Big price drops hit heating oil market

Many people who signed up for their winter’s supply of heating oil in June or July are regretting the prices they agreed to. Big price declines have hit the market.

Below is a listing of average per-gallon prices of No. 2 home heating oil in the six New England states in July, versus the most recent available.

. Connecticut: $4.50 on July 15; $3.25 on Oct. 15.

. Maine: $4.71 on July 7; $3.08 on Oct. 20.

. Massachusetts: $4.71 on July 8; $3.14 on Oct. 21.

. New Hampshire: $4.74 on July 14; $3.34 on Oct. 20.

. Rhode Island: $4.75 on July 14; $3.25 on Oct. 14.

. Vermont, which reports monthly: $4.65 in July; $4.13 in September.