Oil central heating remains the primary heating source for over 60% of households
Date published:
New official statistics published by NISRA statisticians in the Department for the Economy indicate that, in 2024/25, the majority of households (61%) reported oil central heating as their primary method of household heating. This represents a decrease of 9 percentage points from 70% in 2015/16.
Key findings
- Just over one-third (36%) of households reported gas as the primary method of heating their home. This is statistically significantly higher than the 32% reported in 2023/24.
- In 2024/25, four-fifths (80%) of households with more than one heating method reported using an open/closed fire or stove as their secondary method compared to 78% in 2023/24. This year-on-year difference is not statistically significant.
- Of those households burning solid fuels in an open/closed fire or stove as the secondary method of home heating, 45% reported burning wood logs (seasoned and unseasoned), just over a quarter (26%) smokeless coal and just under a quarter (24%) ordinary household coal as the main fuel.
- In 2024/25, 96% of households reported that some or all their windows were double-glazed, while 3% had some or all triple-glazed windows. Nearly three-quarters (73%) had some form of loft insulation, just over a fifth (21%) reported having some form of roof insulation, and almost three-fifths (58%) had wall insulation.
About the publication
This report presents summary statistical information on the results of the household heating and insulation questions from the 2024/25 Continuous Household Survey (CHS) with comparison to 2015/16 and 2023/24 data, where applicable.
The Continuous Household Survey Heat and Insulation Results 2024/25 provides insights into how households in Northern Ireland heat their homes and use insulation, helping to understand energy use, fuel poverty, and support environmental and housing policy. It tracks changes in heating methods, insulation measures, and consumer behaviour.
Further information
Read the full report: Continuous Household Survey Heat and Insulation Results 2024/25
View more information and data tables: Continuous Household Survey Heat and Insulation Results 2024/25