Collective Purchasing

Bulk oil buying

The power of collective purchasing can keep your central heating oil prices down. This is possible because the supplier saves money on transport by delivering to households situated near to each other.

Community Lincs brokers a not-for-profit bulk-oil buying scheme for communities across Lincolnshire. They also work in partnership with Lincoln Credit Union who support a regular savings scheme designed to help with fuel purchasing and the big bills which cause cashflow problems,

Solar electricity

Some installers of solar pv panels will offer a discounted price when a group of households approach them collectively.

• If you know of other householders in your community interested in purchasing these, joining forces to form a buying group can collectively save you thousands of pounds. Ask for a quote for everyone together.
• If you already have panels ask your own supplier if they offer incentives for you to recommend them to others. Some will offer a cash payment to individuals but others will contribute more if it is to a community fund.
• Your community may be targeted by a company offering ‘rent a roof’ panels where they make the capital investment but you can take advantage in cheaper electricity. You should be able to negotiate a better deal the more of you take part. We recommend you read the Consumer Focus Factsheet.