Frequently Asked Questions

Blanchard Oil Company believes that the following questions and answers may address some of your concerns regarding home heating fuels.

Q: How are oil prices set?
A: Heating fuels like oil, natural gas, propane and electricity are traded on the commodities market, which goes up and down like the stock market. The main influence on the cost of heating oil is the price of its raw material (crude oil). Many outside influences effect the cost of crude oil; over recent years these have included hurricanes, refinery shutdowns, a very fragile geopolitical climate, and of course – supply and demand.

Q: Are there any ways I can protect myself if fuel prices increase dramatically this winter?
A: Yes. At Blanchard Oil, we offer 2 options that allow you to better budget your heating costs. With our CAP plan, you can be guaranteed that no matter how high prices climb, you will never pay more than our cap price. With our Pre-Buy plan, you can pre-buy a predetermined amount of gallons at a set price. Each of these plans have sign-up deadlines. Click here to request information on either our CAP or Pre-buy Plans.

Q: Is there a way I can even out my fuel costs throughout the year, making it easier for me to budget my annual costs?
A: Yes. At Blanchard Oil, we offer a Budget Program which allows you spread out your annual costs into either 10- or 12-monthly payments. This allows you to better manage your yearly fuel payments, rather than having the bulk of your costs fall during the winter season. Click here to request information on our Budget Plan.

Q: How often should I have my heating system serviced, and why?
A: Scheduling service every other year, or every 2000 gallons used, will help keep your heating system running at peak efficiency. This will lead to lower energy costs over the life of your system as well as providing for timely replacement of worn parts, which can lead to costly repair bills in the future.

Q: Do you offer any maintenance or service plans?
A: We do not offer Service Plans, per se, but we do offer a unique tank maintenance plan. Click here to see more information on our TankSure program.

Q: Why should I consider automatic delivery?
A: Choosing automatic delivery allows you to relax and let us assume the responsibility of keeping track of your next delivery. When you are on Automatic Delivery, your fuel deliveries are made on an automatic basis according to a computerized "degree day" system. Our computer tracks your usage patterns, compares it to recent temperature changes, and determines the optimum time for a delivery. You should not have to call us unless your usage pattern has changed dramatically for some reason that we would be unaware of.

Q: If I choose to call for my oil, is there a minimum amount I need to order?
A: We have a minimum delivery size of 150 gallons for Fuel Oil and Kerosene.

Q: Can I pay over the Internet?
A: Currently we do not accept payments over the Internet, but we are hoping to offer this convenience to our valued customers soon.

Q: What other methods of payment do you accept?

A: We accept cash, checks, and VISA or MasterCard.

Q: If I can make it up my driveway in the winter, why can’t a fuel truck?
A: Vermont’s icy winters are very hard on our drivers. Many customers are not aware that delivery trucks, depending on how much product they are carrying, actually may have less traction on driveways than your car. Also, please remember these trucks are carrying hazardous material and must abide by far stricter guidelines.The width of these trucks with extended mirrors can make it nearly impossible to make it up a driveway made narrow with snow-bent trees. At Blanchard Oil, our experienced drivers abide by a “safety first” motto, and we ask for your understanding that this sometimes means they temporarily cannot proceed with a delivery.


The following was distributed and written by Warm Thoughts Communications, Inc. entitled “Consumers Guide to Heating Oil Prices” March, 2000.

When energy prices rise, we all feel it. Without a clear understanding of what causes these ups and downs, it’s easy to assume the worst.
Local oil dealers may not be able to control world energy prices, but they can help you make sense of how things work, so you can make the best decisions for your family. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to call your local dealer.

What can cause rapid price changes?
The market responds immediately to any situation that might affect supply and demand, including unexpectedly cold or warm weather, supply interruptions and excess production. These changes are immediately reflected in the wholesale price dealers pay for the oil they deliver to you.

Do local dealers make more profit during sudden price increases?
No. When oil prices rise, it doesn’t mean they get a bigger share of it. It’s similar to when orange juice prices go up because of an early frost. The local grocery doesn’t make the extra money.

So who does make the money?
Anyone (including the major oil companies, refiners, speculators and others) who was either smart or lucky enough to have secured oil before prices started to rise. However, these same people would’ve lost money had prices dropped.

Do local dealers wait to deliver until prices are highest?
It’s tempting to think that, especially if you’ve just gotten a high-priced delivery. But remember, your local dealer has no way to predict what will happen to wholesale prices from week to week. Until they can find a better crystal ball, dealers base their deliveries on customer needs and the most efficient truck routes.

After wholesale prices drop, when do retail prices follow?
It depends on how much oil your local dealer bought and stored at a higher price, and how quickly it sells due to cold weather. It also depends on how much of the original wholesale increase the dealer absorbed to cushion customers went prices went up.

All rights reserved. PMMA, 1999 Warm Thoughts Communications Inc. 200 Meadowlands Parkway 2nd Fl., Secaucus, NJ 07094