CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (WBTV) -
Plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures left no hint on Thursday of what's to come next week. Forecasters are expecting a major change and drop in the temperature as early as Monday.
That forecast had local oil distributors filling up home heating oil tanks. Companies expect to be very busy next week when the temperatures drop. "The phone will ring off the hook," said Harold Helton of Lenoir Ice and Fuel Company.
The price of heating oil will vary from company to company and what someone pays will also depend on how much oil they have delivered and what discounts they may qualify for.
Many companies have senior discounts and will also knock a few pennies off per gallon for people who pay cash or settle the bill within a short time period. The less oil you order, the more you will pay, and vice versa. Most companies will not deliver less than 100 gallons.
On Thursday, prices ranged from $3.59 per gallon to $3.79. Officials say they don't know if the price will drop or rise anytime soon.
Officials at Blue Ridge Energies suggest that customers ask questions when they talk with their distributor. It is also suggested that folks who use oil don't wait until their tanks are empty before placing an order.
Next week they expect a flood of calls and that could delay some deliveries, though most distributors say they should be able to fill the order within a day.
Experts also advise folks not to turn on the furnace right away after a fill up. They suggest waiting a few hours to give the oil and whatever debris might be in the tank a chance to settle. Otherwise there is the danger of filters or nozzles inside the furnace getting clogged up.
If that happens, a repair company would need to be called so an expert and get the system in proper working order.
Copyright 2012 WBTV. All rights reserved.
