Quick answer: In Westchester, heating oil prices typically rise from September through winter as demand increases, so locking in a rate in August protects your household budget. Supreme Oil’s current Pre-Buy rate is $ 5.02/gallon, compared to $ 5.37/gallon for standard automatic delivery – a difference worth locking in before the season starts. If you’ve lived in Westchester for more than one winter, you already know the pattern: heating oil demand – and often price – climbs as the weather turns. Homeowners who wait until the first cold snap to think about fuel are, more often than not, paying more per gallon than neighbors who planned ahead.
How Does a Pre-Buy Contract Work?
A Pre-Buy contract lets you lock in a fixed price per gallon for the upcoming heating season, months before you actually need the oil delivered. You’re not paying for a full season of fuel today — you’re locking in the rate you’ll pay when deliveries begin. If the market price rises later in the season, which is the historical seasonal pattern in this region, you’re protected. If it falls, you’ve still budgeted predictably, which is the point: certainty, not speculation.
Pre-Buy vs. Automatic Delivery vs. Fixed Contract — Current Rates
| Plan | Current Rate | Price Locked In? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Buy | $ 5.02 Per Gal | Yes, for the season | Lowest available rate, early planners |
| Fixed Contract | $ 5.17 Per Gal | Yes, once enrolled | Price protection with more timing flexibility |
| Automatic Delivery | $ 5.37 Per Gal | No — market rate | Simplicity, no advance commitment |
(Full comparison, including which plan fits different household situations, in our companion article: “Pre-Buy vs. Fixed vs. Automatic Delivery – Which Is Right for You?“)
Why Is August Specifically the Right Time to Decide?
Two things make August the practical deadline for smart planning, not just an “early bird” pitch:
- Demand curve. Westchester’s heating season typically runs October through March. Suppliers see demand — and often wholesale cost — begin climbing from September onward as households start thinking about winter. Locking in during the quiet summer months means you’re pricing before that curve moves. This pattern is consistent with seasonal heating-fuel demand cycles tracked regionally each year.
- Enrollment logistics. Automatic delivery scheduling, tank assessments, and account setup take time. Enrolling in August means your account, tank size, and delivery cadence are all confirmed well before the first cold night — not scrambled together during an emergency call.
What Does This Mean for a Typical Westchester Home?
A typical Westchester home uses somewhere between 600–1,000 gallons of heating oil per season, depending on home size, insulation, and thermostat habits (see our full usage breakdown: “How Much Heating Oil Does the Average Westchester Home Use?“). At Supreme’s current Pre-Buy rate, locking in early on an average 800-gallon season means budgeting a known, fixed total — with no exposure to a mid-winter price spike.
How Do I Get Started?
Enrolling takes a few minutes: enter your ZIP code and check for delivery availability and confirm. No obligation to guess at future prices – the rate you see is the rate you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pre-Buy the same as paying for all my oil upfront?
No. Pre-Buy locks in your price per gallon for the season. You’re billed as oil is delivered throughout the winter, not in one lump sum, unless you specifically choose a prepayment plan
What happens if prices drop after I lock in?
Your Pre-Buy rate stays fixed for the contract term. The tradeoff for price protection is that you won’t automatically benefit if the market drops — but you also won’t be exposed if it rises, which is historically the more common direction through peak season.
Can I switch plans mid-season?
Contact Supreme Oil directly to discuss your options — plan changes depend on your specific contract terms and timing.
Is there a minimum commitment for Pre-Buy?
Contact Supreme Oil for current minimum gallon requirements, as terms can be adjusted seasonally.
