Every day we talk to Energy Co-op of Vermont members and customers who are worried about next winter’s heating oil bills. If prices stay where they are today, it will be a hard winter for many of our most loyal members.
There’s nothing the Energy Co-op of Vermont can do about world energy prices. But we can make these bills much easier to manage, and save you money in the process. Here are eight options. Choose what works best for you.
1. Join our Easy Pay plan
For heating oil, kerosene or wood pellets. Say goodbye to big winter bills – spread your payments over 11 months. Plus, get an eight cents a gallon discount for every oil or kerosene delivery. Convenient payment options including on-line payment, automatic payments from your bank account or charged to your Visa, MasterCard or Discover card. Call the Energy Co-op of Vermont at 860-4090 to sign up for our Easy Pay plan.
2. Make a Smart Choice
For heating oil only. Protect yourself from sky high winter bills with our Smart Choice plan. Monthly payments and a capped price. Every time we deliver your oil, you’re charged our regular price or our capped price – whichever is lower. Sign up at our web site (you will need your account number and an email address) or by calling us at 860-4090.
3. Pre-Buy your oil
For heating oil only. If you want certainty, our fixed price Pre-Buy plan is a good choice. There is a 400 gallon minimum purchase, paid in full, in advance. Your price is fixed for the number of gallons you purchase – regardless of whether market prices go up or down. Sign up at our web site (you will need your account number and an email address) or by calling us at 860-4090.
4. Get your heating equipment ready for winter
If you’ve not already scheduled your annual tune-up, now’s the time to call us. Our service technicians will go through your entire heating system, replace your nozzle and oil filter, adjust your burner for the best performance, run an efficiency test and conduct a full safety check. Remember, you’ll save up to 10% on your heating bills when your furnace or boiler is running as efficiently as possible. Call us at 860-4090 to get on our schedule.
5. Replace old heating equipment
If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, it’s time to think about replacing it with new, high-efficiency equipment. You will use much less oil. Please call Wayne Thompson, our service and efficiency program manager, at 860-4090 to discuss new heating equipment and how much less oil these furnaces and boilers use. Thinking about gas? Call us at (802 860-4090 for a free estimate for new gas heating equipment.
6. Use up to 10% less oil with smart controls
Intellidyne Economizers reduce oil use by adjusting the burner run cycle on your furnace or boiler. This control comes with a 15 year replacement warranty, a short payback period and an LCD display that shows your savings in real-time. Call Wayne Thompson at (802) 860-4090 for more information. Learn why dozens of Co-op members have purchased these controls.
7. Burn wood pellets
Wood pellets cost about half as much as oil, kerosene or propane for the same amount of heat. Pellets vary widely in heat output and ash content. Don’t get stuck with bad pellets – buy our Vermont Wood Pellets or LG Granules for high heat output and very low ash content. Call us at 860-4090 to place your order or for more information.
8. Install a pellet stove
Our Napoleon pellet stoves are affordable and reliable, clean-burning and efficient. They qualify for a tax credit of at least $100 and come with a $200 discount – if purchased before August 31st. Ask us about 0% financing with 50% down. For more information, stop in at our office during business hours or call Wayne Thompson at (802) 860-4090.