Update on heating oil prices

Dear Friends,
In early October, OPEC announced it would slash crude oil production by two million barrels a day. Within just three days, our suppliers increased the cost of heating oil by 70 cents per gallon!

This is not just impacting heating oil. Expect natural gas, electricity, gasoline and propane to move higher too.

This is not simply about supply and demand.

When prices move this far this fast, you can always see the impact of Wall Street firms that jump in to take advantage of the momentum to make a quick buck. It frustrates the heck out of us.

Of course, by the time you’re reading this, things may have turned around just as quickly.

We saw prices spike in spring only to drop by over a dollar in summer. There are just too many variables to know where things will go from here. But please bear this in mind:

We hate high prices and volatility just as much as you do. It hurts both our customers and our company, and it makes planning very difficult.

Supply issues could become problematic. While we have excellent relationships with our suppliers, it is imperative that you go on (or stay on) automatic delivery. This way, if we either go on “allocation” from suppliers, have drivers out sick or face severe weather, we can manage capacity better and keep you warm.

If you’d like to know how much heating oil you used last year so you can project this year’s bills more accurately, call us. This is going to be painful, but it will be helpful to be able to plan for it.

If you are having trouble with your payments, it is critical that you call us as soon as you realize there’s an issue. We can work with you but only if you communicate with us early.

I will try to keep you informed as events unfold. (Please check our website for updates.) There are many things we can’t control, but we will always prioritize our existing customers over new ones. We will go the extra mile to keep you safe and warm. And we will be there when you need us.

Warmly,
Martin Romanelli

Worried about your tank?

Granby oil tank Did you know that today’s oil tanks are light-years ahead of older models?

They’re corrosionproof, and many feature double-wall construction that makes them more durable than their predecessors.

We highly recommend the Granby Ecogard aboveground tank, which is virtually leak-proof, with warranties of up to 25 years.

Call us to get a free estimate on an oil tank installation.

Winterizing your vacation home

Winter vacation home Our plumbing team is standing by to winterize your home whenever you’re ready. If you hire another company to perform this service, please let us know so we can adjust our heating oil deliveries accordingly.

On our website, under About Us, go to the Vacation Homes section to learn about our specialized services.

Ask the expert

Q: Why is an electric heat pump not a good option for heating my home?

A: An electric heat pump works by capturing heat from the outside air and transferring it to your home. However, when the weather is really cold, there isn’t enough heat energy for the heat pump to keep your home comfortable.

Older heat pumps often supply heated air at 95°F, which is colder than your body temperature.

In contrast, heating oil systems produce much higher indoor air temperatures, guaranteeing that you will keep your home toasty warm even during frigid winters. Highly efficient oil furnaces and oil boilers produce enough thermal energy to heat your home without the need for a backup system, which is pretty much a standard requirement for anyone who has a heat pump.

Clean fuel tax credit

Elderly woman with laptop Because we blend our heating oil with 20% biofuel, you qualify for a 20¢-per-gallon state tax credit. That means a
typical Burt’s customer can save about $150 each year!

We mail you an annual summary of deliveries listing dates and the number of gallons you purchased. To save on paper, we email this information to everyone who has their email address on file with us.

You can also get the tax credit information you need by going into your online account.

Straight talk about supply

truck reflection As we entered the fall, heating oil inventory in the Northeast stood at much lower levels than average for a variety of reasons, including the war in Ukraine. We’ve also seen a reluctance among major fuel suppliers to stock up on highpriced fuel for storage.

While this situation is less than ideal, there is no need for panic.

We have solid relationships with reliable fuel suppliers. This puts us in a much stronger position than the many small-time operators who have to line up their trucks every day to get their oil at regional supply terminals.

We want you to rest easy. As we’ve done for many years, we promise to deliver premium fuel, comfort and peace of mind to you.

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