Why Oil Prices Are What They Are (and What You Can Do about It)
posted by NYOHA @ 2:06pm, Wednesday, February 15th, 2012.
We won't beat around the bush; energy prices are higher this year than last. If there is good news, it is that, due to a warmer winter, average household heating oil expenditures are now expected to be lower than originally forecasted.
- Changes in the cost of crude oil: Since crude oil is a major price component of heating oil, changes in the price of crude will generally affect the price of Oilheat. Crude oil prices are determined by: worldwide supply and demand, which can vary with worldwide political conflicts and weather; fears about possible disruptions in worldwide supply; increasing energy demands from developing nations; reduced refinery output from recessionary slow-downs; Wall Street speculators using the energy futures markets as a profit source; and the weakened U.S. dollar.
- Regional operating costs: Prices also are impacted by costs of doing business in a particular area, including wages and salaries, benefits, equipment, lease/rent, insurance, overhead, and state and local fees.
What can you do to control your energy costs? You have several options:
As your local Oilheat dealer, we offer a variety of full-service conveniences* to help you manage and lower your energy bills:
- Consider investing in new, high-efficiency equipment. You could lower your energy costs by up to 30% or more.
- Get your boiler or furnace tuned up annually. According to NORA (the National Oilheat Research Alliance), an annual spring or fall tune-up can shave up to 5% off your fuel bill.
- Enroll in a service plan. It will protect you against costly equipment repairs or even breakdowns.
- Take our (conservation) advice. We really care about your comfort - and we are always here to offer simple steps to lower your energy bills. Try these out, and call us for more great ideas:
- Lower your thermostat by 5-10 degrees, especially when everyone's asleep or out of the house
- Install a programmable or set-back thermostat so you don't have to remember to reset the thermostat
- Seal up gaps around windows and doors with caulk
- Open your window treatments during the daytime to let the sun warm the room
- Wrap your hot water heater with a hot water heater blanket
- Wrap your hot water pipes with pipe insulation
You'll find more valuable conservation tips here.
No matter where energy prices go, we want to make it clear that we are your conservation partner, helping you find ways to cut energy consumption and save some much-needed cash.
*Please consult your local Oilheat dealer as to specific full-service features offered.
New York City Oilheat Dealers ♥ Their Customers – with Value-Added Full Service
posted by NYOHA @ 8:52am, Wednesday, February 15th, 2012.
Valentine's Day is coming soon, and we want all our customers (and potential customers) to know how much we care.
How? By offering real value through full service features AND warm, personal attention you simply won't find anywhere else.*
- High-quality heating equipment for both homes and businesses
- Exceptional installations by our own professional, highly-trained technicians
- Rapid around-the-clock emergency response
- Comprehensive service contracts to ensure maximum equipment efficiency
- Convenient budget plans, so you can keep energy costs under control
- Helpful conservation advice to help you save energy and cash
*Not all New York City Oilheat dealers offer all these services. Please check with your individual dealer as to specific services offered.
Martin Luther King Day (January 16) – a Day of Service
posted by NYOHA @ 10:31am, Friday, January 13th, 2012.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" Each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities.
The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. Join the hundreds of thousands of people who serve on MLK Day and throughout the year. Find a project in your community or register your own project so that volunteers can find it. Perhaps you would like to volunteer and "green" your community!
NYOHA, the New York Oil Heating Association - the folks who bring you this blog - is rooted in service. The Association is a tireless advocate, constantly monitoring and steering the policies, regulations and issues that affect our members and their customers. We can say that we "have a dream" for a greener and cleaner New York City, and through our actions, are seeing it through.