Prepaid Heating Contracts

It sets a single price for the fuel you will use during the heating season, regardless of price swings. There is no way to know whether prices will rise or fall during the heating season; thus the pre-purchase of fuel can ultimately cost the householder more or less than would have been the case if there were no pre-purchase contract. A pre-buy contract is similar to an automobile insurance policy: When a policy is purchased, there is no guarantee that it will ever pay off; however, the cost of the policy might help avoid a much greater cost in the event of an accident or other loss in the future.

[A] simple, general overview of contract and basic consumer law ...

If you have problems with a fuel provider not living up to a contract, contact the NH Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau at 603-271-3641 1-800-468-4454, or through its Web site. For problems with natural gas, contact the Public Utilities Commission at 603-271-2431.

A home heating oil, kerosene, or liquefied petroleum gas dealer who offers prepaid contracts under RSA 339:79 shall register the dealer's intent to offer such contracts with the secretary of state by May 1 of each year and shall file an annual report with the secretary of state by December 1 of each year demonstrating how the dealer has satisfied the requirements of this section, including how the prepaid contracts are secured.