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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
I recently switched from Slomins to General w/Heat USA last month.
Had my first General delivery on January 8th for 180 gallons. Fine that was for a few months worth.
I just got another ticket/bill in my mailbox. They delivered again today... and they say they put 132 gallons in!!!!
That is only 22 days worth! 6 gallons a day. Normally in the heart of winter I average between 3.5 and 4.0 gallons a day usage. This ls almost double!
I am going to walk outside to check the fuel gague to make sure they didn't put oil in my neighbor's tank.
But I am just trying to figure out how I went through so much oil. I have been heating the house a little more than usual. But never this kind of usage.
Thank god this bill was only $2.229 a gallon, and I have a $50 gift card that Heat USA sent me. Last bill in January I think was $2.23 a gallon. But still... this is crazy usage.
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Posted 2/2/09 7:27 PM  |
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MrsSchwags
Soccer Baseball Lax Mom
Member since 10/05 11240 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
The only thing I can say is keep in mind that January has been very cold and snowy compared to normal.
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| Posted 2/2/09 7:35 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by MrsSchwags
The only thing I can say is keep in mind that January has been very cold and snowy compared to normal.
Yeah. I also had to drain and fill my hot tub twice with warm water in the last two days because I botched the first tub drain. 500 gallons of hot water each time so that can explain part of it, also gonna expect a fat water bill.
I am definitely going to watch the next bill though. When my pipes froze last year I had to run my hot water for 4 hours straight. I didn't recall this kind of usage (was around 4.5 gallons per day during that period).
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| Posted 2/2/09 7:38 PM |
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
That is actually why we left General. They come every single month, even if you don't really need a fill yet. We got bills all the time.
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| Posted 2/3/09 6:57 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by JessicaluvsCharles
That is actually why we left General. They come every single month, even if you don't really need a fill yet. We got bills all the time.
It doesn't bother me that they come often. Hell I wouldn't care if they came every two weeks. I could never understand why people would complain about an oil company coming often. It's no different than filling your car tank either twice a month when it hits 'E', or four times a month when its at a half tank. You still pay the same in the end.
I actually PREFER they come often in the winter. I am only paying for actual usage so it's not like I am "getting ripped off" by them coming more often.
Because they come often, I was able to identify my usage pattern quicker. This is a GOOD thing. If they waited a few more weeks, I would have gotten whacked with a huge bill. At least now I can adjust my usage and try to save some.
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| Posted 2/3/09 8:05 AM |
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skew
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 6794 total posts
Name:
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by JessicaluvsCharles
That is actually why we left General. They come every single month, even if you don't really need a fill yet. We got bills all the time.
really? i have been with general for 3 yrs and they only fill about 3 - 4x a year.
to the OP, call the company and inquire about the oil usage.
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| Posted 2/3/09 8:57 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by skew
really? i have been with general for 3 yrs and they only fill about 3 - 4x a year.
to the OP, call the company and inquire about the oil usage.
I thought about calling them, but what am I really going to say? I think I used less oil than you delivered?
They will most likely respond with one of the following:
"You used more oil because it has been colder out and you used more heat"
"Your boiler suks because it's inefficient"
"There is nothing we can do about that"
This is no different than people who say their electric bills were way too much. If the meter says you used the electric, the fact is you used the electric. At least with electric you could have a faulty meter. But with oil, if you can put the oil in the tank, you can put the oil in there.
With that said, like a PP said it has been EXTREMELY cold out. I don't think I remember a colder stretch like the one we had. It was like every day we had temps in the 20s. And I also had those two hot tub fills.
I guess I should just be happy I am getting oil on the cheap, and not at the $3-4 a gallon that some people are paying.
Message edited 2/3/2009 9:21:45 AM.
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| Posted 2/3/09 9:20 AM |
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hotelcalie
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 1392 total posts
Name:
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
I just got a delivery yesterday for 122gallons..the delivery prior was on 1/6, so about a month ago. I too was surprised we used that much but I guess with the cold weather we used more. The cycle prior was also approx 1 month also and we only used 99gallons that time. This is only our 3rd delivery (just moved in in Nov) so not sure if this pattern is normal??
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| Posted 2/3/09 9:20 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by hotelcalie
I just got a delivery yesterday for 122gallons..the delivery prior was on 1/6, so about a month ago. I too was surprised we used that much but I guess with the cold weather we used more. The cycle prior was also approx 1 month also and we only used 99gallons that time. This is only our 3rd delivery (just moved in in Nov) so not sure if this pattern is normal??
So you averaged over 5 gallons of oil per day. Looking at the pic of your house, it seems like your house isn't that much bigger than mine is.
Thanks for posting this. Looks like the norm I suppose.
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| Posted 2/3/09 9:23 AM |
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skew
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 6794 total posts
Name:
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by ave1024
Posted by skew
really? i have been with general for 3 yrs and they only fill about 3 - 4x a year.
to the OP, call the company and inquire about the oil usage.
I thought about calling them, but what am I really going to say? I think I used less oil than you delivered?
They will most likely respond with one of the following:
"You used more oil because it has been colder out and you used more heat"
"Your boiler suks because it's inefficient"
"There is nothing we can do about that"
This is no different than people who say their electric bills were way too much. If the meter says you used the electric, the fact is you used the electric. At least with electric you could have a faulty meter. But with oil, if you can put the oil in the tank, you can put the oil in there.
I agree that they probably cannot offer much assistance. Thought you were questioning the usage, that is why I suggested contacting them. Guess you are moreso surprised.
Glad you got such a great price!
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| Posted 2/3/09 9:54 AM |
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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
We have General via HeatUSA for the past couple of years and typically get 4 deliveries per heating season. First one in Oct, next early Jan, then Feb and finally one in April. The April fill up lasts until Oct and we start all over again.
We have a 1600sq/ft Levittown cape and our hot water runs off the boiler. 2 zone Peerless boiler/Riello burner is ~6 years old & 80% efficient I think. 3 adults taking showers daily, no hot tub. Heat is typically only on in morning when getting ready for work then at night when we get home. Weekends its on all day when we are home.
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| Posted 2/3/09 10:06 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by mamochk
We have General via HeatUSA for the past couple of years and typically get 4 deliveries per heating season. First one in Oct, next early Jan, then Feb and finally one in April. The April fill up lasts until Oct and we start all over again.
Did you happen to read the HeatUSA bulletin they put on their website yesterday?
They announced "Huge Oil Price Savings Coming! On average .08-.09 cents a gallon starting TOMORROW".
Makes me wonder how convenient it was for them to deliver yesterday before the new prices take effect. 
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| Posted 2/3/09 10:21 AM |
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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Ugh... really? No, I didn't see that. I just got a delivery late last week!
I've always felt I've gotten an ok price from HeatUSA, nothing spectacular. Last year was rough with +$4/gallon oil my April fillup cost close to $1000  I don't like to use balanced billing.
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| Posted 2/3/09 10:35 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by mamochk
Ugh... really? No, I didn't see that. I just got a delivery late last week!
I've always felt I've gotten an ok price from HeatUSA, nothing spectacular. Last year was rough with +$4/gallon oil my April fillup cost close to $1000 I don't like to use balanced billing.
I don't use balanced billing for anything (heating or electric). Hate it. I like to know what I used, when I used it.
The bulletin is on their website heatusa.com.
The first delivery I got from General was convenitnely .15 cents more per gallon than I thought it would be. I called General and told them this is too much based on the current crude oil barrel price. They asked me "how do you know... are you an expert?". LOL I told them "I just know".
Low and behold I call HeatUSA and they said my price on that delivery should have been .15 cents cheaper. General conveniently didn't give me the Heat price. Second delivery had the correct price though (as I called Heat to verify - and will be calling Heat after every delivery to verify from now on). 
I had Slomons previously and while they offered me a decent rate lock (could have gotten $2.39 with them)... I decided to wait it out. I may eventually go back with Slomins though. We'll see.
Message edited 2/3/2009 10:40:05 AM.
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| Posted 2/3/09 10:39 AM |
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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by ave1024
Low and behold I call HeatUSA and they said my price on that delivery should have been .15 cents cheaper. General conveniently didn't give me the Heat price. Second delivery had the correct price though (as I called Heat to verify - and will be calling Heat after every delivery to verify from now on).
Thanks for the suggestion. I definitely need to call HeatUSA after my fillups to see if I'm getting the discounted rate. Do I check the price of crude from the day before a delivery to know if I'm getting the correct price?
Message edited 2/3/2009 10:52:40 AM.
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| Posted 2/3/09 10:52 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by mamochk
Posted by ave1024
Low and behold I call HeatUSA and they said my price on that delivery should have been .15 cents cheaper. General conveniently didn't give me the Heat price. Second delivery had the correct price though (as I called Heat to verify - and will be calling Heat after every delivery to verify from now on).
Thanks for the suggestion. I definitely need to call HeatUSA after my fillups to see if I'm getting the discounted rate. Do I check the price of crude from the day before a delivery to know if I'm getting the correct price?
The price of crude barrels really don't determine the exact amount you pay per gallon. But I use the crude barrels as an approximate as to what I should or expect to pay.
The only way to know is to just call Heat on the day you get a delivery and get the price from them.
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| Posted 2/3/09 11:22 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
I got a delivery Friday and the last one was on Dec 29. I took over 200 gallons. It was a very cold january.
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| Posted 2/3/09 11:35 AM |
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quasi3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 1764 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
i had a similiar problem. I had 100 gallons delivered on friday and my tank only increased by 8 inches..... 100 gallons usually brings me to atleast 15 inches more. ( we have an underground tank, and have to use a stick to measure...)
Dh and myself are like , how is this possible?
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| Posted 2/3/09 12:03 PM |
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princess99
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3944 total posts
Name:
ME
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
How old is your equipment- tank and burner?
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| Posted 2/3/09 1:42 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by princess99
How old is your equipment- tank and burner?
It's old. But I have been monitoring my oil usage ever since I bought the house. I have a copy of every bill with how many gallons delivered for the past three years. So I have built up quite a baseline to judge my usage. I can almost predict what my bills will be.
Even if my burner is old, you don't go from 3.5 gallons of oil a day one year to 6.0 the next unless something major happens.
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| Posted 2/3/09 2:54 PM |
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BlueDiamonds
mommy to 3 boys
Member since 2/07 3885 total posts
Name:
proud mommy
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by ave1024
Posted by princess99
How old is your equipment- tank and burner?
It's old. But I have been monitoring my oil usage ever since I bought the house. I have a copy of every bill with how many gallons delivered for the past three years. So I have built up quite a baseline to judge my usage. I can almost predict what my bills will be.
Even if my burner is old, you don't go from 3.5 gallons of oil a day one year to 6.0 the next unless something major happens.
this sounds like something i would do. do you keep track of average outside temps too?
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| Posted 2/3/09 4:04 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
Posted by BlueDiamonds
this sounds like something i would do. do you keep track of average outside temps too?
No but I can get those when I log into the LIPA website and check out my account.
Average temps can also probably be found on the internet.
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| Posted 2/3/09 5:35 PM |
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princess99
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3944 total posts
Name:
ME
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Re: How did I use 132 gallons in 22 days ???
I had this happoen to me a few yrs ago, and my oil tank and burner were going thru oil like crazy and not to scare you , we had a puff back. It was one of the scariest things I ever went thru. I would really replace the old one if you can , you get tax credit and they are more efficient, and if something was to go wrong, it shuts down automatically. Just my opinion-
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| Posted 2/3/09 8:42 PM |
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