Dear Friends,

The energy revolution has created a huge surge in oil production in the United States. This has helped plunge oil prices to their lowest level in six years. We’re finally starting to see the impact at the gas pump, and it is filtering into the wholesale cost of heating oil as well. That’s good news for all of us.

Meanwhile, natural gas customers have not been as fortunate. Last winter, natural gas prices spiked because pipelines could not distribute enough fuel. This year again, we saw natural gas prices rise at the very time oil prices were falling.

All of this goes to show that deciding to convert to natural gas based on temporary pricing levels is risky business. Oil, natural gas and electricity prices all rise and fall on a regular basis, but in unpredictable ways. Switching fuels to capture a temporary price advantage in one fuel has always been like trying to time the stock market.

By sticking with Burt’s Reliable and our Natural Heating Oil™, you are using a fuel that is cleaner than natural gas. Plus, by upgrading to a new high-efficiency oil heating system, you can save energy and keep your heating bills reasonable without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.

Warmly,
Martin Romanelli

1. Switch to AutoPay and make automatic payments with your MasterCard, Visa Debit or Discover card.
2. Go totally paperless! If you’re an automatic delivery customer, ask us to send your statements by email; you’ll cut down on paper clutter and be able to file your billing information electronically.

Everyone who enrolls in AutoPay or starts getting paperless statements will get a $5 account credit.*

*Valid for new enrollees only.

Q: Is it true there are new regulations for water heaters this year?

A: Yes. Starting in April, new residential gas, oil and electric water heaters will need to meet much higher federal efficiency standards. That’s not a bad thing, but to meet these standards, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average price for a new water heater will increase by at least $100.

Q: How does this affect me?

A: If your water-heating system isn’t meeting your home’s needs and you have been thinking about replacing it, now is the time to do something — before prices go up. The right size system will ensure that you always have enough hot water. We can help you choose the best water heater for your family’s needs. Give us a call today so we can help you save money and keep you more comfortable.

Learning How to Save Money and Stay Comfortable

We love kids! They have a lot of wisdom and they’re not shy about asking questions. Follow along as Ava and Jarrett quiz us about what we do. What they learn could make a difference in your own comfort—and save you money too!

How do you know that thing is going to work right?

Well, if this were a refrigerator, we would just bring it to your house, plug it in and we would be done. But a heating system is not that easy. First, we had to figure out what size system works best for your home and family.

Do systems come in small, medium and large?

Not exactly. When we talk about size, we’re talking about how much power the system has, sort of like a car’s engine. A system that has more power than your house needs will waste money.

But if there isn’t enough power, your home will not feel comfortable. And it will cost more money because a system that’s too small will keep running and running.

What size fits just right?

There are tests that help us figure out how much heat your home loses in the winter. This is one way we know how much power your home’s heating system needs. Once we pick out the right equipment, we make sure we put it in the right way. Some companies take shortcuts, but then the heater won’t work right. Your family will spend more money and your house won’t feel comfortable enough. We don’t take shortcuts. We always do things the right way because you’re important to us. We want you to feel comfortable and save money.

We’re trying to save for college. What else can we do to save money?

Replace old equipment.
Because we’re putting in a new heating system, your family is probably going to save hundreds of dollars every year on energy. You’ll also save money on repairs, because old machines break a lot.

Take care of your equipment.
Proper maintenance is essential to keeping equipment running efficiently and saving money. Your parents can talk to us about a service plan or maintenance program.

Change the temperature in your home.
You can probably help your parents with this. There are programmable thermostats that let you set the temperature you want at different times of the day and night. You don’t need to keep your home as warm when you’re sleeping or away from home, so this saves you money. There are also “smart” programmable thermostats that let you change the temperature with your smartphone or computer at any time, no matter where you are. If you use a programmable thermostat right, you may be able to help your parents save about $100 a year.

Do some window dressing.
Here’s another one you can help out with. In the morning, open the window blinds and let sunlight heat up your home naturally during the day. At night, close drapes to hold in the heat and keep out the cold. You can also stop cold air from getting inside by taping clear plastic film to the inside of the window frames.

I’ve Always Wondered How Oil Keeps Our House Warm. Can You Explain That to Me?

You’ve seen us pump oil into your oil tank before; it’s similar to your parents putting gasoline in their car to make it run. Oil is the fuel that makes your heater run.

How does it get inside our house?

When your house gets chilly, the thermostat will send a signal to tell the oil burner in the heater to turn on. A fuel pump then starts to draw the oil from the tank and through fuel lines to reach the oil burner.

So all of that oil goes from the tank to the heater and keeps burning?

Not all of it at once. During the winter, you may need to use four or five gallons of oil per day. Once the oil gets inside, it reaches an important piece on the burner called the nozzle. The nozzle turns the oil into a very fine spray. This oil mist will then mix with air and ignite in the combustion chamber, which gets very hot. The heat gets transferred to an exchanger. From there, the heat gets sent around your home.

Are we being green?

You certainly are! Many products are Energy Star rated, including oil heating systems. A blue Energy Star label means a product will use less energy and cause less pollution.

In just one year, Energy Star products helped Americans avoid the same amount of pollution as comes from 23 million cars! And together, these people saved $12 billion on their energy bills in one year.

In addition, the oil heat industry continues to focus on combining clean-burning technologies with greener fuels that feature a biofuel blend and low sulfur content.

Did you receive the biofuel usage statement we mailed in January? If not, please contact our offi ce. This information allows you to apply for a 20¢-per-gallon clean fuel state tax credit for using Burt’s Natural Heating Oil™. For a customer who uses 750 gallons of our biofuel per year, that’s a savings of $150 a year!

Burt’s Reliable is the only fuel company on the North Fork that delivers natural heating oil with a 20% biofuel blend. This is the cleanest-burning fuel available; it not only helps the environment, it helps your wallet too!

For your convenience, we have added the tax credit claim form along with the clean fuel credit instructions on our website, which you can download and print. Just click the links for “Heating” and “Natural Heating Oil.”

And please feel free to call us if you have any questions about this tax credit.

Once your heating system goes on, the humidity level in your home drops a lot. Low humidity leads to dry air, which affects your skin, eyes, throat and nose, creating an ideal environment for allergic reactions and even sickness. Research has shown that certain bacteria and viruses grow better in dry areas.

We can install a Honeywell or Aprilaire whole-house humidifier that will create a healthier, more comfortable environment in your home. As a bonus, when the humidity level goes up, you’ll feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting, so you’ll also save on your heating bill.

Please call, email us or contact us to learn more.

It’s never too early to think about air conditioning, especially when you can get the best off-season prices and great deals.

If your cooling system is more than 15 years old, you could reap real benefits from a system upgrade, including lowering your annual air conditioning costs by 30% or more. A new system will also help you stay more comfortable and reduce “hot spots” in your home.

Our experts can help you assess your needs and choose the right size and type of system for your home, and will install it properly— usually in just a day! Whether you use a central air conditioning unit or you’re interested in adding a ductless mini-split system to cool certain rooms, we can help!

Beat the rush! Call us today to request a free estimate.

Purchase a high-efficiency cooling system by April 15 and get a $175 discount!
Rebates and other incentives are available. You may also qualify for 0% financing!