Blog
Categories |
Nov 01, 2023
Comfort Line - Fall Winter 2024
New Hart & Iliff Customer Portal
Customers frequently ask us if they can log in to their account and pay a bill. We have consistently been reluctant to allow customers access to our computer system since we store sensitive customer information. Although our computer system is protected by a firewall, there is hardly a week that goes by without news about a security breach at a major organization. Companies that have had major computer security breaches include Yahoo, LinkedIn, Facebook, Marriott, Twitter, Experian and Equifax. There are hackers and thieves who would love nothing better than to gain access to the sensitive information on our server.
For those of you who have been asking to view your account, order oil or make a payment online, we have good news. We found a way to make this available without exposing any sensitive information to the whims of the internet.
Jun 20, 2023
Comfort Line - Spring / Summer 2023
For more than 25 years, Hart & Iliff has offered a winter price protection program for our heating oil customers. Initially, we offered a fixed and capped price program.
In recent years, we transitioned away from fixed price, because it offers no downside protection for our customers. Even though it was clearly disclosed, each time the price dropped during the winter, customers were very unhappy about being locked in at a higher price. For example, during the 2014/2015 heating season, prices dropped $1.40 per gallon during the winter. With increased price volatility in the energy markets, we don’t believe it makes sense to lock in a price for the entire winter.
The other program is a capped price. This program allows you to pay our regular posted price, but never above a preset price cap.
Jan 04, 2023
Comfort Line - Fall/Winter 2023
Rising energy costs have been a painful, unfortunate fact of life in 2022. The factors leading to higher energy rates are global and complex. We’re as eager as you are to see heating oil prices return to normal.
Some people think that local fuel companies, like ours, make more money when prices go up. The opposite is true. Our margins suffer, customers cut back on usage and are late paying bills. Meanwhile, we need to pay our suppliers in 10 days. It’s an awful mess for everyone.
We want to keep you in the loop during the heating season and help you navigate this winter.
Jun 21, 2022
Price Protection Programs for 2022 - 2023 Heating Season
For over 25 years, Hart & Iliff has offered a winter price protection program for our heating oil customers. Initially, we offered both a fixed price and a capped price program. In the last few years, we transitioned away from a fixed price, because it offers no downside protection, if the price drops. Even though it’s been clearly disclosed, each time prices drop during the winter, customers are extremely unhappy about being locked in at a higher price. For example, during the 2014/2015 heating season prices dropped $1.40 per gallon during the winter. This could easily happen again this winter.
Jun 13, 2022
Comfort Line - Spring/Summer 2022
Unsurprisingly, we’ve received calls about two connected issues—the surge in fuel prices and supply concerns. Russia is the world’s third largest oil producer, generating approximately 11% of total world production. The Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked the energy markets, sending crude oil to record territory and spiking all energy prices. We saw increases from our heating oil suppliers of more than $1.50 per gallon in less than a week! People are also concerned that there will be interruptions in supply that will cause them to run out of fuel. You can count on the fact that Hart & Iliff will not let you run out of oil. We have been in business for more than 130 years and have very strong relationships with suppliers and financial institutions.
Mar 11, 2022
A Letter to Our Customers About The Recent Oil Price Spikes
The Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked the energy markets, sending crude oil to record territory and spiking all energy prices. We’ve had increases from our heating oil suppliers of over $1.50 per gallon in less than a week!