Comfort Line - Spring/Summer 2020
Jun 01, 2020
This interview with Charles Brand, the owner of Hart & Iliff, was conducted by Lorraine Cline. Lorraine is the principal of Cline Design, which has produced our newsletter for more than 20 years.
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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.
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.
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.
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Get StartedWhat Our Customers are Saying
These are unsolicited comments received from Hart & Iliff customers.
"I truly appreciate your courteous professional installers and a job well done!"
"Your generosity means more than you know, and will touch more lives than you know. It’s rare these days to find a business so responsive to its customers’ needs, and so invested in the community it serves. The warmth and positive attitude everyone on the Hart & Iliff staff exudes make working with you, even under unfortunate circumstances a true pleasure. I offer my deep gratitude to you and your colleagues."
"Service is always pleasant and courteous - also phone response is terrific."