Written on: June 8, 2026
It’s a basic fact: Heating oil prices will always fluctuate. What’s frustrating is that, when the price of heating oil is high, it usually means the price of everything else you need is going up too. You’re already paying more at the gas pump than you were only a few months ago, and we know a lot of customers are feeling the pinch and they’re worried about where prices will be when it comes time to heat their homes again.
It’s important to remember that we don’t profit when prices are higher—it’s all driven by market factors and operational costs. There are four main factors that affect the price of heating oil.
Heating oil is derived from crude oil, which is why the price of crude oil has the largest impact on the price of heating oil. Because crude oil is a commodity—a raw material that can be bought or sold—its price is driven by the laws of supply and demand. That means the global economy and any issues that affect the supply of crude oil will affect how much you pay to heat your home. Geopolitical unrest or natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt production and drive up prices.
Heating oil prices always go up in winter, when demand is high. On the other hand, in summer, heating oil prices are at their lowest. We do our best to secure supplies for the winter when prices are low so we can pass those savings on to you, particularly through our pre-buy and fixed price plans. And, it’s why we recommend filling your tank in the spring or summer, to take advantage of lower pricing.
Labor costs, transportation, and storage costs contribute to the price of heating oil just as they do for other businesses and industries. For example, when gasoline and diesel prices rise, we have to pay more both to get heating oil supplies delivered to us, and to run the trucks that deliver to you.
In addition to seasonal demand, the weather can play a big role in heating oil prices. When temperatures plunge, even in another part of the country, increased demand can drive prices up for everyone. And, in areas like the northeast, supplies may be coming from much farther away, which takes longer and costs more. This increases anxiety about short-term supply and drives prices higher.
We know how important it is for you to have a dependable source for heating oil delivery that won’t break the bank. But it’s important to understand the difference between a discount price and a good value. We will always do our best to keep prices fair and transparent, while we strive to deliver great value—like reliable delivery services and expert service and repairs, plus ways to help manage costs even when prices aren’t as low as we’d like.
While there’s very little we can do to control the cost of heating oil on the global market, delivering great value for our customers is important to us, and we strive to offer ways to help manage costs even when prices aren’t as low as we’d like. Find out why so many Litchfield County families and businesses count on Marandola for all their home heating and cooling needs.
For more information or to schedule a delivery, contact us today.