BOSTON -- With demand down, the summer is usually the best time to lock in a home heating oil contract.

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But sky-high prices and a very volatile oil market have made dealers reluctant to offer them.

What will that mean for you when the temperature drops?

"What consumers are really looking towards in terms of winter is buying on the street price," said Mike Ferrante, president of the Massachusetts Oilheat Council. "When you need a delivery, you call your local oil heat dealer, and in many cases, it'll be whatever the price is that day because the market has fluctuated so much."

The statewide average on June 10 was $4.59 per gallon. Even though demand for home heating oil is considerably higher in the winter, the statewide average on January 1 was actually less --- just $3.32 per gallon.

No one can predict what the price will be this winter, but Ferrante suggested homeowners should start budgeting now for even higher costs.

"I don't care how much money you make every year," he said. "When the price of home heating oil or energy doubles, something changes in your household."

Watch this video for Ferrante's ideas for reducing your energy bill.