show that the cost of heating an average three-bedroom home with an oil-condensing boiler works out at £996 per annum.

OFTEC said this is "31% cheaper that an LPG condensing boiler, which costs £1,454 per annum to run".

The association added: "Once again, the figures demonstrate the advantages of using a condensing appliance, which can knock up to 18% off the average household heating bill."

Figures also show that the price of oil has remained "relatively stable" over the last five years.

OFTEC's director general, Jeremy Hawksley, commented: "This is good news for those households in rural areas that do not have access to mains gas.

"Oil is a safe and economical choice, and the introduction of liquid biofuel later this year means those households can easily convert to a low-carbon fuel."