Heating oil price is down 35 percent

Oct 13, 2009 at 02:46 pm by Observer-Review


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Heating oil price is down 35 percent

TRI-COUNTY AFEA—It’s getting colder outside and turning on the heat is inevitable.  The good news is that currently, the cost per gallon of the most used heating sources is down compared to last year.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority tracks and reports prices on its Web site.  The latest numbers are from Oct. 5.  According to NYSERDA, heating oil prices are down compared to last year; 35 percent.  The current price per gallon is $2.43 and was $3.75 last year.  That is for western New York, which includes Yates, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties.
Colleen Ryan, assistant director of communications for NYSERDA, said one of the big reasons for the change in heating oil prices is that last year, the cost of crude oil was higher.
The cost of kerosene is down 34.5 percent compared to this time last year.  The price now is $2.82 per gallon, and it was $4.31 per gallon.  Propane is also down, 18.9 percent.  According to NYSERDA the price currently is $2.35 and was $2.90 per gallon.  Roland Penta, president of Phelps Sungas, said for them, propane prices are down the same percent, but 15 cents cheaper than NYSERDA’s current price.  He explained that Sungas’ prices are typically under the NYSERDA one.
“Energy is a large part of everyone’s budgets,” explained Penta.  “People are cutting back, living with lower temperatures, and buying energy efficient appliances.”
He added that buying a new furnace can reduce heating bills by 10 to 20 percent, if the pervious furnace is 10 or more years old.  Penta said people are also turning more towards alternative heating sources, like wood pellets.
Penta said that traditionally when it comes to heating prices, New York sees the lowest in the northeast.  He added that this region of New York sees prices in the lower end range within the state.  Penta also said that the prices look to stay down compared to last year during the winter.
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