Written on: September 17, 2015

Oilheat Consumer Study Shows What Really Matters

Using renewable, domestically produced BioHeat® fuel and saving money through improved heating equipment efficiency are important factors for oilheat consumers, according to the findings of a just-released study that surveyed more than 2,300 oil heat consumers.

The 2015 Oilheat Consumer Research Study was conducted in six Northeastern states, including Connecticut, where more than 500 people shared thoughts about their fuel of choice. The responses from Connecticut oilheat consumers closely mirrored those given in neighboring states.

There were dozens of fascinating insights, including these positives:

• A whopping 85% of customers are either extremely satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their oil dealer. (In Connecticut, 87% of those surveyed said they trusted their heating oil company more than the gas utility).
• When consumers learn more about BioHeat® fuel, more than half of them say it makes them feel better about using heating oil and less likely to convert to natural gas.

The study also brought up issues that all of us in the oil heat industry need to address:

• Only 12% of all respondents are currently familiar with the benefits of BioHeat® fuel, although 35% have heard about it.
• Customer expectations about the cost to convert to natural gas and likely payback times are dramatically unrealistic; some thought they could recoup their conversion costs in just a few years! The truth is, that payback often never comes.

Switching fuels to capture a temporary price advantage in one fuel has always been like trying to “time” the stock market. By sticking with Westmore’s B20 BioHeat® fuel and upgrading to high-efficiency, clean-burning oil heating equipment, you can keep your heating bills reasonable without sacrificing an ounce of comfort.

Our goal is to have more people understand that in the years ahead.