At Superior Propane, caring for our customers is a top priority. Part of this care is ensuring you are informed and understand your propane price. We have included this information on our website to explain the factors that affect all energy prices and to provide you with some tips that can help you manage your energy costs. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our toll-free number 1-87SUPERIOR (1-877-873-7467).

Q: Does propane follow the pricing tendencies of other fuel sources?
A: Since propane is extracted from crude oil and processed from natural gas, the price of propane follows the price of these energy commodities – particularly the cost of crude oil. Overall, prices for crude oil and the cost of natural gas have experienced steady fluctuations over the last 12 months.

Q: Is the demand for propane seasonal?
A: While propane is produced year-round, the demand for propane is highly seasonal and causes inventories to increase when demand is low (usually in the summer) and decrease when demand is high (usually in the winter). When demand is high and inventories are low, the price tends to rise.

Q: Will there be shortages of propane in 2010?
A: At this point in time, there are no concerns from either the global market, or from Superior Propane, with respect to propane supply and demand. As the only national propane provider, Superior has supply security and continually balances how much propane we purchase, as it relates to the volumes our customers require.

Q: How is Superior helping customers meet the challenges of increasing costs?
A: To protect you from fluctuating prices, propane budget planning guesswork, and unexpected repair bills, Superior Propane offers our customers a Fixed Price Plan, appliance service plans, and monthly and automatic payment options.

Q: Can you tell me more about the additional fees on my invoice?
A: For more information on what fees Superior Propane has and why, click here.

Q: Does Superior Propane make more profit when propane prices increase?
A: No. Rising propane prices do not mean increased profits for our company. Superior Propane is a distributor of propane, not a producer. We buy propane from major producers and wholesalers, and resell it to our customers. When wholesale propane prices rise, we pay more to acquire the propane we need to serve our customers.

Q: What steps can be taken by consumers to guard against unpredictable prices or to lower energy costs?
A: There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and to lower your costs.

• If you are not on a regular delivery schedule, arrange to have your propane tank filled before the start of the heating season – don’t wait until your tank is empty.
• Talk to us about our Fixed Price Plan and convenient payment options. We can help you spread your projected annual cost of propane over several months, lowering the costs of seasonally higher bills.
• Inspect and tune-up your residential heating system regularly to make sure your system is operating as efficiently as possible. A properly working heating system can save you money. Superior does offer home heating system inspections.
• Talk to us about our Maintenance Service Plans designed to keep your appliances in tiptop shape, while protecting you from unexpected repair bills.
• Change your furnace filter monthly. Clean filters will help your heating system work more efficiently. If you are on a monthly payment plan, use the receipt of your propane bill as a reminder.
• Invest in a furnace thermostat timer that can save money by lowering your home’s temperature when you are not at home. Most of these are programmable and you can cut annual heating bills by as much as 10% by turning your thermostat back 10%-15% for eight hours each day.
• Switch to a propane water heater, which provides excellent energy efficiency. Propane water heaters recover hot water twice as quickly as electric water heaters. Call Superior Propane for more information or to purchase these energy saving devices.
• When using a water heater, turn it down from the standard 140 degrees to 130 degrees. You could save more than 10% on your water-heating bill.
• Increase your water heater’s efficiency by draining it every six months to remove lime deposits and sediment.
• Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can reduce hot water usage by up to 50% without affecting shower pressure.
• Run washing machines and clothes dryers with full loads. Switch to cold water when doing your laundry; 85-90% of the energy used to wash clothes is a result of heating water. Choose a propane dryer over an electric dryer – it is more energy efficient.
• Protect against drafts by caulking and weather-stripping around windows, doors and other openings such as ducts, fans and vents.
• Make sure your attic and basement are properly insulated. A lot of heat is lost through uninsulated or leaky basements and attics.

Q: Are there energy assistance programs available to Canadian consumers?
A: Limited assistance is available for consumers who qualify. Click on Energy Assistance in the left navigation to learn more about assistance programs you may qualify for.