February 2012 Bulletin
MONTHLY BUDGET AMOUNTS
Those of you who use this convenient payment plan may have noticed that the monthly budget amounts have been revised to reflect not only your own personal usage, but also the warmer weather. Therefore, the amount you should pay each month may have changed for the remaining five (5) months of the budget season. Those of you who have automatic online payments set up, please be sure and change the monthly amount. If we automatically charge your credit card, we will make the changes for you and bill you for the adjusted amount. If you have any questions, please let us know and we will be happy to review this with you.
Thanks
A SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR CUSTOMERS:First and foremost thank you for relying on RAND-HANDY to provide your home heating needs. We place great value on our customer relationships and we greatly appreciate your continued patronage. We also want you to know that the high oil prices of today are as much of a concern to us as they are to you. Crude oil prices have risen over 25% from a year ago. This is just as upsetting to us as it is to you. When prices increase the way they have, our expenses increase as well. As most of you know, it is not the local oil company making record profits. Instead, we are faced with higher operating costs just to deliver the oil as well as credit costs to purchase the oil. (This is why we are so thankful when you keep your account up to date!) However, you can rest assured we are on your side during these difficult times. We will continue to work hard to help our customers save money and ease the impact of these very high prices. If the “Energy Bubble” bursts, and oil prices drop, no one will be happier than us to share the good news. In addition, regardless of where prices are, you’ll find RAND-HANDY ready to do whatever it takes to keep your family safe and warm. |
THE CHALLENGE OF JANUARY FORECASTING CONTINUES
As always seems to be the case in January, the weather and temperature can be quite variable. As an example, the normal degree days for January are 1251. This year, the total was 1116, which is a much warmer than normal year. (The record year was in 1994 when a total of 1640 degree days occurred.) Following are the degree day comparisons for some past Januarys:
| January 2012 | 1116 | January 2009 | 1397 | |
| January 2011 | 1330 | January 2008 | 1126 | |
| January 2010 | 1239 | January 2007 | 1152 |
NATURAL GAS RESERVES? (Again Being Questioned)
The Natural gas Industry’s claim that shale holds a 100 years supply is being questioned again, this time in an article from the “Future Tense” published by State.com. The article says that claims of this 100-year-supply are overstated. “Assuming that the United States continues to use about 24 trillion cubic feet per year, then, only an 11-year-supply of natural gas is certain,” according to this State article. The other 89 years worth has not yet been shown to exist or be recoverable.
The 100 year estimate includes proven, possible, and speculative estimates according to the story. In addition, calculations use the current consumption rate of 24 trillion per year and does not account for increased consumption expected for uses like electric generation or transportation fuel. The article also calls into question profitability of drilling activities given the current low cost natural gas.
The claimed lifetime productivity of individual wells is overstated, as well as the ultimate recovery, per the article. Shale gas wells typically pay out over one half their total lifetime production in the first year. Therefore, operators must keep drilling continuously just to maintain a flat rate of overall production. Needless to say, there are still many questions about Natural gas Reserves!!
FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER
| February 2nd | Groundhog Day | Will it be too cold for this guy? |
| February 14th | Valentine’s Day | Is there a special person you should recognize? |
| February 20th | President’s Day | Our office is closed, but emergency service is always Available |
| February 21st | Maple syrup begins to run | |
| February 26th | Red Wing Blackbirds return |
THE FULL SERVICE DIFFERENCE
Why full-service dealer is different |
What the difference means to you |
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| Operate from an established place of business | We are here to take your calls and respond to your needs 24 hours a day. Some companies operate out of their homes and have no support staff. When you need emergency service during a cold winter night, we’ll be here for you. | |
| Carry a full complement of insurance | Having insurance is another reason you can count on us being there. If one of our drivers slips and injures himself on your property, our insurance will cover it. If you go with a dealer who doesn’t have adequate coverage, what will happen if a driver is injured at your home? | |
| Own a fleet of delivery vehicles and service vans | A fleet of delivery trucks and vans means you can be sure we’ll be there for you when you need us. Some dealers have only one truck-maybe a used truck- and don’t have a service van at all. What happens if the truck breaks down? | |
| Can carry extensive inventories (boilers, furnaces, burners and replacement parts) | Inventory allows us to repair and replace anything in an emergency. Our service vans stock virtually all the parts needed for an emergency service call. |
SIGN OF THE TIMES (ON A REPAIR SHOP DOOR)“We fix anything. (Please knock hard on the door. Bell doesn’t work).” |
JANUARY OIL DRAWING WINNERS
1st Prize: Norma T., Marshfield
2nd Prize: Russell E., Marshfield
3rd Prize: Walter R., Scituate
Please note that you can now enter the oil drawing online. Please complete the form below to be entered in next month’s drawing.
CONGRATULATIONS to them all!
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