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Dear Friends,
This winter was no picnic — January 4 saw a record low of 0°, and that was just the beginning. It really gave us the opportunity to prove the true value you get with a full-service company. On that frigid day, Swezey customers’ average wait time was 1 hour and 21 minutes — no matter when they called. Our team worked extra shifts, with our customerservice representatives working long nights to handle calls and our drivers out in all weather (without an accident) to make sure nobody went without heat.
Having our own storage facilities made a huge difference — we had enough supply to meet the increased demand brought on by freezing temperatures, while other dealers came up short — leaving their customers in the cold.
It really comes down to the peace of mind you get with a family-owned business. We didn’t build our reputation for more than 90 years by cutting corners. We treat all our customers like family. When you call, we answer the phone 24 hours a day, and we’re there for you with prompt, reliable and professional service and a personal touch that you’ll never get from a guy trying to sell you bargain-basement fuel from a kiosk.
Warmly,
Bruce and Gary
Everyone who schedules a heating system tune-up by July 15, 2014, will be entered in our first drawing. A tune-up keeps your system running efficiently and helps you avoid big repairs. Call or contact us to schedule your tune-up.
Sign up to receive your statements via email and you’ll be entered in our second drawing. It’s a great way to streamline bill paying. Go to SwezeyFuel.com/GoPaperless and enroll before July 15, 2014, for a chance to win.
On a Friday in late January, our customer Danny Padrazo, a retired assistant chief operations supervisor of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, had a major boiler breakdown and called us for help.
After an initial attempt to temporarily solve the problem, the boiler as well as the water supply to the house had to be shut down the next day to avoid a major flood. Although our crew was booked solid for the next week, we were able to prioritize Mr. Padrazo’s installation, and it was scheduled for that Monday — Martin Luther King Day.
“I was witness to personification of the professional image I am certain Swezey Fuel Co. Inc. strives to convey,” Mr. Padrazo told us. “Each technician had full command of their profession. Every obstacle was overcome as a team effort, and the complexity of retrofitting the new system was made to look like ‘just another another day’s work.’ ”
For many years, we have taken pride in delivering our customers the cleanest, safest and most reliable fuel money can buy. Recent events have reinforced the value of heating oil, proving once again that heating your home with oil remains a smart choice.
The polar vortex, arctic blasts of winds, record low temperatures, plenty of snow and treacherous “black ice.” This winter was painful, but people who heat their homes with oil had less to worry about than other folks— although prices remained higher than either you or we would like.
The most serious situation occurred with propane; prices hit record highs because of sky-high demand, which led to a severe supply shortage in both the Northeast and the Midwest. At one point during the winter, propane prices had more than doubled.
Meanwhile, demand for natural gas pushed natural gas prices to their highest levels in nearly four years. Even for people who heat with oil, our increasing dependence on natural gas is driving electric rates ever higher. Some utility companies have announced increases in their electricity rates as they struggle to meet peak periods of demand.
Compounding the problem is the fact that the supply infrastructure of natural gas is unable to meet even current usage levels, let alone projected increases.
In contrast, the International Energy Agency reports that the United States is poised to become the world’s biggest oil producer soon, thanks to new drilling technology. The increase in our domestic supply should drive down prices and provide real relief in years to come.
All of these factors — and many more — make oil heat a smarter choice than ever.
Technology has brought great improvements in efficiency that have reduced annual fuel consumption by 40%. This has saved customers a lot of money on fuel. And because new systems burn cleanly and don’t need as much fuel, they do not pose a hazard to the environment. Things will get even better in the years ahead.
There is continued movement toward using ultra-lowsulfur heating oil with biofuel. This is a clean-burning fuel that produces fewer carbon emissions than natural gas, which has become more of a carbon producer due to the growing use of liquefied natural gas. Meanwhile, methane leaks from natural gas remain an environmental concern.
Modern oil burners emit near-zero levels of pollution; heating with oil today means no odors, soot or other residue in your home. Widespread use of ultra-low-sulfur diesel, combined with cuttingedge emissions-control technologies, can reduce already low emissions even further.
Today’s high-efficiency oil heat systems not only save a lot money, they also help the environment because less fuel is used.
Solar and geothermal energies are being integrated with oil heat in hybrid systems for water heating. That means a household’s water can be heated with little or no fuel required. A solar water heater can reduce water heating bills by as much as 80% and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 6,000 lbs.*
Experts believe that today, there are at least 5 trillion barrels of world petroleum resources. To put that in perspective, the world has produced about 1 trillion barrels of oil since the start of the oil industry in the mid-1800s. Not only isn’t the world running out of oil anytime soon, estimates for the global stock of oil keep growing.
You can always expect a fast and courteous response from us whenever you need help. We think that’s one of the most important differences between utility companies and local fuel dealers like us. Utilities have been conditioned to think more about numbers than people, in large part because they are monopolies that are more focused on financial and operational aspects than on customer service. In this respect, they are the opposite of local fuel oil dealers. Who would you rather call when you have a heating emergency?
If your boiler is more than 15 years old, you could see savings of as much as 30% on annual fuel costs just by updating your equipment. The newest high-efficiency models are far more efficient than boilers that are even 10 years old, so you’ll experience improved comfort while reducing your fuel use. You’ll also see fewer breakdowns. And right now, Swezey is offering special financing and a 10% discount on selected systems. To learn more about how you can lower fuel costs with a new heating system, call us or contact us for more information.
No job is too small — or too large. Whether it’s a leaky toilet or a water-heater replacement, you can count on the same courteous service and top-quality workmanship you’ve come to expect from Swezey Fuel.
We have two full-time licensed plumbers on staff, and offer affordable pricing with no surprises. Give us a try — schedule a plumbing service today and we’ll give you a 10% discount.*
Is your a/c system ready to beat the heat? Now is the time to schedule seasonal maintenance.
It’s also a great time to replace your old system — thanks to PSEG’s Cool Homes Program. A quality installation by a Cool Homes contractor (Swezey is one!) will save you hundreds of dollars on electric bills and provide maximum cooling comfort. Plus — and here’s the best part — it will qualify you for up to $700 in rebates. Call or contact us for more information.
With this winter’s arctic temperatures, everyone used a lot more fuel than usual — and Swezey’s EasyPay customers really appreciated the convenience of monthly payments more than ever.
When you sign up for our EasyPay plan, you eliminate the burden of paying huge winter fuel bills, and instead spread your payments over 11 months of regular, level bills — no matter how much fuel you use. Plus, EasyPay customers get a 2% rebate, calculated annually on credit balances in your account.
Please give us a call, or contact us for more information.