Beat High Energy Costs.....

Hermit Cover · 01-06-2008, 09:21 PM

Several years ago when we were researching heating systems for our new home someone (it might have been a Forum member) suggested that we look into "Our Town Energy Alliance"...a growing number of families ....9000 members of this cooperative that share in fuel savings. We joined...Paying the annual membership fee of $25.00 in the Spring for energy savings for the coming Fall heating season. We filled our 1000 gallon propane tank last month at a price of $1.84 per gallon..... I understand the savings are similar for fuel oil. I could go on and on about this topic but it would be far easier to refer you all to the OTCC web site to investigate the savings for yourself. The web site is well- organized and self explanatory. Try www.otchoice.com

fatlazyless · 01-07-2008, 05:39 AM

$1.84/gal for propane...WOW...what a savings deal! I'm jealous! People like me with the 100 gallon Q-tanks seem to get locked-away-for-life in Propane Prison, because we unknowingly got married to our propane tanks. The big bad propane company owns the tank and regulator valves, so switching companies is more costly than getting a divorce! Poor me!

Last winter, I was paying Amerigas $5.29, and this winter it has dropped to 2.39 thanks to Amerigas' pre-buy in August plan.

cursereversed · 01-25-2008, 12:33 PM

Hermit,

I'm a little confused. I checked out the website and signed up (did not pay the membership fee yet). Do I pay for the oil when I accept the bid from the oil company or do i pay for the oil when it is delivered? That part is a little confusing. In your situation, did you pay for your propane ahead of time or when it was delivered?

thanks!

wifi · 01-25-2008, 12:55 PM

Our Town is working on the bids for the 2008-2009 season. This season is closed. When OT goes out for a bid, who ever is a paid member is included in that bid. They will do several bids up until the next heating season. At the opening of next season, you have the choice of accepting the bid or buying it on your own at which point you would waste your $25 membership fee. Propane does not have a pre-buy, you pay for it after delivery, as you normally would, just the price is a lot more acceptable

In the years following the first one, the price is based on what you used the year before.

I don't know how OT does it for oil, I only use propane.

Hermit Cover · 01-25-2008, 09:55 PM

This is my third season as a member but my first season as a user...Oil is the same as propane from my understanding...the vendor delivers the oil to you as a member and you pay the bid rate when you get the oil..not before. Good luck. Hope your savings are good...propane sure was.

DREAMS · 01-27-2008, 12:42 PM

I have been a member as well for several years through the service of Eastern Propane for both propane and heating oil. The 2009 member lettter and sign forms indicate they are now including Iriving Oil and Eastern Propane & Oil as two companies who will allow discounts at the time of delivery. The Our Town program is basically a buyer's group organization that bids with the sources based on the number of gallons committed by members applications - the more the better for pricing. Once Our Town Alliance Group finalizes their bid and award for fuel with multiple providers, they will assign a fuel provider within your territory to fill your contract.
My last experience with Eastern Propane for oil required a pre-buy only to guarantee the fuel for the season. They generally offer 2 prices within 5 cents depending on a 100% pre-buy or a budget plan that must be paid in full by October 1st. Although I had signed up with our town and was assigned to Eastern Propane last season, Eastern informed me in the late fall season that they had no fuel left to offer. Fortunately, I had a better option elsewhere. I hope the addition of Irving Oil will make Eastern Propane work for their money and customer base. They have become dominating in the market and consequently provided the same attitude to customers with customer service and pricing.

Our Town is the best deal available to lock in a reasonable fuel price. You can have multiple fuels at your house and receive a discount on each with an additional fee of $10.00 per fuel or additional address location for multiple houses. Their membership also offers group discount benefits at various stores in the Lakes Region Area including Jo-Greens in Wolfeboro!

Steveo · 02-13-2008, 08:50 AM

When do you have to sign up in order to be included the 2008-2009 buy?

wifi · 02-13-2008, 09:20 AM

Here is their website:

http://www.otnrgy.org/

They to multiple 'bids' during the year, you need to be a member at that time to take advantage of the next bid. So, if you sign up later on, you will miss out on possibly lower bids that occurred before you joined.

cursereversed · 02-26-2008, 03:54 PM

I have signed up, but i've got to say, i'm feeling unintentionaly mislead. I opened my account with Our Town, paid the $25 fee. Then i opened an account with Eastern (as directed). I gave them the membership number, etc., all credit approved (which they required). Then, the told me i will get my first quote around June or July for the pre-buy. I asked if i was able to pay upon delivery and she said no, it is a pre-buy plan. It must be paid upon accepting the offer. I'm curious to see what happens when the quotes come in, etc. and i will repost either to confirm and change my feelings about this, but so far i feel like it was just a pre-buy program, possibly at a really good rate.

Airwaves · 02-26-2008, 09:41 PM

I looked at the site and I have questions, do I have to run my tanks down to empty in order to take full advantage of the program?

So is the price based on how much they put into your tanks or capacity of the propane tanks, and will they come automatically or do I have to call them?

I have Rymes now and get a discount for direct payment and I don't call them they just show up after X number of days and top me off.

Thanks AW

01-06-2008, 09:21 PM	#1
Hermit Cover Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hermit Cove Posts: 354 Thanks: 20 Thanked 68 Times in 40 Posts	Beat High Energy Costs..... Several years ago when we were researching heating systems for our new home someone (it might have been a Forum member) suggested that we look into "Our Town Energy Alliance"...a growing number of families ....9000 members of this cooperative that share in fuel savings. We joined...Paying the annual membership fee of $25.00 in the Spring for energy savings for the coming Fall heating season. We filled our 1000 gallon propane tank last month at a price of $1.84 per gallon..... I understand the savings are similar for fuel oil. I could go on and on about this topic but it would be far easier to refer you all to the OTCC web site to investigate the savings for yourself. The web site is well- organized and self explanatory. Try www.otchoice.com

01-07-2008, 05:39 AM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,732 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,003 Times in 731 Posts	$1.84/gal for propane...WOW...what a savings deal! I'm jealous! People like me with the 100 gallon Q-tanks seem to get locked-away-for-life in Propane Prison, because we unknowingly got married to our propane tanks. The big bad propane company owns the tank and regulator valves, so switching companies is more costly than getting a divorce! Poor me! Last winter, I was paying Amerigas $5.29, and this winter it has dropped to 2.39 thanks to Amerigas' pre-buy in August plan. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

01-25-2008, 09:55 PM	#5
Hermit Cover Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hermit Cove Posts: 354 Thanks: 20 Thanked 68 Times in 40 Posts	Out Town This is my third season as a member but my first season as a user...Oil is the same as propane from my understanding...the vendor delivers the oil to you as a member and you pay the bid rate when you get the oil..not before. Good luck. Hope your savings are good...propane sure was.

01-27-2008, 12:42 PM	#6
DREAMS Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sign Up Now for 2009 I have been a member as well for several years through the service of Eastern Propane for both propane and heating oil. The 2009 member lettter and sign forms indicate they are now including Iriving Oil and Eastern Propane & Oil as two companies who will allow discounts at the time of delivery. The Our Town program is basically a buyer's group organization that bids with the sources based on the number of gallons committed by members applications - the more the better for pricing. Once Our Town Alliance Group finalizes their bid and award for fuel with multiple providers, they will assign a fuel provider within your territory to fill your contract. My last experience with Eastern Propane for oil required a pre-buy only to guarantee the fuel for the season. They generally offer 2 prices within 5 cents depending on a 100% pre-buy or a budget plan that must be paid in full by October 1st. Although I had signed up with our town and was assigned to Eastern Propane last season, Eastern informed me in the late fall season that they had no fuel left to offer. Fortunately, I had a better option elsewhere. I hope the addition of Irving Oil will make Eastern Propane work for their money and customer base. They have become dominating in the market and consequently provided the same attitude to customers with customer service and pricing. Our Town is the best deal available to lock in a reasonable fuel price. You can have multiple fuels at your house and receive a discount on each with an additional fee of $10.00 per fuel or additional address location for multiple houses. Their membership also offers group discount benefits at various stores in the Lakes Region Area including Jo-Greens in Wolfeboro!

02-26-2008, 03:54 PM	#9
cursereversed Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Underwhelmed I have signed up, but i've got to say, i'm feeling unintentionaly mislead. I opened my account with Our Town, paid the $25 fee. Then i opened an account with Eastern (as directed). I gave them the membership number, etc., all credit approved (which they required). Then, the told me i will get my first quote around June or July for the pre-buy. I asked if i was able to pay upon delivery and she said no, it is a pre-buy plan. It must be paid upon accepting the offer. I'm curious to see what happens when the quotes come in, etc. and i will repost either to confirm and change my feelings about this, but so far i feel like it was just a pre-buy program, possibly at a really good rate.

01-25-2008, 12:33 PM	#3
cursereversed Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hermit, I'm a little confused. I checked out the website and signed up (did not pay the membership fee yet). Do I pay for the oil when I accept the bid from the oil company or do i pay for the oil when it is delivered? That part is a little confusing. In your situation, did you pay for your propane ahead of time or when it was delivered? thanks!

01-25-2008, 12:55 PM	#4
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Our Town is working on the bids for the 2008-2009 season. This season is closed. When OT goes out for a bid, who ever is a paid member is included in that bid. They will do several bids up until the next heating season. At the opening of next season, you have the choice of accepting the bid or buying it on your own at which point you would waste your $25 membership fee. Propane does not have a pre-buy, you pay for it after delivery, as you normally would, just the price is a lot more acceptable In the years following the first one, the price is based on what you used the year before. I don't know how OT does it for oil, I only use propane.

02-13-2008, 08:50 AM	#7
Steveo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 523 Thanks: 47 Thanked 123 Times in 63 Posts	When do you have to sign up in order to be included the 2008-2009 buy?

02-13-2008, 09:20 AM	#8
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	Here is their website: http://www.otnrgy.org/ They to multiple 'bids' during the year, you need to be a member at that time to take advantage of the next bid. So, if you sign up later on, you will miss out on possibly lower bids that occurred before you joined.

02-26-2008, 09:41 PM	#10
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	I looked at the site and I have questions, do I have to run my tanks down to empty in order to take full advantage of the program? So is the price based on how much they put into your tanks or capacity of the propane tanks, and will they come automatically or do I have to call them? I have Rymes now and get a discount for direct payment and I don't call them they just show up after X number of days and top me off. Thanks AW