Dear Friends,
We’ve taken care of generations of families over the years. For many of our customers, loyalty to Vaughn has become a family tradition.
A big part of that lies in the fact that we value our own traditions. Integrity, professionalism and 24/7 accessibility for our customers are as important to us today as they were when we were founded.
The fact is, most anyone can sell fuel at discount prices, tempt you with a come-on offer or give you a lowball price for an installation job. However, few companies are committed to excellence as we are or offer the extent of services we do. We don’t just talk about service, quality and value — we guarantee it!
You and your neighbors may have relied on us for decades but we wouldn’t be able to come through for you without our loyal team of employees, who are always willing to go the extra mile.
We also wouldn’t be here without our customers, so we always appreciate it when you take the time to post a public thank you on our Facebook page, ReviewBuzz or other sites. Word of mouth is the best way to make Vaughn a new tradition for families in our area.
We thank you for your loyalty and we look forward to continuing to serve you for many more years.
Warmly,
Ed Cardarelli
General Manager
Sit back, relax and watch your grass-cutting chores performed by the pre‑programmed Landroid robotic lawn mower. Read this newsletter and answer the questions on our contest page. All entries received by 6/28/19 with the correct answers will be entered into a drawing.
The Landroid uses a shock sensor system to mow around obstacles and automatically returns to its base for charging or in case of rain.
No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase chance of winning. See contest page for details.
Once again this winter, our front-line team of drivers and technicians came through for you. Through frigid temperatures and some nasty storms, our drivers handled deliveries for long hours each day to make sure every one of our customers had the fuel they needed to stay warm and safe.
And as anyone who had to call about a no-heat emergency can attest, our friendly and expert service technicians stepped up to help — no matter what time of day or night the call came in.
Don’t take our word for it: Patricia W. writes, “Very happy with the work and how the men were very polite. Thank you so much for your hard work to keep my husband and me warm.”
We’re proud that our team gets praised so often in five-star reviews on ReviewBuzz.com. Please consider posting your own online review!
Heating oil today is light-years ahead of where it was just a few decades ago. And the future is even brighter.
The heating oil industry continues to undergo a revolution in the advancement of its fuel — and the equipment used to burn that fuel.
Thanks to research and development being spearheaded by the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), heating oil is being made more cleanly and efficiently than ever before. The overall goal is to keep improving the quality of fuel and the efficiency of oil heat equipment. This will further reduce the carbon footprint and actually turn heating oil into a carbon-neutral energy source.
The industry is also working on the development of an oil-fired thermal heat pump, to provide more equipment options for oil heat consumers.
With all of this in the mix, it’s no wonder that NORA has raised an alarm about a push by some states to encourage conversions to electric heat. Research has shown that such “policy-driven electrification” would increase the average residential household cost, result in minimal reductions in emissions and put a severe strain on the electric grid.*
“It is premature for policy makers to consider regulating against heating oil when all liquid fuel furnaces and boilers could be run on a low-carbon alternative fuel before 2035,” says John Huber, NORA’s president. “The capability of the oil heating industry to innovate and reduce carbon emissions has not been adequately recognized.”
*Source: Richard Sweetser presentation, NORA Technology Workshop, Sept. 2018.
We talk a lot about the importance of great service. And a huge part of that is safety — for your home and property, for our staff, and for the environment.
It starts with our product. Heating oil is exceptionally stable and safe. It cannot explode — even if you drop a lit match into it. Heating oil is also much safer in the case of a carbon monoxide leak, because you will get a warning sign about a malfunction — unlike with natural gas.
In addition, the highly refined fuel we deliver is better for the environment, because it burns more cleanly, with fewer emissions, while producing more Btu’s of heat.
Our staff is highly trained, and their training ensures careful handling and storage and protects against spills, accidents and injuries. Our team is dedicated to embracing the latest technologies and best practices in order to maintain the highest standards for health and safety.
This end-to-end commitment to safety can’t be duplicated by the natural gas utilities. Problems with gas pipelines can often go undetected, and may result in property damage. Last year in Massachusetts, a faulty pipeline led to several gas explosions and numerous fires.
Furnaces and boilers aren’t the only types of oil heating equipment that have improved substantially over the years. There have been major advancements in heating oil storage tanks too! Here are a few things to know that will help you make good decisions about the tank on your property:
Heating oil storage tanks are strong, sturdy and durable. But, like any other piece of equipment, they won’t last forever. So if you own a tank that is more than 30 years old — whether it’s aboveground or underground — call us to start researching your replacement options. You won’t be disappointed by what’s available today!
Thanks to big increases in domestic supply, a reduction in global demand and a strong U.S. dollar, oil prices are well below the levels of a few years ago — and are expected to stay stable for the foreseeable future. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has described this as a “new normal” in heating oil prices.
While prices can fluctuate throughout the year depending on factors like the weather, supply and demand, and geopolitical events, the current outlook bodes well for the future. You can feel confident knowing that heating oil will keep you safe and warm without breaking the bank.
One of the last things you probably have on your mind right now is your oil tank. But here’s why you should be thinking about it, especially if you’re not part of our automatic delivery program.
In warm weather, condensation can easily form inside a near-empty heating oil tank. Because water is denser than heating oil, it will settle to the bottom of your tank and create sediment. This “sludge” can get into your fuel line and clog it, causing a heating system breakdown. Sludge can also corrode your tank from the inside out.
The bottom line: condensation is damaging to your heating oil tank and keeping your tank full during the off-season is a smart way to prevent problems.
If you’re not in automatic delivery program, call us to request a fill-up so we can help you head off any condensation problems with your fuel tank. If you’re on automatic delivery, don’t worry. We make sure your tank has a proper level of fuel inside during the off-season.
Q: Our oil furnace is about 20 years old and we’ve made several repairs recently. Should we replace it?
A: Yes. If you’re experiencing frequent breakdowns or your heating costs keep increasing, you’ll save far more by updating your heating equipment.
Beyond just age, older systems were built using technology and materials that transfer heat less efficiently than newer systems — so they cost more to operate.
New oil heating systems are designed to be so much more efficient; we’ve seen customers save as much as 20% on annual fuel costs. A new furnace also eliminates those expensive repairs that are so common with aging systems.
Give us a call or contact us here and we’ll be happy to crunch some numbers for you. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
John Lebrun
Service Technician
Since last November, heating oil prices have fallen again. Of course, that’s not to say that there won’t be ups and downs, which is perfectly normal in the commodities market.
Because crude oil — which is refined into heating oil and many other fuels — is a globally traded commodity, many different forces can drive its value up or down. Likewise, the political climate can have as much of an effect on prices as the actual climate.
All of this is beyond our control, but you can always count on Vaughn for a fair rate. Plus, we offer programs to help you control your heating costs. Contact us to learn more.
You can now download our app (available for IOS and Android) to have 24-hour access to your account, so you can pay bills, look up information and schedule service when it’s convenient for you. Just search for Vaughn Oil in the App store or Google Play Store to get started.
