Posted: September 21, 2026
Dear Valued Customer,
With cooler days coming and winter in sight, we are receiving many calls about high fuel prices. The heating oil market has risen dramatically in a remarkably short period of time, driven in large part by escalating hostilities in Iran that are disrupting global crude oil supplies. The speed and magnitude of the increase have been extraordinary, even for an energy market that can be volatile.
We know how difficult increases like this are for our customers, and we share your concern. Local energy retailers like us have no control over global markets, and we don’t profit from environments like this. We want to see prices come down as much as you do.
History also shows that energy prices can change quickly. We saw this after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine: Prices spiked rapidly but came back down over the following year. We can’t promise when that will happen again, but we can help you make smart decisions in an uncertain market.
This is an excellent time to enroll in our Price Cap program. Prices are high now, and this program protects you if they go higher while allowing you to benefit when they go down. Regardless of which way the markets move, you’re protected. From the moment you’re enrolled in our Price Cap, you’ll have a ceiling on how high your price per gallon can go. But if the market price is lower than the cap on the day we deliver your oil, you pay the lower price. You can stop worrying about the uncertainty of oil markets this season by enrolling now — call us to get started.
If you’re on our Automatic Delivery plan, stay on it. Trying to “time the market” by waiting to call for fuel isn’t a good strategy. No one can predict when market conditions will change, and even when crude or wholesale prices decline, a particular company’s retail heating oil price may not change immediately or by the same amount.
Automatic Delivery is especially valuable when supplies are tight. We carefully plan our fuel inventories and delivery schedules around the anticipated needs of our Automatic Delivery customers. If you choose to call for fuel, you’ll need to monitor your fuel level carefully and allow several additional days for delivery during periods of tight supply or cold weather.
If you’re already on a Budget Plan, you’re ahead of the game. It doesn’t change the cost of the fuel you use, but spreading your estimated heating expenses into monthly payments helps reduce the impact of large winter delivery bills.
Take steps to reduce your energy use. Small changes can add up: Use a programmable thermostat to lower temperatures while you’re away or asleep, replace air filters regularly, seal air leaks, keep vents and baseboards clear, and open shades on sunny days to take advantage of natural warmth.
We have managed periods of volatile pricing and tight supply before, and we know how to navigate them. We’re doing everything we can to manage our fuel costs and supply responsibly. A major advantage we have is the network of strong relationships we’ve worked hard to develop and maintain with fuel suppliers. Our agreements with trustworthy partners put us in a strong position to have ample heating oil reserves for our customers even in tighter periods.
Our team is always here to answer your questions and help you keep your home warm this winter.
Sincerely,
Chris Chase
President
FSi Oil Services
