subject: Heating Oil Prices: Finding the Best Deal [print this page] Whether maintaining an oil furnace or planning to buy one, you would surely want to tame your expenses, and that's why you should closely look at heating oil prices. Price is erratic but has been on the downward trend since January 2010. Depending on the world market, it may continue in that trend or go the opposite direction. But there are good things to take note of when scouting for the best deal.
There are a lot of vendors out there claiming to offer the best price. But don't just look at the figures; you'll want to see the total package. Quite a number of homeowners have raised issues with some companies, noting problems with delivery or poor customer service as some of the issues encountered. Make sure to check how they do business.
Finding the best deal is a sure winner, but don't get tied down with only one company. Some companies offer pre-order services, and this can be tricky. You may have the best price today but as the price changes, you may end up paying higher. It is ideal to establish a good business relationship, but if controlling your expenses is a major goal, then it's good to keep tab of heating oil prices and go for the best deal.
Some companies may not offer the lowest price but will let you pay in installments, helping you manage your expenses better. Be wary of out-of-the world deals as they may actually come with strings attached. At times, it's better to pay higher for premium service like quick delivery, etc. Such services will come in handy when you run out of oil in the middle of winter.
When making a purchase, you may also want to consider timing. Trend shows that prices tend to go down in summertime and then hit the bottom towards the latter part of the season. This could be the best time to go shopping for fuel. Be mindful though that oil prices are very volatile, it would be a good idea to keep yourself abreast of market movements. Keeping these things in mind when comparing heating oil prices will help you tame your bills.
