Home heating oil price increases
March 4, 2026
The CCPC has been contacted by a number of consumers querying the legality of price increases in home heating oil and alleging ‘price gouging’.
The law on price increases is clear. Companies can set, and increase, their own prices but they must do so independently. Prices must be clearly communicated to consumers in advance of any sale.
There is no legal obligation on companies to set their prices at a level that consumers will consider fair. However, equally, consumers can and should take their business elsewhere where they are treated poorly.
If a company has agreed a sale with a consumer and accepted payment, then they should fulfil the terms of the order.
Consumers can report companies to the CCPC for potential breaches of consumer protection or competition law on ccpc.ie
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