How to Prepare Your Heating Oil System for a Hurricane
Hurricane Earl at it strongest at 2 am on September 2, when winds speeds reached up to 159 mph. (image: NASA via WSJ.com)
Although Hurricane Earl was downgraded to a category 3 storm on Thursday afternoon, it’s still a whopper of the storm whose effects could soon be felt in much of the Northeast. According to a report by the Washington Post released at 2:30 pm Eastern time on Thursday,
Forecasters were trying to determine whether the storm would stay offshore as it headed up the Northeast coast or bring hurricane-force winds to Long Island and the New England coastal area.
If the storm does move closer to the East Coast as it moves north, coastal areas of the Northeast will get most of Earl’s intense wind and rain, while inland areas may see few effects. At the moment, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Long Island are most likely to see serious tropical storm conditions over the next two days or so.
Those areas are home to many heating oil users, and to help them prepare for Earl’s arrival, the Energy Communications Council (which is funded by the National Oilheat Research Alliance) issued a press release offering tips on how to prepare and check up on oil-fired heating systems before and after flooding:
Preparation before a flood
• If you must evacuate, turn off the heating oil supply valve at the tank before flood waters rise.
• If you must evacuate, turn off furnace or boiler emergency switch.
• Properly installed heating oil tanks are bolted to the ground/floor to ensure they will not move during a flood.After a flood
• If oilheat equipment has been flooded, be sure to shut off the tank service valve if you did not do so before evacuating.
• Look for any visible structural damage. If the tank has shifted, lines are bent or damaged, or you notice anything else unusual, contact your heating oil retailer immediately.
• Damage to pumps, filters, and electronic controls is a significant problem caused by flooding. Heating oil appliances and equipment that have been underwater should be inspected by your professional retailer before being placed back into service.
Hopefully, no one will have to worry about flooding from Earl’s heavy rain. But if heating oil users anywhere in the Northeast are forced to evacuate their homes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
New Winter Storm Walloping Northeast Will Raise Heating Oil Prices
The snowstorm that is blanketing NYC and the rest of the Northeast will bring higher heating oil prices as soon as this afternoon. (image: missapril1956 via flickr.com)
Snowmageddon The Sequel arrived in the Northeast today, with snowfall totals reaching almost 20 inches in parts of Pennsylvania and New York State as of 10 o’clock this morning. The storm that was expected to continue dumping a mix of rain and snow in many coastal areas has turned into an all-out snowstorm as temperatures dropped to lower-than-expected levels last night. Schools and business throughout the region are closed due to the snow. Some roads and highways are also closed; many heating oil deliveries will be delayed or disrupted throughout the region on Friday and Saturday.
Matt Rogers, president of Commodity Weather Group, told Bloomberg TV this morning (watch the full segment below) that the storm will likely drive up demand for heating oil in the Northeast. He pointed specifically to the “combination of the high wind chills and colder-than normal temperatures” as reasons for heating oil users in the Northeast to burn more oil. Rogers also noted that extensive accumulation of snow as we’re seeing today can have a residual effect, causing high demand levels to carry on for several days after the storm has cleared. On the flip side, Rogers described some “bearish” influences of winter storms on heating oil: power outages that reduce demand and transportation issues that slow down or block heating oil deliveries. All things considered, Rogers seemed to think that weather-related factors would counterbalance each other and mitigate any changes in the price of heating oil.
IEA: Cold Weather Isn’t Boosting Oil Demand
With demand for heating oil trending downward, wintry weather has less and less impact on global oil demand. (image: ft.com)
Conventional wisdom and common sense would suggest that cold weather increases heating oil demand, which lifts demand for crude, and higher demand leads to higher oil prices. Many banks and financial institutions agree, and heating oil consumers have seen day-to-day heating oil prices rise sharply on occasion in response to a cold snap. When cold weather hits, investors are willing to pay more for crude and heating oil futures because they expect oil demand will surge during freezing weather.
However, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that’s simply not the case, reports the Financial Times. In spite of a winter that has been colder than normal, heating oil demand in industrialized countries this quarter is down 13 percent from last year, says the IEA. In the US, heating oil inventories actually increased earlier in February, which is surprising for a fuel that often sees steady demand and falling inventories throughout the winter.
This Week in Heating Oil February 12, 2010: Snowmageddon and Oil Price Forecasts
Along the East Coast, this week was all about snow. The huge snowstorm that hit the region late Tuesday night and hovered through Wednesday night crippled transportation and even brought about the complete shutdown of the federal government for two days. The boost in heating oil demand resulting from so many people staying home and staying warm brought about a moderate increase in heating oil prices on Wednesday that offset falling prices on Monday. Considering the severity and breadth of the storm, the Wednesday price increase was much smaller than previous weather-related price hikes.
On the world stage, three major energy organizations adjusted their crude oil demand and price forecasts for 2010 this week. The International Energy Agency revised upward its prediction for world oil demand this year by a slim margin, expecting the world economy to recover quickly and drive up demand for oil. On the other hand, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the US Energy Information Administration are more pessimistic about oil demand in 2010, predicting less growth than previously thought.
The pace of oil demand growth this year will be the main factor in determining crude oil prices for the remainder of 2010, which will in turn determine heating oil prices. Although a fast and robust recovery in the global economy would be good news for many, heating oil users might want to hope for a more measured recovery to help keep their heating costs down for a few extra months.
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New Snowstorm Could Hit East Coast on President’s Day
After two weeks of snow, Washington DC and the East Coast may face another storm. (image: examiner.com)
Severe winter snowstorms have wreaked havoc on the East Coast for the last two weeks, shutting down airports, schools, and the federal government. Snow hit Texas and canceled flights at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and a state of emergency in Delaware closed roads to all drivers except emergency vehicles and essential personnel. And now, just when folks in the Mid-Atlantic and New England thought they had survived “snowmageddon” (see our photo gallery of snowmageddon in New York City), another system could bring more snow on President’s Day, reports Bloomberg.
While the next storm system will be mild compared to the blizzards that have recently buried the East Coast, Accuweather says it could drop another six inches of snow on cities and towns already scrambling to clear roads and reopen schools and businesses.
Heating oil prices have risen moderately in the face of such snow and cold, but oil prices have responded as much to financial factors, such as the strength of the dollar, and global events, such as sanctions against Iran, as they have to the latest blast of winter weather. Another storm could boost heating oil demand and lift heating oil prices, but the latest round of snowstorms has underscored the fact that the price of heating your home can be affected as much by events around the world as by weather outside your door.
Winter Storm Update: Delaware Declares State of Emergency; Heating Oil Deliveries Allowed to Continue
Snowplows and heating oil trucks are among the vehicles allowed on Delaware’s roads during the state of emergency. (image: deldot.gov)
In response to the severe snowstorm pummeling the East Coast—the second to hit Delaware in a week—Gov. Jack Markell declared a state of emergency throughout the state and banned driving with the exception of “emergency vehicles and essential personnel,” reported DelawareOnline.com.
Heating oil trucks were among the exempted vehicles, but even with fewer cars on the road the blizzard will likely make deliveries difficult. Gov. Markell urged private businesses to consider closing because of the dangerous weather conditions, and heating oil companies may not be operating at full capacity.
If you are expecting a heating oil delivery during the storm, read HeatingOil.com’s tips to help make your delivery go smoothly.
Snowmageddon 2010 in NYC!
While HeatingOil.com employees toiled away during the biggest storm of the season, our fearless photographer Nicholas Whitaker braved the blizzard conditions to get some images of the storm’s effects on downtown Manhattan near the HeatingOil.com offices. Here’s your chance to see Snowmageddon without leaving the warmth and comfort of your home!
A garbage truck/snow plow doing its thing on the streets of TriBeCa.
Snow accumulates on a parked bicycle on Wooster Street, with the Canal Street Station post office in the background.
The wet and heavy snow is sticking to everything, including this emergency call box.
With dangerous driving conditions throughout the Northeast, most drivers stayed home today, as shown by this near-empty parking lot.
Looking south down Church St. from Canal St.
The weather reduced car and foot traffic on usually-bustling Canal St. to almost nothing.
Tips for Getting Heating Oil Delivered During the Storm
A heating oil delivery driver makes a delivery in snowy conditions earlier this year in Farmingham, Massachusetts. (image: boston.com)
Another major storm is headed toward the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas, and is forecasted to dump a foot or more of snow on the region between now and Thursday night. Residents from Maryland to Maine are preparing for school closures and transportation problems over the next 48 hours. For heating oil users, making sure they’ll get an oil delivery when they need it should be a top priority. If you’re in need of a heating oil delivery this week, take these steps to make sure your heat stays on while you weather the oncoming storm:
1) Order today. If your heating oil tank is currently 1/3 full or less, you should put in an order right away and aim for delivery today or tonight, before the snow begins to fall. Oil dealers will be extremely busy all week, so they may not be able to deliver before the storm hits, but the sooner you place your order, the closer you’ll be to the top of the delivery list.
2) Clear your fill pipe. Residents up and down the East Coast know that shoveling and salting are all part of dealing with winter storms. As Pennsylvania’s ABC 27 News reminds us, heating oil delivery drivers must be able to find your fill pipe in order to fill your tank. Make sure that your fill pipe is free of snow, clearly visible, and accessible from the street.
3) Keep your chimney clear. Just like a fireplace, your heating oil burner has a chimney (also called a stack or exhaust pipe) to vent exhaust from burning oil. Make sure that your burner’s exhaust line remains clear and does not get obstructed by snow. A blocked exhaust pipe can lead to less efficient performance by your heating system and dangerous exhaust fumes seeping into your home.
Following these simple steps will reduce the danger of non-delivery and system failure and keep you warm during the fast-approaching second “snowpocalypse” of 2010. So best wishes to the shovelers and plowers out there, and keep in mind: spring is only 39 days away!
HeatingOil.com Weather Report: January 13, 2009
(image: weather.com)
Today’s Northeast Weather: Light rain showers and clouds will hit the Northeast, as the bitter cold front that’s seized the region gives way to warmer climes. Only slightly warmer climes, though. There won’t be much warmth to speak of in Northern New England as highs are expected to loom only in the teens to upper 20s. Further south it’ll be warmer, with highs potentially reaching into the 40s. Heating oil deliveries shouldn’t experience any problems despite a chance of rain throughout the region, since no more than an inch is expected. Only the Adirondacks could see as much as three inches of rain. And, although clouds will blanket the area, the good news is that the sun also is expected to peek through.
Tomorrow’s Forecast: Thursday calls for more of the same—a mix of sun and clouds—along with some warmer weather for the upper reaches of the area. Northern New England could see highs hit the 20s or, possibly, the 30s. It’s more of the same weather further south though, with highs again expected in the 30s or 40s.
Local Temperatures and Heating Degree Days: (January 12)
New York City: Low 28° F, High 35° F. HDD: 33, 0 from average
Long Island: Low 28° F, High 35° F. HDD: 33, -1 from average
Boston: Low 28° F, High 34° F. HDD: 34, -2 from average
Portland, Maine: Low 22° F, High 28° F. HDD: 40, -3 from average
Burlington, Vermont: Low 13° F, High 26° F. HDD: 45, -2 from average
Washington, DC: Low 26° F, High 35° F. HDD: 34, +2 from average
Seattle, Washington: Low 47° F, High 53° F. HDD: 15, -9 from average
Sources: weather.com, weather.gov/climate
HeatingOil.com Weather Report: January 12, 2009
(image: weather.com)
Today’s Northeast Weather: The Northeast will begin to wrest itself from the grip of a bitter cold snap, with average temperatures ranging from 7 degrees below normal to 5 degrees above normal for this time of year. High temperatures today will range from around 10 in northern New England and Upstate New York to the middle 30s on the coasts and south toward Chesapeake Bay. Dry weather should pose no problems for heating oil deliveries.
Tomorrow’s Forecast: Much of the weather should be dry through Friday, with the exception of a few snow showers in the Adirondacks tomorrow and some snow in inland areas on Friday. Temperatures will begin to rise and should be near normal levels for the next week. A storm system developing and moving across the Gulf of Mexico in the next few days will bring some snow showers and wet snow and sleet to the Mid-Atlantic and Central Appalachians by Sunday.
Local Temperatures and Heating Degree Days: (January 11)
New York City: Low 21° F, High 31° F. HDD: 39, +7 from average
Long Island: Low 14° F, High 33° F. HDD: 41, +7 from average
Boston: Low 17° F, High 36° F. HDD: 38, +2 from average
Portland, Maine: Low 8° F, High 33° F. HDD: 44, +1 from average
Burlington, Vermont: Low 17° F, High 29° F. HDD: 42, -5 from average
Washington, DC: Low 16° F, High 36° F. HDD: 39, +7 from average
Seattle, Washington: Low 45° F, High 57° F. HDD: 14, -10 from average
Sources: weather.com, weather.gov/climate
After Big Jump, Rhode Island Heating Oil Prices Increase Slightly
(image: grasshoppergirl via flickr.com)
Like many of their neighbors, Rhode Islanders are feeling the twinge of rising heating oil prices this winter. Although not as dramatic as the 19 cent spike of last week, residents of the Ocean State are currently paying about 9 cents more per gallon for heating oil this week over last. According to the Providence Journal, the average price for a gallon of heating oil stands at $3.03, the same as a gallon of diesel fuel.
The recent dramatic rise in the price of heating oil stems from the cold snap that struck New England early last week. Hopefully warmer weather and recent deliveries of more heating oil from ocean tankers will soon lead to some price stability.
HeatingOil.com Weather Report: January 11, 2009
(image: weather.com)
Today’s Northeast Weather: The cold weather that plagued the Northeast last weekend will continue as the forecast calls for a chance of light snow showers today and tonight throughout the region. Today’s high temperatures will vary throughout the Northeast with northern Maine expected to reach only the mid-teens while temperatures near the Chesapeake Bay should hit the middle to upper thirties. Any snowfall today should not accumulate enough to interfere with heating oil deliveries.
Forecast for Tomorrow: Coastal areas should be clear and warmer tomorrow, but the interior Northeast can expect much of the same weather as today and snow showers could continue as a result of lake-effect snow showers coming off of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Residents of New York City can expect their high to be thirty-four degrees while further south in Washington, D.C. the high should reach thirty-seven.
Local Temps and Heating Degree Days (January 10)
New York City: Low-26°F, High-38°F. HDD: 44, +12 from average
Long Island: Low-23°F, High-39°F. HDD: 33, -1 from average
Boston: Low-22°F, High-37°F. HDD: 45, +10 from average
Portland, Maine: Low-12°F, High-31°F. HDD: 53, +10 from average
Burlington, Vermont: Low-10°F, High-27°F. HDD: 59, +12 from average
Washington D.C./Baltimore: Low-23°F, High-41°F. HDD: 41, +9 from average
Seattle, Washington: Low-36°F, High-45°F. HDD: 15, -9 from average
Sources: weather.com, weather.gov/climate
Heating Oil Price Preview: January 11, 2010
In the Northeast, last week was all about the weather. Extremely cold temperatures drove up demand for heating oil from Maine to Washington, D.C. and brought about some pretty major price increases (average retail heating oil prices jumped eight cents per gallon on Tuesday January 5th).
This week, continuing cold temperatures are expected to keep demand high, though the worst of this first-of-2010 cold snap appears to be over.
As a result of last week’s spike in heating oil demand, millions of barrels of heating oil in storage on ocean tankers began the journey to ports on the East Coast. As that influx of supplies hits the Northeastern market this week, it should have a calming effect on heating oil prices. Look for prices to rise slightly this week, but significantly less than last week.
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This Week in Heating Oil: Cold Weather and Rising Prices
Happy New Year, and welcome back to another installment of This Week in Heating Oil. Freezing temperatures in the Northeast and elsewhere have been not just heating oil news but front-page news this week, and this winter could be one of the coldest in years. Falling temperatures force people to use more fuel to stay warm, and heating oil prices have risen during the cold spell. In weather like this, it’s more important than ever to make you’re your tank has enough oil and that your home heating system is running smoothly. Check this HeatingOil.com education article to see what to do if your oil heat system stops working.
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Heating Cutoffs Can Have Tragic Consequences
People who’s central heating has been cut off often turn to electric space heaters, which pose significant risks of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other hazards. (image: vornadofan via flickr.com)
A recent event has shown that having one’s heat shut off in the middle of winter can result in tragedy. On Friday the SocialistWorker.org reported that Marvin Allen, Tyrone Allen, and Lynn Greer, aged 61, 60, and 59 respectively, died in a Detroit house fire as a result of using space heaters to keep warm. The need for space heaters derived from the fact that the residents’ heat was shut off because they could not afford to pay their $181 bill. Although it is not a mainstream news publication, SocialistWorker.org’s report brings to light a serious problem facing many Americans during these difficult economic times and highlights the dangers associated with having one’s access to heat denied during a particularly brutal winter.
Implying that heating assistance programs do exist to help the needy, DTE Energy, the utility company that cut off the household’s access to heat, responded to the incident with a note that “this is obviously a tragic situation…but possibly one that could have been avoided.” While it is true that this event could have been avoided, the fact that the deceased did not appeal for heating assistance to programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) highlights the simple fact that many people are not aware of such programs.
NJ Residents Look to Private Organizations for Heating Assistance
(image: Run Strong via flickr.com)
Hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents rely on heating assistance to get through the winter. The number is growing—many more people are expected to require financial help this year than last, reports the PressofAtlanticCity.com Wednesday. Much of the support comes from government programs, such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which serves people making no more than 225 percent of the federal poverty level. That’s less than $50,000 a year for a family of four, and with average annual NJ property taxes of $7,045, it’s easy to see that less than $50,000 for a family may not leave much for heat.
HeatingOil.com Weather Report: January 08, 2010
(image: weather.com)
Today’s Northeast Weather: Light snow is expected across much of the Northeast today, with no more than an inch of accumulation in the cities along the Atlantic coast. Temperatures will be cold with highs in the high teens to low 30—not as frigid as some of the lows reached last week, though gusty winds will make it feel colder. An arctic front is currently skirting the Great Lakes and bringing low temperatures and snow along with it.
Forecast for Tomorrow: Start reaching for the thermostat: chilly northern winds will bring more snow to the region, with snowfall of six inches to a foot across western Pennsylvania and upstate New York, and temperatures plummeting to the single digits across northern New York and New England by Sunday morning.
Local Temperatures and Heating Degree Days (Dec 21)
New York City: Low 28°F, High 34°F. HDD: 31, -1 from average
Long Island: Low 22°F, High 32°F. HDD: 33, -1 from average
Boston: Low 26°F, High 31°F. HDD: 31, -5 from average
Portland, Maine: Low 16°F, High 27°F. HDD: 37, -6 from average
Burlington, Vermont: Low 16°F, High 21°F. HDD: 43, -3 from average
Washington, DC: Low 27°F, High 33°F. HDD: 31, +2 from average
Seattle, Washington: Low 40°F, High 48°F. HDD: 21, -4 from average
Sources: weather.com, weather.gov/climate
Schumer Wants LIHEAP Contingency Money Released
Senator Schumer on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” (image: zimbio.com)
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is urging President Obama to release millions of dollars from a contingency fund set up to help deal with unexpected higher demand for energy assistance, an article on LoHud.com reported on Thursday. While addressing a group at the J. Edward Fox Senior Center in Mount Kisco, Schumer said that Obama should release $590 million from a fund that is part of the $5.1 billion appropriation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
Schumer told the group of about 50 senior citizens that, “Because so many people are applying (for heating assistance) and because it’s so cold and because the price of oil is so high, we need to tap that emergency funding now.” The senator added that he believes Obama is likely to sign off on releasing the money, because it is already part of the 2009-10 federal budget.
PA Expands Heating Assistance Program
Gov. Rendell’s announcement will bring welcome relief to Pennsylvania residents this winter. (image: infrastructurist.com)
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell recently announced an extension of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, reports the York Dispatch. Officials say they hope the extension will help an additional 80,000 families throughout the state. Across the country, states have seen a steady rise in the need for assistance with heating costs.
The increase is due to the federal government’s $5.1 billion funding of the program, said Stacey Witalec, spokeswoman for the PA Department of Welfare, which submitted two state LIHEAP spending plans to the federal government: one for $3.1 billion and one for $5.1 billion. The higher funding, said Witalec, allowed the state to extend the program and increase the average for cash grants payments from $226 to $326 per household.
HeatingOil.com Weather Report: January 7, 2010
(image: weather.com)
Today’s Northeast Weather: After snow showers hit the region yesterday, it’s more of the same today—bitter cold, with highs expected in the 20s and 30s, and more white stuff. Coming from a low pressure system sweeping in from Canada, snow is headed for northern New England and western New York. And, blowing in from a Midwest weather system, snow will also hit parts of western Pennsylvania and West Virginia; no more than one to three inches expected anywhere in the region.
Tomorrow’s Forecast: The mercury is expected to drop even lower on Friday with highs in New York City potentially topping off in the 30s. The continuing cold front will force 10- and 20-degree temperatures throughout the region so bundle up…or stay inside.
Local Temperatures and Heating Degree Days (January 6)
Seattle: Low 42ºF, High 50ºF; HDD: 19, -6 from average
Boston: Low 24ºF, High 34ºF; HDD: 36, +1 from average
Portland, Maine: Low 21ºF; High 34ºF; HDD: 37, -6 from average
Burlington, Vermont: Low 21ºF, High 25ºF; HDD: 42, -4 from average
Washington D.C./Baltimore: Low 28ºF; High 37ºF; HDD: 32, 0 from average
Long Island: Low 25ºF; High 33ºF; HDD: 36, +2 from average
New York City: Low 26ºF; High 34ºF; HDD: 35, +3 from average
Sources: weather.com, weather.gov/climate
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