This past winter tested everyone.
It was the coldest winter we’ve seen in over a decade. Snow, ice, and constant storms made every single day unpredictable. Our drivers were out in it all—long days, nights, weekends—navigating difficult conditions to make sure no one was left without heat. What normally takes minutes often took much longer. Every delivery required extra effort, extra caution, and a lot of determination.
Behind the scenes, it was just as intense.
Phones were answered by real people—knowledgeable, local, and ready to help. Routes were constantly being adjusted and readjusted based on weather, customer needs, and capacity. We worked Sundays ahead of storms. We planned, replanned, and scrambled when needed.
And through all of that, one thing mattered most:
You had heat when you needed it.
Even when it didn’t look perfect on the outside, there was a tremendous amount of effort happening behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Our goal was simple—to carry the stress so you didn’t have to.
Looking Ahead: A Different Kind of Challenge
As we move forward, the challenge may shift from weather… to supply.
Oil is a global commodity, and what happens across the world directly impacts what happens here at home. Right now, there are growing concerns about supply disruptions.
Recent reports show that numerous refineries, gas facilities, ports, and key energy infrastructure across the Middle East have been damaged or disrupted due to ongoing conflict . Some facilities have restarted, but others remain uncertain—and even when operations resume, supply chains don’t instantly recover.
That’s the key point:
When supply is disrupted, prices can move quickly—and unpredictably.
And unlike in the past, we’re seeing price changes happen faster and more frequently than ever before.
Why This Year May Be Different
What we’re heading into may be one of those years where:
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- Supply uncertainty drives volatility
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- Prices can change rapidly, even within short timeframes
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- Waiting or trying to “time the market” becomes very difficult
There is no way to predict exactly what will happen. But we can say this:
The risk of upward price pressure is real.
Protecting Yourself
We strongly recommend considering a Price Protection Plan this year.
It’s not about guessing the market—it’s about removing uncertainty.
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- Fixed Price: Lock in your price and know exactly what you’ll pay
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- Cap Price: Protection from rising prices, while still allowing for downside if markets improve
These programs are designed specifically for years like this—when stability matters more than trying to chase the lowest price.
Final Thoughts
We are a local company. We live here too. We feel the same pressures you do when energy costs rise. We don’t want high prices any more than you do.
What we can promise is this:
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- We will continue to work as hard as it takes
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- We will continue to show up when you need us
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- And we will continue to help you navigate whatever comes next
If you have questions about pricing, plans, or what makes the most sense for your situation, we’re here to help.
Thank you for trusting us to keep you in heat.
— Hometown Oil
