If you are in the process of having a new home built there will be a need to specify the fuel source for your furnace. If you are buying an existing home, there may be a need to consider replacing the furnace. In either case, if you choose oil as your fuel source, you should consider a company that designs, supplies, repairs, maintains the heating system, as well as offer heating oil delivery.
During the lifetime of your furnace, you will need annual check-ups, routine maintenance and repairs. If you can establish a relationship with a company that offers the full range of services, you will be in a better position when it comes time for an emergency or if you run out of fuel and new an urgent heating oil delivery.
The company that you choose for Heating Oil Delivery also needs to have a host of payment options. If a company maintains a rigid set policy that all deliveries are made at spot prices, you will have no way to control your expenses over the winter. The dealer should offer pre-purchase plans and fixed price and capped price plans so that the consumer can choose what is best. Multiple options can also be good for the dealer as he can lock in business for up to a year.
Your dealer should be offering fixed pricing schemes which guarantee that the price you pay per gallon neither goes up or down. Capped pricing schemes are also attractive although the top end will usually be higher than fixed pricing because if the market price goes down, so does your purchase price, but if the market price goes up, your prices are capped.
Availability:
It is important that your heating oil delivery is rapid; this is of particular importance in the event you run out of fuel. A regional company should not be considered if they do not have a depot close to your area, otherwise you may suffer agonizing delays in getting your fuel. Everyone hopes that an emergency delivery will not be needed, but in the event it is, you will want to do business with a delivery company which is close and offers 24 hour a day, 7 day a week service.
Never set it up so that it is a fixed date delivery and do not work with a heating oil delivery service that only schedules deliveries if there are other customers in the area that have also ordered.
Last but not least, you will want to be assured that the dealer you chose has liability insurance. Although safety precautions are taken during delivery, there is always the potential of a spill or other mishap that you will not wish to pay for.
