Thinking fuel
From Norfolk RCC
Thinking Fuel is Norfolk RCC’s domestic oil bulk buying scheme.
The Challenge?52,778 households in fuel poverty* 61,143 household in fuel poverty July 2011 update
Heating oil increased 44% in cost 2010**
The Scheme
The scheme is a partnership between Norfolk RCC and AF Affinity. This allows it to benefit from one of the largest agricultural purchasing groups. Our aim is to try and provide rural communities cheaper fuel. Proceeds also support Norfolk RCC community development services.
How has it performed?
Our prices are consistently low but we cannot guarantee to always be the lowest. In 2011 the average saving was 11%, the lowest being 7% and the highest 16%. A key part of the scheme is that everyone pays the same price per litre regardless of how much they personally order. If you had ordered last year with Thinking Fuel the standard household consumption of 2,000 litres on average you would have saved £120.
How does it work?
To benefit from the scheme you need to set up a local group. We provide a basic group constitution and relevant forms. The group needs to become a member of Norfolk RCC, this costs £15 per year. You will then need to collect details from interested members of the community to register them onto the scheme. There is non-minimum number for a community scheme. Normally a Norfolk RCC team member will deliver a short presentation on how the scheme works at a pubic meeting. Call Norfolk RCC on 01362 698216 or email office@norfolkrcc.org.uk to arrange a meeting today.
What Next?
Individuals will need to provide their; name, address, email, phone number and identify a payment preference. They will also need to sign a data protection statement so this information can be passed between the local group, Norfolk RCC and AF Affinity. We will process this information and you should be able to order by the 1st working day of the next month. At this point you can start benefiting from the scheme but there is no obligation to buy.
How do I pay?
You can pay by credit/debit card over the phone or by Direct Debit. Any card payments will be held and adjusted to reflect any anomolies such as additional extra bulk discount or if your tank couldn’t accommodate your full order.
Extra Discounts
The figures above represent the normal savings from the scheme. There is the
opportunity to save even more on orders that are transacted together. For example if 10 of you order instead of receiving the price per litre for 500 litres you receive the price for 5,000 litres.
Benefiting from the extra discount?
Order before 1700 on the first working day of the month to receive the multi-purchase discount. So if the 1st is a Saturday then Monday 3rd or if the 1st is a Tuesday then Tuesday 1st. Local groups can co-ordinate orders for particular months to maximise savings. Order at any other time and you will still receive the standard discount price. We may hold orders for up to two weeks to try and reduce the effect of any short-term price rises- If you need the fuel urgently please say. Prices can go up as well as down, if we can't get a better price and the price goes up more than 3 pence per litre we will contact you before ordering. If you prefer a guaranteed price please order immediately using that day's price, you will however not be able to benefit from the extra bulk discount.
How to Order?
Once you have a local scheme and have been registered you can order by calling 01603 881 888
Extra Info
This scheme has a number of advantages over other models. It doesn’t require the whole group to order together, nor does it require payment to be made by a single person. Members also benefit from the county-wide nature of the scheme increasing the savings achieved from bulk buying.
A local group’s members must be in the same Post Code area e.g. NR20 3--
The scheme is open to existing Norfolk RCC members joining a local group to benefit from the multi-purchase discount. We have now broadened the Thinking..Fuel scheme to increase the range of products on offer to match our members bulk buying scheme Thinking Value.
For more information on our members discount scheme Thinking Value click here
- More than 10% of income on maintaining reasonable
temperature
**Dec ‘09- Dec ‘10 Department of Energy and Climate
Change