Need help deciding on the fuel prepay ASAP

**nodmicks** · 06-22-2011, 11:06 AM

The fuel company is doing the pre-pay differently this year. It is usually due the end of Aug. to mid Sept. They now have 1 contract due JULY 1st. It is for $1.89 a gallon.

The letter states there will be another prepay off coming up that could be a higher or lower price. I have no idea what the price of natural gas is doing!

I'm hoping my wise villager friends have some info or opinions for me!

**mh3rdwheel** · 06-22-2011, 11:15 AM

What do you mean of prepay is as in gasoline? if you could get it for that price go for it.

**nodmicks** · 06-22-2011, 11:18 AM

It is propane gas for heating for the long cold WI winter season. The only catch is if the price drops in August-Sept when the second contract comes out we will have paid more. I'm really hoping someone has been observing the trends.

**Michelle68** · 06-22-2011, 11:20 AM

No, I believe she means pre-pay of fuel to heat the house for winter. Down here in the south we don't have that dilemma, but I'll be interested to see what advice you get. I was just telling my DH and DS about many of my FV friends up north having to do this for the winter.

**Russ** · 06-22-2011, 12:12 PM

We are in the same quandary. Not sure what to do.

**nodmicks** · 06-22-2011, 12:44 PM

Yep you sure are right Michelle. Oh no Russ ! It is a tough decision as the price could go up or down. We will get a summer fill in July at that price though regardless. It is just like gambling!

**Russ** · 06-22-2011, 12:47 PM

It is gambling!

**nodmicks** · 06-22-2011, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Russ

It is gambling!

Yep except at least you are guaranteed something ~ fuel~ unlike a casino etc.

**ladytoysdream** · 06-22-2011, 01:21 PM

I pay attention to propane prices. What I have read online, is that end of June and maybe the first week in July, would be your lowest price per gallon for the year.

Call around and see what prices are out there.
Somewhere online, you may be able to find some kind of list that tracks the prices weekly. I just looked at our local TV channel website, and they have changed the format for the price list. Only showing now the current price for this week, and comparing 5 different businesses.

We need to get filled a 100 pounder ( about 22 gallons + ) tank sometime real soon. Last summer we waited too long and were into the fall and got hit with the higher price. A 100 # tank lasts us about 7 to 10 months for our cookstove. We alternate between 2 tanks.

We do have one company locally who has a special all summer on tuesdays only to fill the barbeque size propane tanks for 9.99 each. I took advantage of that, not too long ago, to get 2 tanks filled.

We used to use 500 gallons of propane a year to heat our house, and for cooking with. The company we were using would probably cost us somewhere between $ 1500 and $ 2000 for a year now.
We made the decision to go OWB ( outside wood boiler furnace )and that costs us about $ 700 a year for the wood. It also heats our hot water in the winter. We have used wood for 3 winters now. I wish we had done this a LOT sooner than we did.

I don't see the price of ANY fuel coming down.

Talking with one of my sons yesterday and he said coal is $ 185 a ton now, and will go to $ 285 this fall. That sounds like a awful big increase to me.

**nodmicks** · 06-22-2011, 01:29 PM

Thanks so much for the very informative post! That was exactly what I was looking for! That makes it look like July 1 is a good bet for the prepay.

We talked about the outdoor wood stove a few years back and should have done it then. We have access to free wood. The cost is higher now and we couldnt recoup the coast before we sell in 3 years. We should have done it 13 years ago!!! Of course we couldnt afford to put it in then! Hindsight says we should have!

Wanted to add we only have one choice as a supplier for the propane so their price is it.

**ladytoysdream** · 06-22-2011, 02:18 PM

Well I decided I better take my own advice.

Just got off the phone finding out prices.
Country Max was $ 2.95 last week. This week is $ 3.25

It's on the way back up.

Suburban wants $ 70.27 to fill a 100 pounder.
She did say I could get the better rate on the tuesday special and it would be $ 50.68 Guess I better get it done ASAP.
I asked about that when I had the 2 barbeque tanks filled and got a different answer. Bet I take my little notes for prices with me, and who I talked to, today.

I just did a google search for gallons per 100 pounder.

100 pounds / 4.24 pounds per gallon = 23.58 gallons

So my best advice now.........don't wait.

**nodmicks** · 06-22-2011, 02:32 PM

Thanks! Is that also propane?

**mh3rdwheel** · 06-22-2011, 02:50 PM

I have never heated with propane, I love heating with wood, two years ago we had alarge wood burner (the old fashioned kind it was at least 70 years old), we would take our truck and go back roading to find trees that fell down, take chain saws and cut up the wood and stock up on wood, for the price of gasoline. This was not done on private property.