The Hard Times Cafe

How will fuel prices effect winters heat bill and what can you do about it?

Though summer hasn't actually started heating months are less than 5 months away here in the north country.  The outrageous fuel prices that greet us at the gas pump and are lurking in the grocery store will also greet us in our home heating this winter, not that we didn't see some of it this past winter, but it will get worse.  So to help be prepared, at least as much as possible, below are some facts about the price of propane pasted from different government sites.  There is also some information to help prepare what might help with the cost.  Though not always feasible to change your source of heat, example wood instead of propane, there are things you can consider to help with up coming winter fuel consumption. 

Gas in our area has risen above the $4 mark and shows no sign of stopping.  It will effect every other form of fuel that is out there, unless of course you have your own tree lot.

Below is also a link to a government site for predicted fuel cost for 2008 which has already exceeded their prediction.

Until next time,

The Intentional Peasant~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What Influences Propane Prices?

Propane prices are subject to a number of influences, some common to all petroleum products, and others unique to propane.

Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices – Although propane is produced from both crude oil refining and natural gas processing, its price is influenced mainly by the cost of crude oil. This is because propane competes mostly with crude oil-based fuels

Q: Does propane follow the pricing tendencies of other fuel sources? A: Since propane is extracted from crude oil and processed from natural gas, the price of propane follows the price of these energy commodities – particularly the cost of crude oil. Overall, prices for crude oil and the cost of natural gas have been steadily rising and propane costs have followed these increases.   Government site on speculation of fuel: gas, propane, etc cost.  This sites projected cost of fuel for 2008 were under estimated and we have only been through the first have of 2008. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html   Figure 2. Heating Oil Prices Follow Crude Oil What can you do to lower your heating oil bill? You can arrange to have your tank filled in late summer or early fall when prices are generally lower. Talk to your heating oil dealer about participating in a budget plan to help stabilize your monthly bill. You can also talk to your heating oil dealer about “cap” or fixed price protection programs, which can help keep costs down. You can obtain a home energy audit to ensure that your furnace and appliances are running efficiently before the season begins. You can achieve conservation gains by weatherizing your home, i.e., installing the proper insulation in your house and around your hot water heater. Quick and easy fixes such as caulking and weather stripping windows and doors to seal out cold air also help save energy. Installing a programmable thermostat and reducing temperature settings on your thermostat, especially when you are not at home, are other ways to reduce your heating fuel costs. Lastly, both Federal and State energy assistance programs are available to heating oil customers who have a limited budget. For example, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a Federal program that distributes funds to States to help low-income households pay heating bills. Additional State energy assistance and fuel fund programs may be available to help households during a winter emergency. To find out if you qualify for assistance in your State, see: www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/grantees/index.html#states or contact your local heating oil dealer.

Untitled Comment

03:13, Friday, May 16, 2008 .. Posted by glenda

The fuel cost for the winter time is really worring me. For us we use Kernsone to heat with.. And we were looking and for one gallon it was almost 5.00 it takes 1 1/2 gal to heat our home in the even and all night... Then we turn it off in the morning when we get. Everyone gets good and clothed and well with the stove going we just make due.. Sometimes in the winter time our home gets down to 50 degrees.. If prices keep going up we will be in real trouble come winter time. This is why i am stressing getting as much food in the pantry that i can.. AT least i know i will not have to spend money on food and it can go to heating oil..
god bless
glenda