On average, most people spend between $500 and $1,500 per month on heating their homes during the winter. It’s no wonder that consumers are always looking for ways to get the best possible heating oil prices.

A question that is commonly asked is whether it’s better to use automatic or on-demand oil delivery for your home heating needs. What’s the difference, and which one will get you the best fuel oil prices?

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Sperr’s Fuel works hard to ensure your home is fueled so your family stays warm.

We serve Glen Mills, Ridley Park, Swarthmore, and the surrounding areas.

Automatic vs. On-Demand Oil Delivery

When you arrange for residential oil delivery, you’ll need to choose between automatic or on-demand delivery. With the automatic option, you don’t need to monitor your fuel levels. Instead, the delivery company will help you determine the appropriate frequency and show up at pre-determined intervals.

In this case, the most common delivery frequency is every four weeks. There’s usually no additional delivery cost and you’ll only pay for the oil you need to get your tank back to the appropriate level.

With on-demand delivery, you’ll need to keep track of your fuel usage and call for delivery when needed. While some companies can deliver on the same day or the next day, others have a longer delivery time. This means you’ll have to stay on top of your needs to avoid being left in the cold.

How Automatic Delivery Affects the Price of Heating Oil

With about 5.5 million homes in the United States relying on home heating oil, it’s not surprising that many of them want to automate the process. Not only is this more convenient, but it also makes financial sense.

While on-demand delivery requires you to pay whatever the fuel oil prices are at the time it’s delivered, automated delivery spreads out your fill-ups. This helps even out the price you pay.

For example, when a big snowstorm is coming, there’s a good chance that everybody will call for fuel delivery. This will result in a price spike which can result in a huge bill if your tank is almost empty. If you’re on an automatic plan, it’s far more likely that you’ll just need a top-off, which will save you money.

You’ll also save up on additional fees and stress that can result if you need to call for a fill-up.

How On-Demand Delivery Impacts Your Heating Oil Prices

Most people opt for on-demand delivery because they want more control. If you’re willing to put in the effort, it’s often possible to track the current and potential future prices of heating oil. You’ll want to time your purchases so that you can save money.

For example, filling up your tank well before the colder months arrive could allow you to avoid an expensive winter fill-up.

This also helps you to avoid being locked into a long-term contract. However, there are some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. First and foremost, if you miscalculate, there’s a chance that you could run out.

Not only will this leave you with a freezing house, but if your tank gets too low, sediment and other “gunk” can settle into the bottom of your tank. It may also get sucked up into your furnace, creating problems like clogged fuel lines and filters.

Filling Up in Off-Season

The off-season for heating oil typically occurs between the months of April and September. Filing up your tank during this time can help lower your overall fuel spending. For this reason, you should plan to top off in the late spring or summer.

During this time, you can usually expect oil prices to remain steady or even decrease.

Buying in Bulk

What happens if your tank is already full during the inexpensive summer months? If you believe that the price of heating oil per gallon today is lower than it’s going to be in the future, then you may want to consider buying in bulk. Heating oil generally lasts for 18 to 24 months as long as it’s properly stored and treated, so this is a great way to stock up and save some money.

To take advantage of this, you’ll need to have a bulk oil tank to store it in. While this will require an initial investment, it’s often well worth it in the long run.

Fuel Delivery Budget Plans

If you don’t have the extra money to buy ahead of time or stock up, but you’re not comfortable with the idea of unexpected fuel costs, you do have another option. A fuel delivery budget plan uses your previous 12-months’ usage to estimate your fuel usage needs for the coming year.

Then, you can choose a budget plan that equally spaces out your payments over a 10, 11, or 12 month period.

Contact Us for Your Fuel Delivery Needs

Now that you understand how your delivery option impacts heating oil prices, you’re ready to decide which method is right for you. At Sperr’s Fuel and Heating, we provide both services, as well as a fuel delivery budget plan. We’re equipped to help you no matter which decision you make.

Contact us today to discuss your fuel delivery needs. For a limited time only, save $100 on your first 4 deliveries when you sign up for automatic delivery.