We understand that keeping your family warm during the winter months is one of your highest priorities.
If you have already been contacted by your fuel supplier for new delivery arrangements, it is wise to compare prices from this year to last year. Doing so can help save you money on fuel in this constantly changing industry.
If you plan on choosing a new fuel provider, you’ll want one that is reliable and reasonably priced. To make the process easier, we have complied eight ways to choose a fuel delivery service.
1. Reliability
You don’t want to run out of oil suddenly. If you have signed up for an automatic fuel delivery service, you expect to receive oil when you’re supposed to. But how do you know whether your provider is going to be reliable with their automatic deliveries?
A crucial first step in this process is to contact them and ask for the exact terms of their automatic delivery service. You should ten ask for references and check in with at least three of their clients to see how they liked their experience.
2. Maintenance
You’ll want to sign up with a fuel delivery company that offers maintenance and support to your home heating equipment. Not all do and if your heater suddenly breaks down, you could find yourself in a situation with no heat.
It is advised that you check to see if your heating supplier offers equipment maintenance so that you can be sure you will never have a broken down heater.
3. Special Offers
Many fuel delivery services will make special offers that could lower the price per gallon.
While this can make the contract cheaper, companies will sometimes charge hidden delivery fees that might outweigh the savings of the offer. You should make sure to check the terms of the offer to ensure you are getting the best deal.
4. Discounts
Another way to estimate the value of a fuel provider is to take their discounts into account.
With careful planning, you might be able to utilize a few of them to get the best price. For example, discounts for seniors or new customers can sweeten the deal considerably.
5. Location
If the company you are using is local, changes are you can expect a more convenient and affordable experience.
Nearby companies will also likely have local customers which should make checking references easier on you.
6. Safety and General Standards
When trucks are transporting several gallons of fuel, it is important that they are abiding by all federal safety rules and that their staff is well-trained and prepared.
Contact the company to ask about its safety record and health and safety policies.
7. State of Their Fleet
A good indication of a company’s general standards can often be revealed by looking at their vehicle fleet.
You should ask yourself; are they well equipped and up to standard? How old is their equipment? An excellent delivery service should have nothing to hide, and their customer service team should be happy to answer your questions.
8. Are They Easy to Contact and Work with?
Remember, when it comes to timely delivery of fuel for your home or business, you will want to work with a reliable team that can easily be contacted at any time and has a good process for handling issues and complaints.
A good delivery service will work with you and provide several payment options and plans, listen to your needs, and determine the best plan for you.
Trust your gut on whether interactions with the company feel right – there is a good chance you’ll be in touch with them again and should be able to trust their team.
Ready to Pick the Right Fuel Delivery Service for You?
We hope the tips above help you get a head start in choosing your fuel delivery service this year.
We hope you consider Sperr’s Fuel for your residential and commercial fuel needs in Southern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware. We offer an HVAC service to keep your property warm all year round. Get in touch and tell us what you need. We’ll be happy to answer your questions!
