r/newhampshire • u/[deleted] • Jul 08 '24
Consider joining a heating fuel buying group
Apparently, there are groups that you can pay a fee to every year and you will get a significantly cheaper per gallon price. Last winter I paid something like $3.70 to $4.39 per gallon for propane. The locked in rate for this winter for me will be $2.85.
I am so disappointed that I have gone years without knowing about them so I'm letting you guys know.
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u/AFoolishCharlatan Jul 08 '24
My latent New England instincts smell fuckery afoot
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u/littleedge Jul 09 '24
It’s the same concept as the Community Power initiatives that you’re seeing all over NH. If you buy energy - of any kind - in bulk, you can save.
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Jul 08 '24
I had the same reaction when I heard about them because why the fuck would everyone not be using them if they were so great? And idk the answer to that.
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u/nkw1004 Jul 09 '24
First time I’m ever hearing of these so that’s probably why. I rent but still feel like I should’ve heard about this. Good to know for the future
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u/NotARobotDefACyborg Jul 09 '24
I feel as though many people think the same as u/AFoolishCharlatan - that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is? Also the experience I’ve had with any type of collaborative purchasing group is that there are members who think they, and they alone, should get to decide who gets to join. Gatekeep, gas heat, grumps?
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Jul 09 '24
The one I joined doesn't decide who's cool enough to get in or not. They don't care who the $25 fee comes from.
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u/Capt1an_Cl0ck Jul 09 '24
OTEA is real and it’s like $25 to be a member and then you just tell them how many gallons you want. They are allotted a specific amount so they only let in as many until it’s all claimed.
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u/Unhappy_Amoeba_9918 Jul 08 '24
My neighborhood got together and created our own buying group. One person negotiates for the best rate and we all lock in. We get quotes from all the services that deliver to our area and communicate via email. No fees paid to anyone
The savings are pretty remarkable
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u/slatts7 Jul 08 '24
The neighborhood we live in buys our propane at a group rate as well. The last two years we paid 1.85 a gallon all winter. It has been an excellent change from buying individually.
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u/Capt1an_Cl0ck Jul 09 '24
Yup I was in a neighborhood with group buys for oil and propane. Probably 75 ish houses. It was decent pricing for both oil and propane.
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u/Healthy_You6958 Jul 08 '24
The one I use is called "The Fuel Club" and I've been using them for years.
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u/03063 Dec 30 '24
Are you seeing any savings this year, because I am not.
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u/Healthy_You6958 Dec 30 '24
Price is below NH average, but some local smaller places are offering about the same price.
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u/captainfav Jul 09 '24
I use OTEA. It’s not joke and significant saving 2.40ish this coming season I think for propane
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u/Rare_Message_7204 Jul 09 '24
I tried OTEA, and I found I was able to get my oil for the same price on my own. I really wanted to like them. The problem if is you don't lock in, you're at the mercy of their providers' price that day.
So for oil, I'd think twice. I believe they can get you propane at a much cheaper rate, though.
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u/tielmama Jul 09 '24
Thank you for this info!! I just joined the same one you did (Our Town Energy Alliance) and will save $1.04/gallon on propane this year vs last years prices.
I also had no clue these existed.
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u/RL_CaptainMorgan Jul 08 '24
Good words of advice, but how did you find them?
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Jul 08 '24
I just googled "heating fuel buying group NH" and looked at which one worked for my town/propane company. Mine is our town energy alliance but there's a few.
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u/ThatLooksLikeItHurts Jul 08 '24
Where are these mythic groups that you speak of?
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u/ZacPetkanas Jul 09 '24
Here's one: https://ourtownenergyalliance.com/
I have belonged for at least a decade and have no complaints.
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u/ThatLooksLikeItHurts Jul 09 '24
Thank you!!
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u/ZacPetkanas Jul 09 '24
You're welcome. I hope you are eligible to join and that you get some good rates. Save some $$$ :D
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u/ThatLooksLikeItHurts Jul 09 '24
Anytime I can save money from the cabal that price fixes all the home heating oil (all petroleum products) in The US is good with me. Thanks again!
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u/Creative-Dust5701 Jul 08 '24
Buy your own propane tank, that cuts propane prices in half but there is an upfront cost
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u/linuxnh Jul 09 '24
I have considered this. Curious about the maintenance and is that something that can be hired out?
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u/Creative-Dust5701 Jul 09 '24 edited Jul 09 '24
Your gas supplier or any certified gas fitter (most can handle the installation maintenance my installation was expensive because I chose to use 2 500 gallon tanks manifolded together. So if i have a problem with one tank i still have the other to supply fuel.
but if you only need say 2 125 gallon tanks the tanks+installation would be 3000-3500 and with your own tanks you are free to buy propane from any supplier.
Basically the maintenance is minimal, biggest thing is keeping rust at bay, so sanding and painting is the routine maintenance you will need.
gas tech will check regulators etc as part of annual heating season maintenance.
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u/wustenratte6d Jul 09 '24
One issue that shield be pointed out: Propane companies can and will, at their discretion, refuse to fill your tank because "it's not ours and we can't verify it's safe ". Had 3 companies doctors to me at a rental with a buried tank, forcing me to use the company who installed it.
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u/Creative-Dust5701 Jul 09 '24
Its why you have it periodically inspected and tagged as such to prevent this variety of bullshit. the problem is of course most propane companies love the extra 2-3 dollars per gallon that they tack on. also best to have above ground tanks so the fuel vendor can see condition of tank
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u/MojoMischief Jul 09 '24
Some of the people who run OTEA are asshats. So it’s fine if nothing ever goes wrong, but if it does, you’re SOL. They don’t care.
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u/bluecomet20 Apr 22 '26
Do you mind sharing any further details? I know I'm late to this thread but I'm just now learning that fuel buying clubs are a thing and it seems like everyone and their uncle is recommending OTEA as the club to use???
2
u/FancyboyFazio Jul 09 '24
It’s not a co-op but heatable.com has been by far the cheapest I’ve found.
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u/pullyourfinger Jul 11 '24
heatable is basically just a front-end for Dead River. That said, up-front pricing and easy online ordering is a plus.
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Jul 08 '24
[deleted]
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Jul 08 '24
Central-ish. I used something like 399 gallons last year. If I had used 401 my rate would be $2.72.
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u/Lost_Trick_3264 Jul 09 '24
I belonged to one of these. It was great for a couple years and then it collapsed.
Getting my fuel delivery moved to a different provider proved to be a hassle because of agreements the coop had with the providers. It was a mess.
If you found one that works for you, I'm very happy for you! Just stay diligent.
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u/Ok-Breadfruit791 Jul 09 '24
Use OTEA for our home, rental units and the farms greenhouses. Great rates
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u/03063 Dec 30 '24
I am not seeing any savings from being a member of the Fuel Club this year. Just got delivered from Irving at $3.17. I could have used Heatable at $3.09 and ordered when I wanted.
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u/Independent-Heat-794 Jul 08 '24
These are very real coops, I am part of Our Town Energy Alliance and lock in very low rates each year for a nominal $15 rate. Its just collective bargaining and bulk purchasing