Anyone who is currently refueling with heating oil has to pay 42.5 percent more than a year ago.

This number stands out in the monthly price report of the Federal Statistical Office.

Since a delivery is often at least 1000 liters, but mostly 3000 or even 10,000 liters, this is not about little money.

In the 10,000 liter example, 7100 euros are now due instead of 5000 euros.

2100 euros that are missing in the account and are painful.

Daniel Mohr

Editor in the economy of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

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But the almost fearful question of some heating oil addicts is whether the price upswing will ever end.

According to the EID energy information service, an average of EUR 43 per 100 liters of heating oil in 15 German cities had to be paid in November, it is now more than EUR 75.

There is good news and bad news.

First the bad: It can get even more expensive.

There have always been prices of more than 90 euros per 100 liters.

And now the good one: It won't get infinitely more expensive.

It is worth taking a look at the price history.

In the past 15 years the price of heating oil has fluctuated sharply, between 40 and 100 euros per 100 liters.

The lows were mostly short-lived.

And the highs too.

In between there were many phases with prices in the 50s, 60s and 70s euro regions.

It was an average of 69.50 euros.

Behind this is a relatively simple way the oil market works.

It is still influenced by the OPEC cartel, which is interested in a reasonable price for the oil countries.

Prices that are too high run the risk of the search for oil alternatives being pushed too hard, which deprives the countries of their business base.

Too low prices are not sufficient for the national budgets of the oil countries.

So depending on the price, they limit or expand the oil supply.

They have just struggled intensively for an extension and decided on Sunday.

However, implementation does not happen overnight.

However, if you have a few months of patience, you will get lower oil prices again.

Do you have any questions about money?

Please contact Daniel Mohr at fragdenmohr@faz.de