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Fuel oil industry feeling the heat

The Boston Globe -- After 64 years in the heating oil business, Brown’s Oil and Air Conditioning of Needham faced a choice as it lost customers to cheaper natural gas: close or sell. Vin Brown, the second-generation owner, chose to sell, merging his company with the larger MacFarlane Energy in Dedham.

“Financially, it just became a necessity, ” Brown said. “Right now natural gas is really doing a number on the oil business.”

Brown’s story is the story of the Massachusetts heating oil industry, which has been shrinking in recent years as fuel prices jumped and natural gas prices plunged. Today, less than one-third of Massachusetts homes — 31.8 percent — heat with fuel oil, down from about 40 percent a decade ago, according to the census.

Natural gas heats more than half the state’s homes, up from about

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Submitted Jan 02, 2013 By: angel4me

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,632 Points:1,610,495 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2013 1:40:14 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse tomok: gotta ask.. are you part parrot?
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,039 Points:2,346,485 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2013 8:41:10 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Fuel oil industry feeling the heat? If house heating or hot water costs go up, people will find a way to reduce those costs. If fuel oil for heating costs more then other sources then people can change to electrcity, natural gas or whatever is available. Fuel oil may Not be a good choice for most heating. Businesses selling fuel oil may have to change in some way to stay in business. If selling or merging is the answer - then so be it. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII! - The Day After......
vcsuksu21 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,473 Points:707,005 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 6:33:50 PM Ignore vcsuksu21 Report Abuse Need heat
rabbit_tdi Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:135 Points:493,470 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 5:38:48 AM Ignore rabbit_tdi Report Abuse Sure, heating by natural gas may now be cheaper than by fuel oil, but who wants to bet this will always be the case? Might be a good idea to keep the old fuel oil furnace in place and ready to use, and install the new gas furnace in conjunction. This way one is able to burn whichever fuel is currently the cheapest. Furthermore, the fuel supplier is more likely to be attentive, since one is not a locked-in customer...
12mpgnavigator Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,779 Points:652,660 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 3:42:36 AM Ignore 12mpgnavigator Report Abuse Happy New Year everyone!
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,968 Points:2,118,365 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2013 3:19:31 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Sign of the times...
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,473 Points:663,175 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:15:44 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Glad we have nauural gas.
pa79th Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,787 Points:1,217,825 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:09:42 PM Ignore pa79th Report Abuse You'd think that would increase the supply of gasoline...and it does,...but that's just another blatantly greedy excuse to jack the prices up.
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,084 Points:1,102,880 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:09:33 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse This is a win for the environment.
naspa Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,276 Points:353,125 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:08:25 PM Ignore naspa Report Abuse They are all suffering, poor gas industry CEOs
diesel8888 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,196 Points:360,265 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:08:18 PM Ignore diesel8888 Report Abuse I hope to see this happening on cars as well.
FortVancouver01 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,170 Points:288,045 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:07:22 PM Ignore FortVancouver01 Report Abuse We switched over three years ago and have cut our heating bill in half. We will have the new system paid for in less than two more years.
jdevlin All-Star Author Ontario Posts:798 Points:1,379,720 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:07:20 PM Ignore jdevlin Report Abuse NG is cheaper if yo can get it.
Darwin00 All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:830 Points:271,155 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:05:49 PM Ignore Darwin00 Report Abuse Go natural gas!
cheaper0ON All-Star Author Ontario Posts:988 Points:399,030 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 9:01:23 PM Ignore cheaper0ON Report Abuse Good.
gasmack Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,713 Points:668,460 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:57:00 PM Ignore gasmack Report Abuse Good luck to those staying with the heating oil business.
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:591 Points:144,460 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:55:40 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse need more renewables,,,
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:5,638 Points:1,558,540 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:51:56 PM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse it nice when you HAVE a choice
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:556,980 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:47:46 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Hmm
beachmanglen All-Star Author Tampa Posts:679 Points:497,100 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:44:42 PM Ignore beachmanglen Report Abuse Boone Pickens is right. Natural gas is the answer.
BanTheEPA Sophomore Author Dayton Posts:218 Points:49,135 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:39:55 PM Ignore BanTheEPA Report Abuse Now your talking DEG!!
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,421 Points:423,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:36:40 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Oh my.
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:8,077 Points:1,486,075 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:35:22 PM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse Things do change.
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,080 Points:1,323,260 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:34:19 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse They could of went into the NAT GAS HEATING BUSINESS, nothing beats it!
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,901 Points:2,132,580 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:32:44 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse I wish NG to take more of that business away.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,625 Points:3,495,680 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:31:19 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse End all subsidies for all forms of energy (gas, natural gas, wind, solar, etc.) and let the market sort it out (with the caveat that the refined products stay in North America or are charge a large excise tax).
BanTheEPA Sophomore Author Dayton Posts:218 Points:49,135 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:25:34 PM Ignore BanTheEPA Report Abuse This wouldn't be an issue if our government were willing to reign in out of control prices, especially for a product produced and consumed domestically. It does not matter how much oil India or China are using. They are not camped out in our backyards using our oil. Any excess we have, then we can sell to them or whomever at jacked up rates, but our government needs to adopt an a America First philosophy and base domestic product on reasonable prices. It is sad that people who have to use heating oil can spend a few thousand dollars to switch to a natural gas furnace and be able to recoup that cost in one or two years max.
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,952 Points:2,079,135 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:24:38 PM Ignore Marson Report Abuse Not a surprise.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,071 Points:1,732,210 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:24:14 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse basic economics of competition who uses heating oil anyways?
69Bonne Champion Author Gary Posts:1,155 Points:474,125 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:24:06 PM Ignore 69Bonne Report Abuse A small business trying to find a new way to survive. Good for him. If that was a big company, they would have shut it down and laid off more people. Small business is the core of this country.
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,557 Points:1,919,755 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:21:19 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Interesting!
KhelbenArunson Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,446 Points:718,615 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:19:26 PM Ignore KhelbenArunson Report Abuse Good.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,659 Points:2,360,945 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:07:22 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I would guess that is the way to go, natural gas, as fuel oil now in new furnaces is converted to a gas when burned. I would go with the cheaper fuel. Sorry for the business loss, but would think they could convert to working on natural gas equipment.
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,759 Points:2,466,805 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:02:54 PM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Go natural gas.
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,569 Points:1,513,105 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:02:47 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse greed rules here too
sickhp Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,379 Points:517,880 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 8:01:35 PM Ignore sickhp Report Abuse I enjoy using Natural Gas.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,805 Points:819,310 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:58:16 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Hmmm...
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,927 Points:1,575,955 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:56:01 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse Less demand on oil is good
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,081 Points:2,470,815 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:48:46 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse Oil is still good... but has failed to remain competitive as new supplies of natural gas come on line. Its a matter of adapt or sink.
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,035 Points:1,487,855 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:47:42 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Natural gas will go back up, but still may stay cheaper than fuel oil.
lowspeed All-Star Author Akron Posts:726 Points:201,280 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:44:46 PM Ignore lowspeed Report Abuse there are better ways to heat
medic319 All-Star Author Akron Posts:733 Points:247,235 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:44:28 PM Ignore medic319 Report Abuse My dad does everything he can to keep from burning fuel oil. He built several "heat grabbers" from Mother Earth News plans.
sarasotasingle Sophomore Author Sarasota Posts:201 Points:236,280 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:44:22 PM Ignore sarasotasingle Report Abuse GREED !!!!!!!!!!!
seahawks Champion Author Washington Posts:3,232 Points:1,964,720 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:40:33 PM Ignore seahawks Report Abuse just pure greed!!!
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:7,047 Points:1,514,125 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:35:52 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse Gas prices have not jumped like oil!
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:5,281 Points:1,329,695 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:34:10 PM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Always said that the Oil Companies were screwing themselves with high price of fuel.
bhb2009 Veteran Author Flint Posts:288 Points:765,035 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:33:51 PM Ignore bhb2009 Report Abuse supply and demand
yyc2yow All-Star Author Ottawa Posts:658 Points:571,310 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:33:30 PM Ignore yyc2yow Report Abuse good for them
snerd All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:935 Points:655,250 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:32:09 PM Ignore snerd Report Abuse Roll with the changes or get out of the way.
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,554 Points:2,622,875 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 7:20:04 PM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse Natural gas is best if you can hook up to it.