Prepaying for Heating Oil

**banana** · 04-12-2006, 10:28 PM

I did this in the past however I didnt do it this past year because I thought the price of $1.89 a gallon seemed sooo high to me.

Is anyone considering prepaying their oil or propane for the upcoming winter season? I am going to be calling around in a few weeks to see what prices are being offered.

Is anyone thinking the same as me? If so what do you think is a good price to lock in at? I'm starting to get concerned because the price of gas is increasing every week I could only imagine what the oil prices will be like next fall/winter.

**nodmicks** · 04-18-2006, 09:57 AM

We do a summer fill and prepay out heat(gas) every summer. The company has a clause that if the price drops below the prepay price we get it credited back. Its a win win situation.
However it sounds like our company may not let us do prepay this summer! I hope thats not the case!

**Darlene** · 04-18-2006, 10:22 AM

We prepay & lock in a fixed price every year. 2005-2006 was $1.99gal. Not sure what this next seasons will be but I'm sure we'll go for it. Going to have leftover $$ from prepaying the oil (it was a mild winter & we heated primarily with wood)& we'll just keep it in our account to go towards next years heating.

**banana** · 04-19-2006, 02:37 PM

I called a company that was advertising prepay for home heating oil for next season.....................

Ready for the shock!

$2.449 a gallon! I was in shock! The lady on the phone said it probably will be well over $3.00 a gallon come the fall! I better start to save those pennies!

**PeacewithMyself** · 04-19-2006, 02:57 PM

We don't have oil here. We use propane they won't let us pre-buy. Darn!

But, I know here in the PNwest you can pre pay your electric bill. We are on a farm credit refund system. So, we always get a discount subtracted from the bill.

**slowtypinwoman** · 04-19-2006, 04:49 PM

We only used 30% last year. We will probly top it off this summer.

**banana** · 04-21-2006, 08:17 AM

My mom called me last night to tell me the prepay price for oil in NY is $2.80 a gallon! Outrageous!

**Darlene** · 04-21-2006, 08:52 AM

It sometimes pays to shop around, you may find one that's much cheaper.
Glad we are heating more & more with wood. It's alot of work but it sure saves the pocketbook.

**banana** · 04-21-2006, 09:01 AM

Darlene - Thanks! I will be shopping around. Not all the companies are stating what their prepay rate will be yet. I am just shocked that it is up so high.

**Darlene** · 04-21-2006, 09:38 AM

Going to call mine now & see if they have a rate yet. That is $2.80 is nutso.
Called

, they won't know til mid-may.

I'll keep you posted.

**PeacewithMyself** · 04-21-2006, 01:14 PM

Just want to mention to those who my need some extra help with heating expenses this year. Look for your Community Action Council in your yellow pages. It's a non-profit agency that helps with energy assistance. My Dh has been managing this program for this agency for years. The Energy Assistance Program will pay a % of your heating costs or 1 month of usage. Every little bit helps!

**banana** · 04-21-2006, 04:44 PM

Great idea! Thanks for sharing the info.

**Buckeye5** · 04-24-2006, 12:07 PM

We aren't allowed to prepay for propane either. we just bought another 200 gallons about a couple weeks ago, and it was $2.23 a gal, for the toal cost of $478.00. I am worried since I want to quit working.

**nodmicks** · 04-26-2006, 07:59 AM

We do use propane and have been able top prepay so far. We have a 500 gallon tank as we are in the country. I'm thinking maybe it might pay to get a nw tank. Our is from the co-op in the big city about 30 min away. We pay 10 cents more a gallon for using their tank and no one else can fill it.
I think I'll call them today and ask our galoin usage 4 the last 8 years and figure out what the 10cents cost vesus a new tank.
Think it might pay?

**banana** · 04-26-2006, 09:08 AM

Rodmick - I know my sis has propane also. She lives in the country and has to use the "company tank". She is stuck with getting the propane from that company only.

Do you know how much a new tank will cost you including the hookup? Are there other companies in the area that offer competitive prices for the propane? Can you ask the company you have now if you can purchase the tank that is already there? Maybe they would take a certain percentage off for depreciation?