Homeowners cope with heating oil prices

James Cross sat in his car on a hot Monday afternoon and cheerfully talked about the difficulties he's going to face this winter paying his bills.

Of course, when you had a heart transplant less than a year ago, getting to see another winter — no matter how expensive — might tend to brighten your attitude about struggles like this.

Cross' heart transplant came up as he discussed his need to find some help this winter. It'll be the second time in the 12 years he's been a homeowner that he will need help.

Cross noted with irony that he was a dispatcher for a heating oil company until about April 2007, when his heart trouble forced him to stop working. He had a heart transplant in September that year. He said he has monthly appointments to check on his progress and so far, so good.

"I think oil is going to be sky high," Cross said. "They're not making it easy to heat with oil."

That's exactly what thousands of Connecticut residents are thinking as they try to figure out how to pay for 700 to more than 1,000 gallons of oil they'll need to get through the year.

Heating oil prices were flirting with $5 a gallon recently but have come down and are nearing the $4 range, which is still much higher than a year ago.

Responses to the looming expense vary and include crossing fingers, trimming use, installing new heating systems and trying to work out payment plans with dealers.

Some dealers aren't even offering firm contracts for heating oil because the price has been so volatile and high. "I've lost 100 customers because I'm not offering fixed prices," said Sam Livieri Jr., vice president of West Haven-based Apple Oil Co. Apple has customers throughout New Haven and Fairfield counties.


continue....