Propane prices (Smithtown: rental, home, live)

[katsmah]

We recently purchased a home in Smithtown which has a propane fueled fireplace. The PO had an acct with Paraco. Speaking to them today, we were told the price would be $3.02 per gallon with no 1st year rental charge. The price seems to be a bit high, but I am inclined to go with it for a year as we aren't sure if we want to keep the propane gas insert or change to a pellet insert. I've seen Paraco mentioned on this site before along with comments about a long term contract. Guidance from current/former Paraco customers would be appreciated.

[SadieLu]

Imagine my surprise at reading about the quote you got from Paraco when the bill we got just today for our propane (automatic delivery) was $6.27/gallon. I'm thinking I would be better off switching my gas-users (stove/dryer/hw heater) to electric and be done with it.
Anybody else paying such outrageous prices for propane??

[sojourn traveller]

Propane is expensive, so try to limit its use. Go pellet for fireplace, as you say.
I had oil, propane and electric at another house. 100 gallon propane tank, for cook-top only, filled 1x a year.
Oil for heating and hot water. The oven and dryer electric.

[Bossman140]

Paraco are the biggest crooks on Long Island. Had them for a few years out of sheer laziness of switching. Awful service to go along with high prices. Found a mom and pop company that is literally a million times better. never an issue with delivery or service.

[Joe461]

Check this link: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Researche...Propane-Prices


It's a NYS listing of average propane prices by region.

I have a place upstate that uses propane. Amazing the difference in prices. I was using a local guy and paid a fair rate. He was bought out by a big national company - Amerigas. They kept increasing prices. Eventually, I was being billed about 4x the "average" price shown on the list. When I questioned them about it, the gas company became nasty.

I changed to a local supplier and have since been paying less than the average cost listed on the NYS site.

I think many of the big companies employ a similar approach and charge well above market price... driving up the averages and hoping the unsuspecting customer doesn't notice (or shop around).

$3.02 seems close to the current average price, but I would still shop around.