DOWNEY ENERGY | PO BOX 306, COLD SPRING, NY 10516
Spring 2017

845-265-3663
Celebrating a
Century of Service
After a long and fickle winter, spring is finally here! Spring is typically looked upon as a season of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal.
Those themes are especially important to us because 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of Downey Energy! Now in its fifth
generation, our family business is proud to be one of the longest running home comfort suppliers in the Hudson Valley region, and we
couldn’t have done it without you, our loyal customers. It’s the trust and loyalty of families like yours that have led to a century of
success for Downey Energy.
How can we even begin to thank you for that?! The truth is words really can’t describe how grateful we are, so instead of simply saying
“Thank you” over and over again, we make it a point to actually show you our appreciation. Downey does that with our Referral
Rewards program, which offers a $50 company credit or $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant for each new customer you send
our way. We also do it with our Downey Dollars Loyalty Rewards Program offering free fuel, service plans and more.
Finally and most importantly, we show our appreciation by providing you with what we hope to be the best overall customer experience
possible. That means helping you however, whenever, and wherever we can, then following up to ensure you’re getting the quality
of service you deserve. And yes, it also means saying once again, “Thank you.” It’s been a pleasure serving our neighbors these past
100 years, and we hope to do so for 100 more. As our landmark anniversary continues
in 2017, look for announcements about our centennial celebration taking place
this summer. You’ll find information in upcoming issues of The Talk Downtown
and on our website. We have some great things in store for the rest of the year.
Please keep reading for some valuable home comfort tips, go to DowneyEnergyNY.com
or mail back the enclosed reply card for more info, and call 845-265-3663 to speak
with someone who can help. We’re here for you – 100 years, and 100%!
Sincerely,
Cary J. Downey
And Now a Word from Our Customer
Paul Rambusch has seen a lot. He
started working at 14 years old; spent
nine years in the U.S. Air Force, including
a stretch in Germany after WWII; and
went on to serve as a large mainframe
technician for the very companies
that helped shape today’s digital age,
like IBM. But a $6 gallon of propane?!
Well, even for Mr. Rambusch, that was
something new.
Lo and behold, that’s the price Paul’s
last propane supplier tried to charge
him. Six bucks for a gallon of fuel is
insane enough to begin with, but when
you rely on that fuel for your heating,
cooking, laundry and hot water, paying
that much is simply unimaginable. No
wonder when asked what sets Downey
Energy apart from the competition, Paul
replies bluntly, “They don’t rip you off
on price!”
If it was our price that brought Paul to
Downey, it’s our quality service and
response time that’s kept him satisfied
since we installed his tank over a year
ago. “The people are just so nice,” Paul
explains. “I call and say, ‘Hey, I’m down
to 45 percent,’ and they show up the next
day, even if it’s a Sunday.”
Paul and his wife of 56 years, Sue, have
two children and five grandchildren,
so they know how important it is to be
there for your people. We’re proud to
be there for Paul and Sue Rambusch
whenever they need us, and happy to
serve them like family.
One Hundred Years of Home Comfort History
Although we pride ourselves on staying at the cutting-edge of the home comfort industry, Downey Energy is a
company that’s steeped in history. We’ve been passing the torch of innovation for five generations and upholding
a tradition of best-in-class service for a century. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, here’s a look back at
some other important dates in our company’s history:
1917: Jeremiah V. Downey
1928: Jeremiah R. Downey, son
of Jeremiah V. Downey, joins the
opens his business on 21 Church
business as a partner. He continued
Street in Cold Spring, NY in
to work with the Company until
April, 1917. The Company
1980 – a total of 52 years!
offered heating and plumbing
services, sheet metal work, and 1923: Downey purchases its first
roofing (tin and slate roofs).
company truck – a Ford Model T.
burner on Lewis Lane in nearby Garrison,
NY. Joseph Landolfi joins Downey.
Mr. Landolfi would be part of the
Downey team until his retirement in
1974, giving him a total of 44 years of
service with the Company – all of them
working with Jeremiah R. Downey.
Business continued with different employees through the 1920s. In the early days, Mr. Downey
relied on a horse & wagon, or would travel by train to service accounts in nearby Garrison.
1963: The Company is
incorporated as Jeremiah R. Downey
Oil Corporation. Downey continues
to offer heating and plumbing
service for homes and businesses,
and now installs water lines and offers other commercial
services. Downey also begins offering 24/7 service.
1935: Company
1930: Downey installs the first oil
1957: Major oil companies
discontinue home fuel delivery.
Downey purchases its first fuel
delivery truck. Lawrence J.
Downey graduates college and
begins working for the company.
founder Jeremiah V.
Downey passes away
in February. Jeremiah
R. Downey takes the
reins as President.
The Company moves
from Church Street to
Chestnut Street.
In the 1930’s, Downey begins
installing gas stoves and
delivering propane cylinders.
1955:
Downey moves
from Chestnut
Street to its
current location
on Route 9D in
Cold Spring.
1947: Jeremiah R.
Downey’s son joins
the firm, staying until
1950 when he took
employment at the U.S.
Military Academy.
Up until 1957, home oil deliveries were made by major oil companies like Standard Oil (which would become ExxonMobil) and Sunoco.
In the early 1980s, Jeremiah R. Downey’s grandson Peter joins the company. He continues to work here today.
1985: Lawrence M. Downey Jr. joins
2008: Downey
the Company and stays until 1989, when
he starts a plumbing supply business in
Poughkeepsie, NY.
Oil launches its first
company website.
1989: Cary J. Downey joins the Company as a
delivery driver. He currently serves as President.
2011: Now offering Oilheat,
propane and diesel, the Downey
Oil Company changes its
name to Downey Energy and
introduces the Downey Dollars
Loyalty Rewards Program and a
number of new online services.
2016: Downey Energy introduces its new newsletter,
The Talk Downtown, along with a new Referral Rewards
program and a mobile-friendly website, DowneyEnergyNY.com.
2017: Downey Energy celebrates 100 years
serving our neighbors in the Putnam County area.
Downey: Part of Cold Spring History
Founder Jeremiah V. Downey was a member of the Board of the Village of Cold Spring and
was instrumental in forming Cold Spring Village Park. Mr. Downey’s foresight and persuasive
arguments were critical in the acquisition of the Village Park at the riverfront.
Jeremiah R. Downey was a councilman and supervisor on the Board of the Town of Philipstown
from 1944 through 1969. He was instrumental in getting the first zoning laws in place in the town
in 1957. He also played an important role in preventing Con Edison from purchasing the Cornish
Estate. With the support of the Town Board, he convinced Governor Nelson Rockefeller to
purchase the Cornish Estate, Sandy Beach, and the Breakneck area to turn into a state park.
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2013: Cary J. Downey
starts the Company’s
propane division,
including home
delivery and service.
A Century
of Savings
Downey has been the friendly, fair choice
for home comfort for the past 100 years.
Your comfort, safety and satisfaction are
our top priorities. Here are just some of
the ways you can save with Downey:
Referral Rewards Program
Product Spotlight:
WESROC
Tank Monitor
®
Did monitoring the fuel level of your oil storage
tank weigh heavy on your mind last winter?
Keep you up at night in the cold weather
months? If so, say goodbye to sleepless
nights and hello to sweet dreams with the
security of the WESROC Tank Monitor.
Do you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who is in need of a home
comfort provider? Refer them to Downey Energy and we’ll reward you for
sharing our services with the people you care about. For each person you
recommend who signs on as a Downey customer, you'll earn $50 in Downey
credit or a $25 gift certificate to one of five great local restaurants. Give the gift
of dependable home comfort service to someone you know! Simply fill out and
mail back the attached reply card.
This battery-powered device is magnetically
mounted to your fuel tank and checks the tank
level every minute to ensure there is enough
oil or propane inside. The tank monitor
continuously tracks your fuel supply and as
soon as it hits a certain threshold, an alert is
sent to Downey Energy, notifying us that it’s
time for a fill-up. This is especially useful for:
Downey Dollars
sometimes unoccupied are most prone to
heating outages and frozen pipes. That’s
because inconsistent heating system usage
makes it tough to predict when a fuel delivery
will be needed. WESROC takes care of
this problem and protects your home away
from home.
If you are a current Downey Energy customer, you can
start earning Downey Dollars for every dollar you spend,
plus receive valuable bonus Downey Dollars for utilizing
Loyalty Rewards Program
participating programs. You can redeem your Downey
Dollars for many of our products or services, or choose from gift certificates to
popular local restaurants. Sign up today, or login to access your account.
Price Protection Programs
Downey Energy offers five options for protecting your fuel prices. Get the fuel
you need your way!
Upgrade & Save Hudson Valley Rebates
Earn money for upgrading your equipment! For a limited time you can get $500
for installing a Higher-Efficiency, Oil-Fired Boiler or Oil-Fired Furnace or $250 for
installing a new Aboveground Oil Storage Tank. A new, high-efficiency heating
system can reduce your annual energy costs by as much as 40 percent.
Oilheat and Propane Service Plans
A Downey Energy service plan delivers the essential protection that every
New York home needs during our harsh winters. It combines the preventive
maintenance your system needs to run reliably and efficiently with a pledge of
24-hour emergency service and valuable cost savings in the event of a repair.
We offer three different Oilheat plans and two propane plans to meet the
needs and budget of any family.
And More!
Visit DowneyEnergyNY.com/specials regularly and check out the coupons
on page 4 of this newsletter to see new promotions and specials. Let the
savings begin!
Winter Homes – Homes that are
Rental Properties – Did you know
that by New York City law, from October 31
to May 31 – a period designated as “Heat
Season” – landlords are required to make sure
that between 10 PM and 6 AM, the inside
temperature of rented living space must be at
least 55°F whenever the outside temperature
falls below 40°F, and between 6 AM and 10
PM, the inside temperature must be at least
68°F whenever the outdoor temperature falls
below 55°F. Why risk a heavy fine when you
can keep your tenants warm and happy?
Dual-Fuel Homes – Downey Energy
supplies some customers both heating oil
and propane. Since dual-fuel usage can
complicate your delivery schedule, and since
propane can be used for so many different
applications, we recommend that you have
Downey track your usage with a WESROC
monitor in order to prevent a run-out from
occurring.
Elderly Homeowners – Negotiating
staircases becomes more difficult and
dangerous as people get older. The WESROC
monitor eliminates the need to make
unnecessary trips down to the basement.
To find out more about WESROC remote tank
monitoring, visit DowneyEnergyNY.com or
call (845) 265-3663. We’ll be happy to show
you exactly how it works and can have it
monitoring your fuel in no time!
3
ENJOY THE S.H.E.E.R. BENEFITS OF PROPANE
Propane is one of the most versatile sources
of energy, and is a key fuel source for many
households in our area. It’s no wonder! Propane
is a clean-burning natural resource used by
millions of people on a daily basis. As your friendly
source for home comfort since 1917, Downey
Energy delivers the fair, competitive pricing and
unmatched service that helps our customers get
the most out of their energy dollar. We’re proud to
extend that value to propane, and help you bring
its S.H.E.E.R. benefits into your home!
Downey Energy is here for all your propane
needs. And with a 100-year history of dependable
customer service, Downey delivers peace of mind
you can count on. Contact us today and enjoy the
S.H.E.E.R. benefits of propane!
S
H
E
E
R
afe: Propane is a clean, non-toxic fuel that
doesn’t contaminate groundwater or soil.
Propane tanks can be safely buried underground.
igh-Performance: Propane can easily fuel any
of today’s amenities, from home heating systems
and fireplaces to pool heaters and grills. Propane
helps you reduce energy costs while increasing comfort.
conomical: Propane appliances are energy-efficient and can help local
homes and businesses cut hundreds of dollars from their annual energy costs.
nvironmentally Friendly: Under the Clean Air Act of 1990, propane is a
low-carbon alternative fuel that produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas
emissions than most other energy sources.
eliable: Propane is a proven energy source homeowners can count on in
any weather.
DOWNEY ENERGY
PO BOX 306
COLD SPRING, NY 10516

COUPON CORNER
50,000 Downey Dollars
When You Switch to
Automatic Delivery
Redeem Points for Downey Discounts
or Restaurant Gift Certificates
4
Newsletter by
1-800-796-3342 • www.primediany.com
$50 Downey Credit OR
$25 Restaurant Gift Certificate
Refer a Friend, Neighbor,
Co-Worker or Family Member
Earn One Credit OR Certificate for
Each New Referral Customer