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HeatPrice

Fixed-price contract

Lock one seasonal rate — no relief if prices drop.

Glossary termNo. 5 / 10
Category
Dealers & contracts
Fuel
Heating oil
Source
MA DOER

A contract that locks a single per-gallon rate for a set volume over the season — but, unlike a pre-buy, usually lets you pay on each delivery instead of all up front.


Like a pre-buy, it gives no protection if the market drops (you're stuck at the locked rate), and leaving early to chase a lower price typically triggers steep termination or liquidation fees.

Cross-references
Pre-buy
Prepay in summer, lock winter's price.
Ceiling price
The most a price-cap contract charges — never higher, sometimes less.