Well, it finally happened. Today, I received a call from someone who wanted to sell her home solely because it was heated by oil, and the price of oil was going so high. She was a senior citizen, on a fixed income, and had been "warned" by her oil company today that she should pre-purchase her winter supply of oil now. She was told that oil prices were predicted to go way over $5.00 per gallon, maybe even $6.00 per gallon. Today's oil costs were $3.69 per gallon if paid at time of delivery, and it would cost her $4.50 a gallon to pre-purchase, but, according to the salesperson, it would be worth it.
She didn't want to sell her home, but she just had to sell it.
Time out!!
Now, I'm sure that there's someone qualified to predict the price of oil in the future. However, it's not me, and I'm pretty sure that it's not the salesperson at that oil company. Oil prices may very well go to those levels, but warning of that certainty seems just wrong. Time for me to make a few calls of my own.
New England winters are cold and snowy--- not the coldest or the snowiest. Nevertheless, cold and snowy. 
Plans do have to be made because the winter is coming-- no doubt about it.
Time to take a deep breath and look at things more closely.
Here's what I found out by calling 6 different oil companies in our area:
- Oil prices vary between $3.69 and $3.94 per gallon if paid for at the time of purchase.
- Costs can be discounted by about 10 cents a gallon if payment is made within 10 days of delivery.
- Budget plans are available with equal, monthly payments over 9 or 10 months, based on past oil usage, but it will cost more to use that plan.
- Five out of six of the oil companies called were not offering Pre-Purchase or Buy-Ahead programs, because the cost of oil was too unpredictable.
- The price of a gallon of propane gas was equal to the cost of a gallon of oil, but the effieciency of a gas system made the gas go farther.
- Fuel assistance programs were available for qualified individuals who met strict guidelines, beginning with an appointment with a social worker to review their needs.
The website, www.HomeHeatingOilPrices.com, has articles about Energy Efficient Homes, Energy Tax Credits, even Themostats, and within it, there is a link with tips of reducing oil prices. These were helpful.
What's the final outcome for my caller? Time will tell. Good information and planning will help to reduce the fears that she is feeling now. Making a few adjustments to improve the insulation and weatherstripping of her home will also help. Selling the home simply because it is heated by oil seems impulsive, but it may factor into several reasons for deciding to sell at this time. Time, and further discussion, will tell.
However, the impact of the cost of oil on my senior clients was never made clearer. They are truly worried. and preparing for the worst. They need good information and assistance about this now, more than ever.
If you have tips for winter preparations and home heating solutions, please send them along. I truly appreciate all of your ideas!
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