Good news and bad news...
Farmers' Almanac predicts another cold, snow-filled winter
 
Although some of you may be reading this article from a folding beach chair, the Farmers' Almanac has been thinking about the upcoming winter for months. The results are in, and this year's weather prediction contains one resounding message across the northern U.S.: prepare for more cold.
  
"It's like Winter D�j� vu," said Peter Geiger, Editor. "Last year our bitterly cold, shivery forecasts came true in many states including the 23 eastern states that experienced one of their top-ten coldest Februaries on record. This year, many of these same states may want to get a jump start now and stock up on lots of winter survival gear."

The official outlook is described as "Snowy and Bitter Cold" in New England and New York, "Snowy and Unseasonably Cold" in the Mid-Atlantic States and "Snow-Filled and Frigid" in the Upper Midwest.

It is not immediately clear how "snowier than normal" conditions in New England will compare with last year's unprecedented precipitation totals, but it is worth noting that the National Weather Service, whose methods place slightly less emphasis on sunspot activity and planetary arrangements, is predicting a relatively average winter.
 
Oil prices continue to plummet...
What does it mean for fuel dealers?

As the stock market fluctuated wildly last week--most notably in a 558-point Dow Jones Index crash on Monday followed by a near-comparable rebound on Wednesday--oil prices continued their steep decline. At press time, light, sweet crude for October delivery was at $38.60 per barrel, less than a dollar above the six-year low it reached on Monday, and heating oil stock rose by 1.4 billion barrels, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The effect is already being observed in the price of heating oil. Whereas last year the average price of heating oil in Massachusetts was around $3.70 per gallon, companies such as FuelCo in Springfield, MA were offering it for as low as $1.86/gal as of August 26. In New York City, prices averaged $2.83 per gallon, a 29% drop from the same time last year.

Mobile home residents fume over conversion policy
Heating oil users asked to switch to propane to avoid spill liability

Residents at a mobile home park in Longswamp Township, PA expressed frustration after being asked to convert their home heating systems from heating oil to "an alternative" by December 1. Located about 15 miles southwest of Allentown, Mountain Village Community has been home to some residents for nearly 40 years, according to 69 News.

"I have always burned either kerosene or fuel oil, so this was a real hardship when they told us we had no choice," said Ruth Houck. "We had to do this."

Global HVAC market positioned for further growth
Market conditions in the U.S. appear particularly favorable

A new market research report from Chisult Insight Co. suggests that the global market for HVAC equipment is poised for another year of above-average growth. The U.S. market in particular is enjoying the most favorable conditions in a decade, says Chisult, due to lower raw material costs, falling unemployment rates and increased consumer confidence, among other factors. In the commercial HVAC market, stable growth of about 5% is anticipated.

history
New Products

Angus Analytics - BRITE 2.0

Angus Analytics released the newest edition of its BRITE software, version 2.0, along with a newly designed website, BRITEinfo.com. Designed for fuel dealers, the software promises to track margin trends against a budget, maximize delivery efficiency, monitor and analyze customer gains and losses, and monitor weather patterns for accurate staffing and hedging, among other features. It is the only software of its kind available to the petroleum industry, according to Angus.

Wells Lamont - FlexTech I2459

Wells Lamont introduced the new FlexTech I2459 ANSI Cut Level 5 palm dipped impact gloves. Soft and flexible thermoplastic rubber pads protect hands from impact, while the sandy nitrile palm coating helps maintain a firm grip in wet and oily conditions, according to the manufacturer. 

A.O. Smith - ProMax Direct Vent Gas Water Heater

The new Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant (FVIR) Promax Direct Vent gas water heater, from A.O. Smith, is designed to draw air from outside the home, eliminating issues caused by and associated with insufficient indoor ventilation. Featuring a 75-gallon tank and 55,000 BTU gas burner, the ProMax Direct Vent comes with 2-inch foam insulation and adjustable venting features that can expand up to 80 feet.

Testo announces rebate offer
Receive $150 back on combustion analyzer offer
 
As part of the company's Great Leaders promotion, purchasers of a new Testo 310, 320 or 330 Combustion Analyzer will receive a $150 rebate. The promotion began on Aug. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2016.


Note: According to the terms and conditions, forms must be filled out by hand.
AFS welcomes new territory manager 


Mark Smith joined Advanced Fuel Solutions as a new Territory Manager. Mark's responsibilities will include generating new customer sales, marketing and sales strategic planning. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the heating oil industry, including in sales management roles for HOP Energy, Diamond Delchester and Major Oil.

 

"Mark brings a diversified and invaluable amount of professional talents to AFS," said Paul Nazzaro, President. "It is our intention to rely on Mr. Smith to help broaden AFS's reach into new markets by way of leveraging his many years of experience in the heating oil business."

Events
Southern New England Energy Conference
September 21 - 22
Newport Marriott - Newport, RI

 
Join the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA), the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association (MEMA) and the Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island (OHIRI) at the 3rd annual Southern New England Energy Conference in picturesque Newport. Stay tuned to ICM and IndoorComfortMarketing.com for more details as the conference approaches.
 
___________________________________________________

OESP Oil Heat Retreat
Thursday, Oct. 1 to Sunday, Oct. 4
Cape Cod Resort & Conference Center
Hyannis, MA 


The 10th annual OESP Oil Heat Retreat will take to Cape Cod for a Fall weekend of education, dining, golf and a tour of Hyannis. The event will include a NORA Gold Hydronics Course taught by Dave Holdorf, Taco. Contact Judy Garber or click here for more information.
___________________________________________________

Carlin University
September Class Schedule
 
Wed. Sept. 9: Residential oil
Thu. Sept. 10: Residential gas
Wed. Sept. 23: Commercial oil
Thu. Sept. 24: Commercial gas

 All classes: $99
8:00am - 3:30pm

 Carlin Combustion Technology, Inc.
126 Bailey Rd., North Haven, CT
Breakfast and lunch included
___________________________________________________
 
Gas Appliance Service presents Timmie McElwain
September Training Sessions

One week straight
9/14: Fundamentals of Combustion - $300
9/15: Circuitry & Troubleshooting - $300
9/16: Hydronic Controls Circuitry - $300
9/17: Gas Heating Electric Ignition Systems - $300
9/18: Gas Heating Advanced Electric Ignition Systems - $300

Sat., 9/26: Circuitry & Troubleshooting - $300

All classes:
338 Metacom Ave, Warren, RI
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM 
 
To register, e-mail [email protected] or call (401) 437-0557.
___________________________________________________

9/14Oil Heat Institute of Long Island (OHILI) Fall Golf Outing. St. George's Golf & Country Club, Stony Brook, NY. www.ohili.org

9/16-17: Empire State Energy Association (ESEA) Fall Conference. Courtyard Marriott, Saratoga Springs, NY. [email protected]

9/19-23: North Carolina Propane Gas Association (NCPGA) Annual Convention. Embassy Suites, Concord, NC. [email protected]919-787-8485

9/28-30: Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA) Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting. Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa, Bedford, PA. www.papetroleum.org
___________________________________________________
Eastern Energy Expo
May 22-26, 2016 
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT 

 

Co-hosted by the Atlantic Region Energy Expo (AREE), the National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals (OESP) and the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association (PPA). 


 
For more information, visit EasternEnergyExpo.com or contact Marjorie Feinman, Fuel Merchants Association of NJ (FMA), or Judy Garber, OESP.

Snap a selfie!


All summer long, QuestVapco is inviting contractors and technicians to take "selfie" photos at the job site along with their favorite QestVapco product. Each monthly winner receives a $100 gift card.

 

To the right is one of July's winners, Sam Earl of Samuels Cooling in Edgewater, FL, posing with QuestVapco's Python EZ A/C Care Evaporator Coil Cleaner & Disinfectant.

 

Don Farrell
Publisher
973.331.9545 x101

Greg Dool
Assistant Editor
973.331.9545 x106

To advertise in ICM's e-News
or any ICM publication, contact: 
Doug Bacile
National Sales Manager
973.331.9545  x109