The smart move isn’t waiting for winter. It’s calling Combined Energy Services this month.
If you heat your home with propane in the Catskills, Hudson Valley, or the Poconos, you’ve probably already noticed: prices don’t stay put. They swing with the seasons, with supply, and with demand — and by October, when everyone suddenly needs fuel, the best deals are long gone.
That’s why thousands of local homeowners do something simple every summer: they call Combined Energy Services and lock in.
What Is a Propane Pre-Buy Program?
A summer pre-buy program lets you purchase your propane now — during the warm months when demand (and prices) are lower — and lock in a fixed per-gallon rate for the upcoming heating season.
Instead of watching prices climb as the leaves turn and panic-buying in January like your neighbors, you’ve already secured your supply at a predictable price. You budget with confidence. You sleep better. And when the first snowstorm hits, you’re set.
Pre-buy spots are limited and fill up fast. If you’re thinking about it, the time to act is right now — in June — before summer enrollment closes.
Who Is Combined Energy Services?
When you call Combined Energy Services, you’re not calling a national call center or a publicly traded corporation. You’re calling a Catskills family business — one that’s been your neighbor since 1968.
CES was founded over 55 years ago by the Taylor family, starting as a one-truck operation serving Sullivan County. Today, it’s run by the third generation of that same family — and it has grown into one of the largest independently owned propane and heating oil companies in the region.
That history matters. Three generations of the Taylor family have built CES on a simple promise: show up, be honest, and take care of people. That’s not a marketing line. It’s the reason thousands of customers across the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey have stayed with them for decades.
Local Offices, Local Knowledge, Local Deliveries
One of the biggest advantages of choosing CES over a national chain? They actually know your roads.
Combined Energy Services operates 7 regional offices and five local fuel storage facilities, which means they have the resources and the proximity to deliver reliably — even in the kind of weather this region is known for.
CES service locations include:
- Monticello, NY — Sullivan County headquarters
- New Hampton, NY — serving Orange County and the Hudson Valley
- Kerhonkson, NY — serving Ulster County
- West Nyack, NY – serving portions of Rockland County
- Dingmans Ferry, PA — serving the Poconos region
- Newton, NJ — serving Northern New Jersey
- Red Hook, NY – serving Dutchess County & operating as Freedom Propane
That footprint means a driver who knows your driveway, a dispatcher who knows the back roads, and a service tech who’s probably worked on your type of system before.
More Than Just Propane Delivery
CES delivers propane, heating oil, kerosene (limited availability), and diesel — but the relationship doesn’t stop at the tank. They also handle the equipment side:
- Installation and replacement of heating systems, boilers, and water heaters
- Propane conversions from fuel oil
- Gas fireplaces, stoves, and log sets
- Pool heaters and outdoor fire pits
- Backup generator propane supply
- Farm and agricultural propane (poultry brooder heaters, greenhouse heating, and more)
- 24/7 emergency HVAC service and repairs
- Smart tank monitors that alert CES automatically when you’re running low
They even offer a smartphone app and online account management — modern tools from a company that’s been in business longer than most of its customers have been alive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Propane Pre-Buy
When should I sign up for a pre-buy program? As early in summer as possible — ideally June or July. Enrollment windows close as allocations fill up. Waiting until August or September means fewer options and less savings.
How much propane does a typical Catskills home use per year? A typical propane-heated home in upstate New York uses between 1,000 and 1,400 gallons per year, depending on home size, insulation, and how cold the winter runs.
Is Combined Energy Services available in my area? CES serves Sullivan County, Orange County, Ulster County, Dutchess County, Rockland County and surrounding areas in New York, as well as parts of Eastern Pennsylvania and Northern New Jersey. Call or check their website to confirm delivery in your zip code.
What if I don’t use all the propane I pre-buy? Terms vary — call CES directly to ask about their specific pre-buy contract conditions, rollover options, and any caps or guarantees for the current season.
Does CES offer automatic delivery so I never run out? Yes. CES offers automatic delivery scheduling, smart tank monitoring, and budget plans so you’re never caught short — especially heading into a Catskills winter.
The Bottom Line
The Catskills are propane country. If your home runs on it, you already know that your costs are higher and your supply depends on local relationships more than pipeline access.
Combined Energy Services has been that local relationship for Catskills families since 1968. Three generations of the Taylor family. Seven offices. Fifty-five-plus years of showing up — in snowstorms, on weekends, and on short notice.
Summer pre-buy enrollment is open now, and spots won’t last all season. Call your nearest CES office or visit combinedenergyservices.com to lock in your rate before prices climb.
Serving the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Pocono Mountains, and Northern New Jersey.
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