HeatBuddy

05/20/2026

Thinking about converting from oil to gas? Here's the quick version.

It costs $6K-$20K depending on your setup, and the payback through lower fuel costs takes 5-10 years. Before you call a contractor, check if gas is even available at your address — a lot of rural Northeast streets don't have mains.

Not sure which way to go? Check the graphic for a quick breakdown.

If you're staying on oil, the simplest way to save is comparing prices every time you fill up. Do it free at heatbuddy.app

05/15/2026

THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING FROM OIL TO GAS? READ THIS FIRST.

Every time oil prices spike, homeowners start asking the same question: should I just convert to gas? After this season's run-up past $5.60/gallon, that question is louder than ever. Here's the honest breakdown.

WHAT IT ACTUALLY COSTS
A full oil-to-gas conversion runs $6,000 to $20,000 depending on your situation. That includes a new gas furnace or boiler ($3,500-$7,000), oil tank removal ($500-$3,400), gas line connection ($1,000-$2,000+), permits, and labor. If your street doesn't have a gas main, it could cost significantly more — or it might not be possible at all.

THE SAVINGS ARE REAL — BUT SLOW
Natural gas is cheaper per BTU than heating oil. Most homeowners save $800 to $1,500 per year after converting. But at that rate, you're looking at a 5-10 year payback on the conversion cost. When oil is at $5.60/gallon the math looks great. When oil drops back to $3.50, that payback period stretches.

BEFORE YOU CALL A CONTRACTOR, CHECK THREE THINGS
→ Is natural gas even available at your address? Large parts of rural CT, MA, and northern New England don't have gas mains. Call your utility (Eversource, National Grid, etc.) or check their website.
→ How old is your current oil system? If it's under 10 years old and working well, you might be better off riding it out and saving the conversion cost.
→ How long are you staying? If you're selling within 5 years, you probably won't recoup the investment. If you're staying 10+, the math starts working.

WHEN CONVERSION MAKES SENSE
→ Your oil furnace is 15+ years old and needs replacement anyway
→ Gas is available at your address
→ You plan to stay in the home long-term
→ You want to add gas appliances (stove, dryer, water heater)
→ You're tired of oil delivery logistics

WHEN STAYING ON OIL MAKES SENSE
→ Your system is relatively new
→ Gas isn't available or requires an expensive line extension
→ You're not staying in the home long-term
→ You're comfortable shopping around for competitive oil prices

THE BOTTOM LINE
Converting to gas isn't a no-brainer — it's a significant investment that makes sense for some homeowners and not others. Don't let a price spike push you into a $15,000 decision. Run the numbers for your specific situation.
And if you're staying on oil, comparing prices every time you fill up is the simplest way to keep costs down. heatbuddy.app

Compare home heating oil prices from 250+ dealers across 10 Northeast states. Find the best price in your county — free, no account needed.

05/06/2026

Your furnace just worked hard for six months straight. Now's the time to get it serviced — not in October when every HVAC tech in the Northeast is booked out three weeks.

Summer tune-ups are faster to schedule, often cheaper, and give you time to fix anything before you actually need heat again.

A basic tune-up runs $125-$175. An emergency repair on a Sunday night in January? Way more than that.

heatbuddy.app

04/22/2026

Heating season is winding down,but don't ignore your system until October.

A little maintenance now saves headaches (and money) later. Here's your off-season checklist:

✓ Schedule a furnace tune-up while techs are available
✓ Replace your oil filter
✓ Inspect your tank for rust or damage
✓ Top off your tank — spring prices are usually lower
✓ Check/upgrade your thermostat
✓ Clean vents and radiators

Bookmark heatbuddy.app, we'll be here when fall rolls around.

04/17/2026

COD vs. Automatic Delivery — Which One Actually Saves You More?

If you heat with oil, you've probably been told you need to sign a contract for automatic delivery. Dealers push it hard — they'll talk about never running out, "free" maintenance, and peace of mind. And for some people, it genuinely is the right call.
But here's what they don't always tell you.

What COD (will-call) delivery actually means:

You monitor your own tank, and when you're getting low (around 1/4 tank), you shop around and order from whoever has the best price that day. You pay on delivery. No contract, no commitment.

What automatic delivery actually means:

Your dealer estimates when you'll need oil based on weather and usage patterns, and they show up and fill your tank on their schedule. You pay their price — whatever it happens to be that day. Most automatic plans require a contract locking you to that one dealer for the season.

THE PRICE DIFFERENCE IS REAL.

COD prices are typically $0.50 to $1.00+ per gallon cheaper than automatic delivery prices from full-service companies. On an average home burning 800 gallons per season, that's $400 to $800 in savings per year. The reason is simple — automatic delivery customers are paying a premium for convenience, and that premium includes the cost of the dealer's monitoring, scheduling, and often a bundled service plan.

The "free maintenance" trap.

Many dealers include a "free" annual tune-up with an automatic delivery contract. But that tune-up costs $125-$150 if you hire an HVAC tech directly. If you're paying $0.75/gallon more across 800 gallons, that "free" tune-up is actually costing you $600. You're better off paying for maintenance separately and buying cheaper oil.

When automatic delivery makes sense:

You travel frequently and can't monitor your tank
You've run out of oil before and don't want to risk it again
You want one company handling everything and don't mind paying for that
You have an older system that needs regular professional attention

When COD makes sense:

You're comfortable checking your tank gauge every week or two
You want to shop around for the best price each time you order
You'd rather pay less per gallon and handle maintenance separately
You don't want to be locked into a contract with one dealer

The bottom line:

Neither option is universally "better." But most homeowners who switch from automatic to COD and actively compare prices save hundreds per year. The key is being disciplined about monitoring your tank — if you let it run dry, the emergency delivery fee will wipe out your savings fast.

Whichever way you buy, compare prices first at heatbuddy.app

Compare home heating oil prices from 250+ dealers across 10 Northeast states. Find the best price in your county — free, no account needed.

04/15/2026

It's tax season! Here’s what heating oil homeowners should know.

The short version: heating oil for your home isn't tax-deductible. But there are exceptions worth checking with your CPA, especially if you're self-employed with a home office or you installed a new furnace in 2025.

One thing that's always available? Saving money by comparing prices before you buy. That's free at heatbuddy.app

Not tax advice so talk to your accountant for your specific situation.

04/01/2026

April Fools! 🎉 Here's some terrible advice: ignore your oil tank all summer. Don't think about it. Don't top it off. Definitely don't lock in a dealer. Just wait until October when it's freezing, prices are spiking, and every technician in a 30-mile radius is booked solid.

Sounds great, right?

Okay, real talk — here's what to actually do before summer hits:
✅ Keep at least ¼ tank minimum (empty tanks collect condensation and rust from the inside)
✅ Keep your eyes on prices as we hope they will drop spring / summer
✅ Book your annual tune-up before the fall rush
✅ Find and save a dealer on HeatBuddy so you're not scrambling
Don't be an April Fool about your heating oil. 😄

heatbuddy.app

03/24/2026

Heating season isn't over yet — but it will be soon. Here are 5 things to knock out before you mothball your system for the summer.

🔍 1. Inspect your tank — Look for rust, leaks, or damage. Catching problems now beats an emergency in October.
🔧 2. Change your filter — A clogged filter strains your system. Quick swap, big difference.
📅 3. Schedule a cleaning — Technicians are slammed in fall. Book your annual tune-up now while you can actually get an appointment.
⛽ 4. Top off your tank — Spring prices are lower. Don't start next season on empty.
🤝 5. Lock in a dealer — Know who you're calling before you need them. Find and compare dealers at heatbuddy.app.

Save this post — you'll thank yourself in September.
heatbuddy.app

03/20/2026

Spring has sprung! See what heating oil costs in your county right now 👇

Prices vary more than most people realize — even between towns 20 miles apart. Dealers set their own rates, and they change constantly.

HeatBuddy tracks prices across Connecticut so you're never flying blind when it's time to order.

Check your county: heatbuddy.app/states

Find and compare home heating oil prices from dealers near you across the Northeast. Community-reported prices, updated daily.

03/19/2026

Knowing a dealer's price today is useful. Knowing whether it's been creeping up for the last three months? That's actually powerful.

HeatBuddy just got a major upgrade. Two new features now live on every dealer page:

📈 Price history charts — See how a dealer's price has moved over time before you ever pick up the phone. No more guessing whether you're getting a good deal or just a good day.

🔄 Weekly EIA price sync — Every week, HeatBuddy pulls the latest regional benchmark data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and updates our baseline. So the context you're comparing against is always current.
This is what comparison shopping for heating oil should look like.

Check your dealer 👉 heatbuddy.app