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CrazyGraceS
LIF Infant
Member since 1/09 129 total posts
Name:
Grace
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Oil heat questions
Hi everyone. I tried looking for past posts to answer my questions, but it was difficult.
We just closed on a house that has oil heat. I have no idea how this works! So I figured I would ask on here for help!
1. Do you lock in a rate now, or is there a special time of year to do this?
2. Do you pay a service charge to lock in a special rate?
3. Service contracts? Included or pay for service as needed?
4. C.O.D. fuel? benefits?
5. Any oil companies we should steer away from?
6. Any recommendations?
7. Balanced billing?
Thanks for all your help. I am sure I have other questions, but I am overwhelmed at this time.
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Posted 1/20/13 3:47 PM  |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Oil heat questions
We purchased in October '11, moved in November '11. You should have a full tank now so you do have a bit of time if you want to wait. Prices change pretty frequently. We started looking for oil companies maybe a month after we moved in? There isn't a set time. We ended up going with Petro b/c the previous owners used them so they did give us a discount. We locked in at a rate of $3.59 and that came with a service contract. I forget if it was included but I don't remember paying anything extra. They came to check everything with the tank and the boiler. Once the year was up, we locked in at $3.71 with them for this year. They came again to check out the tank and boiler - did a tune up. I believe it was included in our contract (DH dealt with all of this!). We are on balanced billing - $125/mo. I prefer paying less every month than a lump amount when we get a fill up.
I am pretty frugal when it comes to using the heat. I'd rather have a blanket and sweater on than put the heat above 68-69. We have a pretty efficient thermostat - Nest. I have an app for it on my phone so I can adjust it from the couch (hello lazy!) or from work if we are planning on not coming home at our normal time. We also do not keep our heat up at night or while we are at work (60 at night, 62-64 while at work).
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| Posted 1/20/13 8:56 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
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Oil heat questions
I would just get a fill up now ad then you can look around for the best rates. we use www.discount-fuel.com to get oil and we have alcus service the burner every year. We don't have a contract,but ou burner and tank are brand new. If you have an older burner you might want to get a contract
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| Posted 1/20/13 10:46 PM |
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CrazyGraceS
LIF Infant
Member since 1/09 129 total posts
Name:
Grace
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Re: Oil heat questions
I think I may just need to fill it up right now. They left 1/4 of a tank, so I will definitely have to fill it before we move in.
I will do more research when I have time.
It's so much easier having gas fuel.
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| Posted 1/21/13 10:33 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Oil heat questions
Posted by CrazyGraceS
I think I may just need to fill it up right now. They left 1/4 of a tank, so I will definitely have to fill it before we move in.
I will do more research when I have time.
It's so much easier having gas fuel.
I thought it was common practice for the sellers to fill up the tank before closing? 
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| Posted 1/21/13 11:56 AM |
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NoStressMom
My Heart and Soul
Member since 5/05 11122 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Oil heat questions
I would just do a COD right now get a fill up and then shop around. We only do COD and have a burner guy come and tune and vac it yearly. It works for us.
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| Posted 1/21/13 12:58 PM |
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Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
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Re: Oil heat questions
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by CrazyGraceS
I think I may just need to fill it up right now. They left 1/4 of a tank, so I will definitely have to fill it before we move in.
I will do more research when I have time.
It's so much easier having gas fuel.
I thought it was common practice for the sellers to fill up the tank before closing?
Our tank was nearly empty. We actually ran out the day after we moved in. Our seller wasn't the most considerate person.
To the OP: We signed with Petro and got a service contract. Next year I think we will try to go without a contract and just do COD. I know a few people who do that and it seems to save them some money.
We are doing balanced billing, it's just easier that way for us this year while we get a feel for what our monthly expenses will be (this is our first home).
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| Posted 1/21/13 1:00 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Oil heat questions
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by CrazyGraceS
I think I may just need to fill it up right now. They left 1/4 of a tank, so I will definitely have to fill it before we move in.
I will do more research when I have time.
It's so much easier having gas fuel.
I thought it was common practice for the sellers to fill up the tank before closing?
No you don't have to fill up. The seller gets a credit for what's left in the tank. So the buyer is paying for oil whether its in the tank or have to fill up.
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| Posted 1/21/13 1:09 PM |
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LoveMyFamily
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 418 total posts
Name:
Alyson
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Re: Oil heat questions
If you lock in at a good price, you can save a lot over discount-fuel. But, I closed in December and did discount-fuel (best COD prices IMO) until a neighbor told me of a good lock rate in July. Best time seems to be July and August, and you need to negotiate with them to get lower prices, or you'll get ripped off.
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| Posted 1/26/13 5:52 PM |
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CrazyGraceS
LIF Infant
Member since 1/09 129 total posts
Name:
Grace
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Re: Oil heat questions
Posted by AlyJD
If you lock in at a good price, you can save a lot over discount-fuel. But, I closed in December and did discount-fuel (best COD prices IMO) until a neighbor told me of a good lock rate in July. Best time seems to be July and August, and you need to negotiate with them to get lower prices, or you'll get ripped off.
This is what I was wondering - if there is a better time of year to lock in your rate. I used discount-fuel today, so we will see how long this tank lasts.
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| Posted 1/26/13 11:03 PM |
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rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
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Re: Oil heat questions
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by CrazyGraceS
I think I may just need to fill it up right now. They left 1/4 of a tank, so I will definitely have to fill it before we move in.
I will do more research when I have time.
It's so much easier having gas fuel.
I thought it was common practice for the sellers to fill up the tank before closing?
At closing, they do an estimate number of gallons in the tank and buyer pays going rate for the oil in it.
If it's filled, you will pay for it anyway...
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| Posted 1/27/13 9:02 AM |
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