SUMMER 2009 Peninsula (757) 722-1928 • Williamsburg (757) 229-2877 • Gloucester (804) 642-2161 • Norfolk (757) 491-1928 • www.etlawson.com Personally Speaking Oil Prices Take a Turn for the Better Oilheat (and in E.T. Lawson’s case, Bioheat®) prices have become a lot more favorable in the last few months. Although the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) tells us that the price of crude oil (from which your heating fuel is derived) rose for the third consecutive month in May – driven in part by expectations of a global economic recovery and future increases in oil consumption – the $2.37 per-gallon national average of heating oil when this newsletter went to print is certainly a lot less than the $4.53 national average in July 2008. We all hope that the days of $140 per barrel crude oil are over. The EIA, in its June Short-Term Energy Outlook, states that crude oil prices, which averaged $99.57 per barrel in 2008, are projected to average $58.70 per barrel in 2009 and $67.42 per barrel in 2010. As always, energy price forecasts are highly uncertain, which brings us to our new saying for this summer: “When it doubt, pay it out.” With E.T. Lawson’s Payment Protection Plan, you can spread your estimated heating bill over 11 months. You pay no interest charge for this service. In fact, you receive a 5% discount for prompt payment. In the 12th month we settle up any remaining balances. In addition we pay interest at the rate of 5% on credit balances. In times of volatile energy prices it also makes sense to manage your fuel costs through conservation – whether that means upgrading your entire heating system or simply installing a programmable thermostat. This newsletter has several good ideas to help you achieve more value for your energy dollars – like new, super-efficient condensing equipment that qualifies for up to $1,500 in federal tax credits. While fuel costs are down, make them go even lower with your friends at E.T. Lawson. Warmly, Donald B. Allen, Jr. SUMMER 2009 Our Training Benefits You s you probably know, our technicians the National Oilheat Research Alliance of the home, advise customers on areA the nicest folks in the business. What (NORA), succeeded in turning our equipment needs, and diagnose home you may not know is that they undergo employees into goodwill ambassadors comfort problems, as well as provide rigorous training – so we can serve you for Bioheat®. Twenty-five E.T. Lawson efficiency recommendations. better! staffers were inspired and energized as they were trained about the future of • R.E. Michel Co., wholesale distributors Members of our staff take refresher Oilheat, the exciting new technologies of comfort equipment, recently ran courses in the newest service and and efficiencies that are just around air conditioning training programs installation techniques … attend burner the corner, and the best way to work regarding the new environmentally- school to stay up-to-date with the latest with customers in any situation. Sales friendly refrigerants, troubleshooting, combustion technology … and attend manager Bobby Allsbrook gave the and the latest energy-efficient motors. seminars given by the manufacturers seminar high marks. “We’re in customer of the equipment we sell and install. In service, not just in the Oilheat industry, • Five employees received certification addition, our technicians attend training and this is the right direction to take,” from RSES (a comfort industry training sessions sponsored by state and national he said. organization) for the safe handling of associations. air conditioning refrigerants. • Oilheat consultant Bob Hedden We’d like to highlight four recent instances headed technical training seminars Our investment in training means you in which our staff received special training: for our technicians to achieve their benefit by getting the most value for NORA Silver and Gold Certifications. your energy dollars. When we’re at our • “Heating the Way to a Brighter Technicians with these certifications best, your equipment runs at its best! Future,” developed by PriMedia for are able to provide systems analysis 2 Of Local Interest: The Emancipation Oak – Oilheat Is Green! a Symbol of Freedom How can a tree be an important part of Oilheat … eco-friendly? YES! history? It can when it is the Emancipation Oak, a sprawling symbol of freedom for You may never have thought of your home heating system that way – but it’s true! the people of Virginia – and all Americans. Oilheat is a green fuel that can save you greenbacks! Designated one of the 10 Great Trees of the World by the National Geographic Society 1. Home heating oil is biodegradable. and part of the National Historic Landmark district of Hampton University, this sprawling 2. Today’s Oilheat systems produce “near-zero” emissions into the atmosphere. oak is 98 feet in diameter, with branches extending upward as well as laterally, as if 3. New high-efficiency systems consistently produce more heat with less fuel – offering refuge. homes today use approximately 40% less fuel than in the 1970s. 4. Today’s Oilheat burns 95% cleaner than in 1970. 5. Low-sulfur fuels and biofuels, such as the Bioheat® we deliver, reduce what are already near-zero emissions. 6. Upgrading to new, cleaner burning equipment will further reduce heating system emissions that may lead to global warming. During the Civil War, nearby Fort Monroe remained in Union hands, and became a place of salvation for escaped slaves seeking asylum. Prior to the Civil War, and following the slave rebellion led by Nat Turner in 1831, Virginia law had been changed to prohibit Our Bioheat® Is Beneficial the education of slaves. Nevertheless, As you may know, E.T. Lawson was an innovator in bringing Bioheat to in 1861, Mrs. Mary Smith Peake taught our customers. A biodegradable, renewable combination of heating oil children of slaves under the tree, which Bioheat is not only good for your heating system, the was 3 miles outside of the protective safety and soybean oil, of Fort Monroe, and held night classes for environment, and America, but Virginia, too! adults. In 1863, the Virginia Peninsula’s black community gathered under this tree to Heating your home with Bioheat yields many benefits: hear the first Southern reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. • Domestically grown, it supports American agriculture and limits the amount of oil we import from foreign countries. In 1868, a school was founded at this location by General Samuel C. Armstrong, • With the highest BTU content of any renewable fuel, Bioheat known as Hampton Normal and Agricultural customers enjoy satisfying warmth. Institute. (As a point of interest, E.T. Lawson’s facility is located on General • No modifications are required to your heating system, and it is Armstrong’s farm.) One of its many students delivered the same way regular heating oil is delivered to your was the son of a former slave, Booker home. T. Washington, who became a famous educator. Hampton Normal and Agricultural • Bioheat costs about the same as Oilheat. Institute became Hampton Institute in 1930, and then Hampton University in 1984. • E.T. Lawson uses Bioheat produced from Virginia soybeans – every $1,000 of Virginia biofuels creates $2,000 - $3,000 of economic Today, E.T. Lawson customers can visit the activity in our state. campus to view this inspiring symbol of freedom, and consider the liberties we enjoy every day as citizens of this great nation. 3 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS Super-Efficient Condensing Units Both qualify for up to $1,500 in federal tax credits! Peerless Pinnacle Oil Boiler Kerr Paradigm Oil Furnace 93+% AFUE 95% AFUE The Peerless Pinnacle Boiler and Kerr Paradigm Furnace are among the most efficient oil-fired units you can buy. But don’t just take our word for it! E.T. Lawson is helping researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the United States Department of Energy gain understanding of the actual in-use performance of condensing units by testing them in our customers’ homes (see below). What is condensing technology? Condensing boilers and furnaces use the heat in the exhaust gases to make more heat, recapturing energy that might otherwise be lost. They are among the most efficient oil-fired units you can buy, and qualify for up to $1,500 in federal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. Peerless Pinnacle Condensing Kerr Paradigm Condensing Oil Boiler Features: Oil Furnace Features: • 93+% efficient, ENERGY STAR compliant • 95% efficient, ENERGY STAR compliant • Direct vent, sealed combustion • Electronically commutated blower • Two firing rates available motor reduces energy use • Multi-functional controls • Advanced electronic controls • Quiet operation • Significantly reduces heating costs • Slim design and small footprint • Lowers greenhouse gas emissions • Modulating blower motor, for increased comfort E.T. Lawson Receives Praise for Helping to Test This New Technology Roger J. McDonald, Oilheat Research Program Manager at Brookhaven National Laboratory writes to E.T. Lawson President Don Allen: “I would like to thank you very much for your continued cooperation in our current project to develop a strong Technical Foundation for Oil-Fired Condensing Appliances. … You have been leading the Oilheat industry in helping to make this new technology known to others in the industry. “I have analyzed the fuel delivery histories for the different customer accounts that you have sent and have found significant savings attributable to the installation of the condensing warm air furnace. The amount of energy savings ranges from 26 to 45 percent … when comparing the usage for at least a period of one year before and one year after the installation date. … The fuel savings shown from the analysis of the data you have provided are quite remarkable and indicate the significant benefits of installing high-efficiency oil-fired condensing warm air furnaces.” 4 SUMMER 2009 Save BIG on Your Electric Bills Easy tips to lower electricity costs throughout your home • Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® label.