What to Consider When Choosing a Heating Oil Provider

If you recently moved into a new home that uses heating oil, or if you are about to make the switch to an oil burning furnace or boiler, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose a heating oil provider in your area. There are quite literally hundreds of heating oil companies in New Jersey to choose from, so how do you know you’re getting the best for your home? Here are a few things to consider.

Automatic Delivery and Other Services

A good heating oil company does more than just deliver oil. Your heating oil company of choice should provide automatic delivery programs that ensure you never run out of oil. The last thing you want is to wake up on an icy January morning to see your tank is empty and you have to wait a day or two for the oil company to get out. The right company will not only track your oil deliveries but contact you when they feel it is time for a refill, or if you sign up for an automatic delivery program, visit your home at a set interval to provide oil.

Additionally, it is advantageous if your heating oil company can provide maintenance for your oil burning systems. Instead of having to hire a second HVAC company to visit and perform maintenance on your system, you can rely on your heating oil delivery company to come out whenever you have a problem and fix it - that number is right in front of you. It’s a lot easier and more reliable.

Low Rate Lock-ins

Different companies offer different specials and discounts, so find one that fits your specific needs, whether you are retired or a veteran or you will be paying automatically with electronic funds transfers. These can all result in discounts. Other options include flexible payment plans that allow you to pay the same amount each month throughout the year for a set amount of oil. While the amount may fluctuate year to year as the price of oil changes, this makes it a lot easier to pay your bills by splitting your fees up over 12 months instead of two or three very large payments in fall and winter.

There may be other offers as well. Make sure to check for things like hidden fees and always read the full terms of service to ensure the company will actually match your needs.

Finally, ask around. Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbors who they use to provide their heating oil. In New Jersey, a lot of your neighbors have oil-based heat, so you can almost certainly get a good idea of which company will best fit your needs based on the service provided to your neighbors. Ariba Oil has the pleasure of providing such service to thousands of homeowners throughout the region, so give us a call and ask to talk with one of our service specialists if you’re ready to learn more about the benefits of oil heating.