Oilheat FAQs
How are heating oil prices determined?
Heating oil - like natural gas, propane and electricity - is traded on the commodities market, where prices go up and down, similar to the stock market. The largest influence on the cost of heating oil is the price of its raw material: crude oil.
Do dealers wait until prices are high to deliver?
Of course not! Deliveries are scheduled based on the customer's need, the weather, and the most efficient truck routes. No reputable dealer would try to time deliveries based on price. Besides, prices are no more predictable to the dealer than they are to the customer. Prices are so volatile these days that the price we pay for a gallon can change by 20 cents or more in a single day! A price that looks high one day could look low three days later.
Why do prices differ between companies?
Heating oil is a competitive business. Oil companies' prices vary based on numerous factors, including:
- The condition of the fuel and the amount of supply.
- The quality and type of service the dealer provides.
- The payment terms, delivery options, and equipment repair service the dealer offers.
With Tomasso Bros. you are guaranteed the finest oil, exceptional service, and reasonable prices!
Does upgrading to a new Oilheat system make economic sense?
Absolutely! Anyone who has been putting off an upgrade from an older system should make their move now. With heating oil costs remaining volatile, a move to a high efficiency system can help you save a great deal of money. The more fuel you use, the more you stand to save. If your usage is high because your current system is old or because your home is large, a new system could pay for itself in less time than you think. Once you've recovered your investment, the savings will just keep coming and coming, year after year!
How Much Money Can I Save By Upgrading?
If your current equipment is fairly new, you might save only 15 percent or so. If it's old and inefficient, you could save 40 percent or maybe even more. Multiply that by the price-per-gallon of heating oil and the amount you use in a year, and you could save thousands of dollars.
How Do I Decide What To Do?
We recommend you begin by giving us a call. Our energy efficiency experts can examine your usage, evaluate your current system and discuss your choices in new equipment. We'll spell out all your options, including the latest, most efficient equipment. If you're making the move, you might want to reach for the most efficient equipment that money can buy, because the return on your investment is spectacular. Whether you're going high-end or working on a tight budget, we'll help you understand your options and make the best choice. You'll find us friendly and easy to work with, but you can expect us to level with you at the same time: This is a great time to invest in high efficiency! There's no better way to insulate yourself from the fallout of high energy prices. If you can afford to make the move, you should!
Should I Switch to Gas Heat?
When prices are high, some people think about switching fuels, but it doesn't work out. Converting to a new fuel is far more expensive than upgrading, and price advantages usually disappear because the prices for the different types of fuel track each other closely. As they say in the industry, "a BTU is a BTU." Where home heating is concerned, this means that it is fruitless to chase a price advantage that one fuel has at any time. Major industries like electricity generation will always switch to the less expensive fuel for their needs, causing the prices to equalize before long. Anyone who has ever switched fuels in hopes of tapping into a lower price has wound up frustrated. If you're hearing that you should switch to utility gas (what the utilities call "natural" gas), just say that you're not going to waste money on a system conversion when history shows that price advantages don't last.
Reasons you should use Oilheat:
- Oilheat is more efficient, on average 16 percent more efficient than natural gas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Oilheat is safe. Oil doesn't explode, nor can it pose a health hazard for you, your family, or your property.
- Oilheat is clean. In fact, heating oil burns so cleanly that Oilheat emissions aren't even regulated by the Federal Clean Air Act.
- Oilheat is dependable. You can count on plenty of fuel from Tomasso Bros. - even on those cold days in the middle of winter.
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