Propane prices?

[sum-r breeze]

What is everyone paying for propane this heating season? We have Dead River from Maine and are awaiting our first bill. Thanks in advance for any input.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[surfnsnow]

we just paid eastern propane $4.47 ouch!

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by surfnsnow

we just paid eastern propane $4.47 ouch!

This summer we joined Our Town Energy Alliance ttps://www.otchoice.com/ which cost us $25 to join. Price dropped from about $4.50 per gallon to I believe it is $2.55 per gallon, with Eastern Propane. Our last fill up saved us almost $140 over what we paid last year.

Not sure if you can get in now. Contact them and see.

[HellRaZoR004]

We got a delivery earlier this month at $2.79/gallon. You at 2x that amount, I would call and rip into them. Shop around.

[codeman671]

I guess that I will gladly take the $1.65 I just paid and smile!

[MeredithMan]

our last fill-up from Rymes was at the end of October...$2.89, I believe.

MM

[Pineedles]

Why is there such a diversity of prices? I just paid $2.45 down here in CT. last year NH had much lower pricing than us, this year not so much.

I use it for on-demand hot water, stove/oven, and heating a split level home. Probably 1200 gals. per year.

[HellRaZoR004]

What everyone is leaving out is how many gallons do you buy over the course of 1 year. I'm sure that has a significant impact on the cost.

I'm probably less than 500 gallons.

[surfnsnow]

my propane is only for my stove and they auto deliver. this time I got 7 gallons so I really didn't pay attention . well I am now! should be an interesting phone call tomorrow

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by surfnsnow

my propane is only for my stove and they auto deliver. this time I got 7 gallons so I really didn't pay attention . well I am now! should be an interesting phone call tomorrow

At that kind of volume you'd be better off getting a 100lb cylinder at Lowes and having it filled when you need it. I cant imagine they like to come out to fill only 7 gallons.

My new price is based on 7500-8000 gallons a year as I was able to tie my home into my business account. Last year on my own plan with a tank I owned at home I was at $2.19, net 30 using a 320 gallon tank with 1500 gallon annual usage.

[upthesaukee]

Is only about a 150 gallons or so. We have gas hot water, gas dryer, and gas stove.

Only two of us. A couple or 3 loads of wash per week, fairly short showers, dishwasher runs once or twice a week, and once the warmer weather comes, it is out to the BBQ for supper.

[HellRaZoR004]

What is your source of heat?

[surfnsnow]

monitor heater/ k2 oil and that price is reasonable. but it's a good point regarding auto delivery. I'm going to talk with them this morning about delivering when needed as opposed to auto.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

What is your source of heat?

Wasn't sure who you asked the question of...

I have K-1 for my oil burner, but our primary source is our woodstove. We go through just over 5 cords which is cheaper than two tanks of oil.

[HellRaZoR004]

upthesaukee, how much oil do you go through even when you burn 5 cords of wood?

I too heat with wood and I'm surprised my propane company hasn't raised the prices. It might be because my water heater (propane) is very inefficient. I've toyed with the idea of getting on-demand.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

upthesaukee, how much oil do you go through even when you burn 5 cords of wood?

I too heat with wood and I'm surprised my propane company hasn't raised the prices. It might be because my water heater (propane) is very inefficient. I've toyed with the idea of getting on-demand.

Usually have a delivery about every 8 or 9 months. Depends on how cold it is, and how windy. When it is cold and windy, we kick up the thermostat; we have crawl space underneath, that really can't be sealed tight, and our well pump comes up in it, and there are all sorts of ways for cold air to get to the wall space. Too complicated to go into here. Keeping the temp underneath at 32 or higher equals no pipe problems. knock on wood.

Our Masonic Lodge has an on-demand hot water heater (Navion. Replaced an oil fired. Saved 230 gallons over the summer ). Over all good. Only problem we are having to work around is our commercial dishwasher. It is a water miser, and uses the rinse water as the next wash cycle water. Not enough water use to the dishwasher to keep the water hot. We have worked around that, and are making a permanent change by adding a re-circulator to recirculate the water and keep it hot until the dishwasher needs it. Over all, we like it a lot.

[Anvil]

I just received my bill from Dead River last week. The price is $2.79 up from $2.69 the month before.

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I guess that I will gladly take the $1.65 I just paid and smile!

Who is your supplier with the attractive price and do they automatic deliver?

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

Who is your supplier with the attractive price and do they automatic deliver?

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

I use Borderline in Somersworth. Keep in mind that my killer price is based on 7500+ gallons. A standard household price is probably $2.19-2.79 depending on your usage, if you are using it as main heat. For those using it just for dryers or cooking you would not make out nearly as well.

[BroadHopper]

I think my neighbor locks in his price for the year at 2.29.

[jetskier]

Hi all,

One of the best (and least known) ways to save on propane and/or oil is to join the Our Town Energy Alliance. An annual membership is $25 and it entitles you to participate in their negotiated bulk discount rates. The best rates are typically locked in during the summer months.

Here is the description of how the plan works:

http://www.otchoice.com/energy.asp

We have done this for years and we have been able to get very good prices on both propane and oil.

Jetskier

[rsmlp]

have been using Our Town Energy Alliance for years and STILL pay 50% more for propane than nat gas which we have in our house in NY. propane is a ripoff but there are really no good alternatives.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by jetskier

Hi all,

One of the best (and least known) ways to save on propane and/or oil is to join the Our Town Energy Alliance. An annual membership is $25 and it entitles you to participate in their negotiated bulk discount rates. The best rates are typically locked in during the summer months.

Here is the description of how the plan works:

http://www.otchoice.com/energy.asp

We have done this for years and we have been able to get very good prices on both propane and oil.

Jetskier

Who owns the propane tanks?
Who installs the propane tanks?
Are there fees involved with the propane tanks?

Who does a service call?

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Who owns the propane tanks?
Who installs the propane tanks?
Are there fees involved with the propane tanks?

Who does a service call?

Eastern Propane is one of the propane suppliers for the Our Town Energy Alliance. In our case, Eastern owns, installed and services the tanks. I could own the tank if I wanted to. The only fee is the yearly $25 to Our Town. I get a better rate (most years) and am just another Eastern customer. Here is the link to their suppliers of oil and propane.

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by codeman671

I use Borderline in Somersworth. Keep in mind that my killer price is based on 7500+ gallons. A standard household price is probably $2.19-2.79 depending on your usage, if you are using it as main heat. For those using it just for dryers or cooking you would not make out nearly as well.

I don't fire anywhere near that number. Heat is set to 50 for the winter and we only use the place a couple of times during the heating season at the 70 degree setting. I think we were in the $2.69 range the last bill we got.

The Breeze
wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[TheProfessor]

12/19/2013

500 gallon tank.
Propane central heat.

Cost of propane today as quoted on telephone is:

$2.40 per gallon.
EASTERN PROPANE.

[BraunBayGuy]

Just got my bill. Tank filled on 12/13. $2.08 a gallon for Eastern Propane. I am a Our Town Energy Alliance member.

[Senter Cove Guy]

For those of you using Our Town Energy Alliance for propane, who supplies the tank? Rent, buy ???

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

For those of you using Our Town Energy Alliance for propane, who supplies the tank? Rent, buy ???

That would be between you and your provider. OTEA only negotiates a price structure with the various providers.

[Senter Cove Guy]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

That would be between you and your provider. OTEA only negotiates a price structure with the various providers.

I'm assuming that the customer has a large tank, 500 gallons or more. OTEA's low cost provider could change from year to year. Does that mean the customer has to have a new tank installed each time there's a provider change?

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

I'm assuming that the customer has a large tank, 500 gallons or more. OTEA's low cost provider could change from year to year. Does that mean the customer has to have a new tank installed each time there's a provider change?

I have Eastern propane as my supplier. We cook, heat hot water, and dry clothes. Just the wife and I. Summer time we cook outdoors more than indoors.

We have a hundred gallon tank that gets filled two to three times per year.

For our usage, it is not worth swapping providers every year for what will be relatively short money between the competitors. To go through the hassle of getting the old provider out to get their tank out of the way, and get a new tank installed, and have the new installation pressure tested, and who knows what else is involved...I guess I just couldn't be bothered for the savings vs the inconvenience.

Senter Cove Guy, you deal with OTEA to get the best price for YOUR provider, and probably not for shopping each year. OTEA bargains with Eastern, for example, and says OTEA can guarantee 25,000 gallons of propane from Eastern's OTEA member customer for the period Sept 1 to Aug 31 the next year. The price is determined based on how many gallons you say you will use. The higher the use, the lower your price per gallon. Just remember, you are not buying propane from OTEA, just from your provider if they work with OTEA. If they do not participate (Fred Fuller, for instance) and you an get a better deal with Eastern, unless you own your own tanks, you will have to make arrangements with both companies to affect the change. To me, that can be a real hassle.

Perhaps someone who shops propane yearly can chime in. With OTEA, your price is based on anticipated usage, and is like a contract for the year.

[sum-r breeze]

We got our latest bill from Dead River and the price was $2.039 per gallon. A little high but we really don't use that much. We have a bulk tank with 3 units drawing off of it through meters. Just 3 more months of REAL cold to deal with so we're going to hope for warmer temps and enjoy. Is it ice out yet?

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' (a mitten) back

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

We got our latest bill from Dead River and the price was $2.039 per gallon. A little high but we really don't use that much. We have a bulk tank with 3 units drawing off of it through meters. Just 3 more months of REAL cold to deal with so we're going to hope for warmer temps and enjoy. Is it ice out yet?

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' (a mitten) back

$2 is high? How much do you go through. I just got a fill-up at around $3.14

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

We got our latest bill from Dead River and the price was $2.039 per gallon. A little high but we really don't use that much. We have a bulk tank with 3 units drawing off of it through meters. Just 3 more months of REAL cold to deal with so we're going to hope for warmer temps and enjoy. Is it ice out yet?

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' (a mitten) back

That is a great price, nothing at all to complain about there. I am surprised you get that if your usage is not great. I do get better but its based on a HUGE consumption, tied to an industrial building. I think in all we are going to use 9k gallons this year between my house and work.

[BroadHopper]

http://www.newhampshire.com/apps/pbc...229937/-1/news

Not sure if it effect domestic customers. I have not receive my bill yet.

[codeman671]

The propane index has risen $0.46 since October due to demand, so even our low price is bumped high. We just paid $2.17 yesterday, since we are locked in at $0.40 over index we aren't winning on this round. Win some, lose some...

[Smokienorm]

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Who owns the propane tanks?
Who installs the propane tanks?
Are there fees involved with the propane tanks?

Who does a service call?

We are OTEA members with a 500 gal tank owned & installed by Eastern Propane for us last year. We understand that Eastern has been the OTEA supplier for several years.

Our last fill-up, on Jan 7, was at this year's contract price of $2.18 per gallon.

We use propane for heating, hot water, clothes dryer and BBQ and soon to add a fireplace insert. Our gas fitter that provided & installed the heating and hot water system (Eastern's quote for the equipment was among the higher ones we received) that replaced an antique oil fired heating system (forced hot water) and very large electric hot water heater, does service on the heating & hot water system; dryer, etc. are serviced by appropriate appliance people.

Eastern is very responsive for keeping us supplied and if we are ever concerned about the level remaining in the tank we email them and they are out the next day.

[sum-r breeze]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

$2 is high? How much do you go through. I just got a fill-up at around $3.14

So fellow forum members....I had a little error in looking at the bill from Dead River. I just checked it again. My price was $3.299 a gallon for the 87.8 gallons I used last month. Quite a difference from what I thought it was. There again, I know we don't use that much so the price reflects that situation.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' (an empty check book) back

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by sum-r breeze

So fellow forum members....I had a little error in looking at the bill from Dead River. I just checked it again. My price was $3.299 a gallon for the 87.8 gallons I used last month. Quite a difference from what I thought it was. There again, I know we don't use that much so the price reflects that situation.

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' (an empty check book) back

Makes more sense. I use about the same amount as you. I also called regarding the 10% increase from the previous month and was actually warned it was going to continue increasing due to shortages in the area. Hopefully things have calmed down some with the mild temps the past week.

[Pineedles]

We just got another fill-up here in CT. $3.91 per gal. That's up 63% since December 1st!! I know it's still lower than some of the prices in this thread but 63%, come-on. I might go back to electric heat, it's probably cheaper now, even if it's $0.21 per kw. Any math genius' out there that could tell me if it is?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

We just got another fill-up here in CT. $3.91 per gal. That's up 63% since December 1st!! I know it's still lower than some of the prices in this thread but 63%, come-on. I might go back to electric heat, it's probably cheaper now, even if it's $0.21 per kw. Any math genius' out there that could tell me if it is?

The below is a formula that will get you somewhere near the difference. It doesn't take into consideration the efficiency factors:

1 Gallon of Propane = 27 kwh of electricity

$0.21 per kwh x 27 kwh = $5.67 for electricity

Therefore electricity at $0.21 per kwh is more expensive then propane at $3.91 per gal

[ITD]

A heat pump may make sense for you, but the big question is how long will the price of propane stay elevated. Right now there is a supply issue due to the uncharacteristically cold temperatures throughout the country driving up demand to unheard of levels. I think next year there may be more supply available to match demand keeping the price more reasonable.

That being said, for a heat pump, you get about 3 times more heat out for the electricity put in than resistance heating. It's not that cut and dry, but probably good for initial comparisons. Heat pumps become less efficient as the temperature gets colder. Geothermal will give better results if designed properly, but costs much more.

[HellRaZoR004]

My propane bill went up 60 cents per/gal from last month!!!

[tis]

My cousin who is in the oil/gas business told us at Christmas that gas prices were going to go up.

[Steveo]

This is the reason I always do the pre-buy option. Bought in August for $2.60/ gallon. The only problem is will the guy show up before I run out. Looked yesterday and I'm down to 20% (~50 gals).

[TheProfessor]

Eastern Propane.
$2.94 gallon last week.
Goes into a 500 gallon tank.

[BraunBayGuy]

We just got filled up and it was 2.08 with Eastern. I am an Our Town Energy Alliance member. Enrollment is going on right now. Go to their website and join for $25 for next year which starts this coming September. Tell them Jim Marshall referred you. Even if you have an underground tank with another company, you can still switch to Eastern. Call them and they will guide you through it. My neighbor and in laws had Energy North with underground tanks and had no problem changing. You will have to pay a yearly maintenance fee, but it is peanuts compared to what you will save.


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