Winter temperatures have dropped across Glen Ridge and throughout Essex, Passaic, Union, and Bergen Counties. As a result, boilers and furnaces across Northern New Jersey are running more often, and heating oil usage is reaching its seasonal peak.
This is a busy time of year for the JW Pierson team. Our heating oil delivery trucks are out daily, making sure local homeowners have the fuel they need to stay warm and comfortable. It’s also the time when we receive plenty of questions about heating oil prices. Below, we’ll explain why heating oil costs can change and share a few practical ways to manage your heating expenses during the coldest months of the year.
Heating oil is a petroleum-based fuel refined from crude oil and closely related to off-road diesel. In its liquid form, heating oil does not burn. Instead, your boiler or furnace heats and vaporizes the fuel so it can ignite safely and efficiently inside the burner.
The heating oil JW Pierson delivers is a blend of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil and renewable biodiesel made from recycled and organic materials such as used cooking oils, plant oils and other sustainable sources. This fuel burns cleaner than traditional heating oil, reducing emissions while also helping your heating equipment operate more smoothly. Because it produces fewer deposits, our heating can contribute to reduced maintenance needs and longer system life.
Because heating oil is derived from crude oil, global oil markets play a significant role in pricing. Factors such as refinery slowdowns, international conflicts, supply chain challenges and production decisions by major oil-producing nations can all influence fuel costs. Market speculation can also create short-term price volatility.
Supply and demand are especially important in the Northeast, which accounts for the vast majority of heating oil consumption in the United States. When cold snaps, snowstorms or prolonged freezes hit Northern New Jersey, demand rises quickly — and prices can follow.
There are also everyday operational costs involved in delivering heating oil, including transportation, storage and distribution. At JW Pierson, we focus on keeping our operations efficient so we can offer reliable service and competitive pricing to our customers.
While you can’t control market conditions, there are several smart steps you can take to reduce heating oil usage this winter:
To learn more about Automatic Delivery or to speak with a member of the JW Pierson team, contact us today. We’re proud to help homeowners across Northern New Jersey stay warm all winter long.