- Will I save money if I upgrade my oil
heat system?
- Why should I schedule regular maintenance
on my oil heating equipment?
- Isn't heating oil more
expensive than natural gas?
- What makes up the price of a litre of
gasoline at MacEwen?
- Why does the price vary from region to
region?
- Why do MacEwen's prices seem to move in
unison with competitors?
- Why do gasoline prices seem to go up
before a long weekend?
- Where can I get more information on fuel
pricing?
1. Will I save money if I
upgrade my oil heat system?
A: Studies show older equipment is not as effective as more
efficient modern units. New oil heating equipment produces the
highest average efficiency at 85%. Make an appointment to have your oil
heating system evaluated by a MacEwen Home Comfort specialist.
After thoroughly inspecting the oil heating equipment, the service
technician may suggest an upgrade. A new oil heating system will
reduce maintenance and repair costs, lower your oil heating bills,
and provide greater peace-of-mind. A new, modern, compact, high
efficiency oil heating system will often pay for itself over a
short period of time.
2. Why should I schedule
regular maintenance on my oil heating equipment?
A: According to studies, oil heating equipment that is
maintained annually uses 13% less fuel than units that are not.
Approximately 55% of homeowners have their oil heating equipment
serviced. Those that don't may experience an increase of 10-15% in
fuel bills. Maintenance extends the life of your oil heating
equipment by as much as 20-30% which can translate into 5 to 10
years of additional usage for a oil furnace or boiler.
Approximately 75% of all emergency repairs can be avoided with
regular maintenance.
3. Isn't heating oil more
expensive than natural gas?
A: Once the big utilities raise prices for natural gas, they
almost never go back down again. Your local oil heating dealers
keep heating oil prices as low as possible through good old
fashioned competition and a variety of service options. In
addition, these smaller, local businesses, like MacEwen, understand
the value of superior customer service. A public utility just can't
match our dedication. Finally, consider the long-term costs. Oil
furnaces last significantly longer than other options, averaging 30
years compared to 15 years for a typical gas furnace. Moreover, a
gallon of home heating oil produces more heat compared to a
comparable amount of natural gas. In other words, your home heats
up faster and stays warmer longer-which saves you money.
4. What makes up the price of a litre of gasoline
at MacEwen?
A: Four unique costs go into MacEwen's pump price: crude oil,
taxes, retail margin, and refining marketing margin.
Gasoline prices go up and down over time and vary from place to
place, so the price breakdown for a litre of gasoline also
varies.
5. Why does the price vary
from region to region?
A: There are a few factors that affect the cost of fuel from
region to region. The cost of transportation and taxes (provincial
and municipal) varies between regions. The amount of fuel a station
can sell may also affect price. A MacEwen service station that
sells more fuel and other products may be able to offer customers a
lower price than a station that sells less fuel. Retailers in large
cities need a smaller operating margin to make a reasonable profit
because they are selling more gasoline.
We know MacEwen customers largely base their purchase decisions
on price. We have access to the cheapest supply, allowing our
customers to pay the lowest prices.
6. Why do MacEwen's prices
seem to move in unison with competitors?
Customers are determined to purchase gas at the most affordable
rate. MacEwen observes posted prices to ensure our prices are
competitive in the market and can adapt quickly to market
conditions. Customers will drive across town for as little as two
tenths of a cent a litre - a saving of just a dime on a 50-litre
fill-up. This means MacEwen retailers have to stay competitive on
price or our customers will shop elsewhere.
7. Why do gasoline prices seem
to go up before a long weekend?
Statistically, prices tend to rise throughout the summer months
when demand increases due to increased summer travel. Consumers
tend to pay attention to the price of gasoline on long weekends
because they drive more - and refill their gas tanks more often.
Supply and demand, and basic business understanding would explain
why competitors capitalize on the increase in automobile traffic.
MacEwen remains on par with its competitive pricing.
Prices do not necessarily go up on long weekends. Retail prices
follow wholesale; wholesale follows world prices for crude,
gasoline and distillate futures. The wholesale and retail margins
are reasonably consistent on a daily basis and higher prices on a
weekend are either a result of higher future trading preceding the
weekend or perception.
8. Where can I get more
information on fuel pricing?
A: Fuel Focus is a bi-weekly newsletter produced
by Natural Resources Canada that analyzes petroleum product prices,
trends and events influencing the Canadian market at any given
time.
The Canadian Automobile Association has a
website geared towards motorists concerned about pump prices.
If you have any further questions about anything related to
gasoline, oil, or any MacEwen related topic, please contact us. If
you'd like to read some interesting statistics about gasoline,
please read Gas
Facts.