Oil Questions

First let me say this is only our 2nd year using oil, and actually having to worry about paying anything LOL.

On with the questions...
When we moved in (we rent) our landlord said that we need to stick with her oil company. Since then, I had lost my job, and we are beyond struggeling with finances. She is very kind and understanding... so we're still Ok LOL. But, her company is sooo freakishly expensive!!

Last winter, keeping the heat at 65, we had FOUR $700+ oil delivery bills! And, that's NOT including the one time it went empty and the company coudln't get to us so WE had to pay addational out of pocket! Anyways, I recieved a phone call from the company to see if we are continueing using them. Do you think it's horrible to get at least ONE fill up from the cheapest company out there and pray it gets us through the winter..? Since this year we know to put plastic things on the window (whatever that's called HA) (Since the windows are super old and allour heat was going out the window) and we are also going to be using space heaters LOL.
We are of corse going to ask the landlord first about this, but just wanted other opinions as well... I dn't want to call her and seem like a total azz LOL. As per the oil company last year, we are never supposed to do any arrangements with them, it's ALLLL up to the landlord...so I dont' get why they called me...i wanna take advantage.

NEXT...
We never know how much oil we actually have. The gage has been broken since we moved in. When I asked the oil compnay how much it would be, they sorta just said it would be pricey and left it as that. Soo...yeah, thanks. LOL. Sooo, anyone have ANY idea how much it generally costs to get a new gage on the tank..? Or, if it can be done ourselves? (The cheaper the better) Our landlord is pretty cool and all, but when we ask for something, it takes forever to happen... so if we ask her to get on it, winter will be over by the time it gets taken care of, IF at all... ...

Thanks !!!

Re: Oil Questions

What company is she using? Petro? Some companies are expensive...I never get why. Does she have a contract with the company she picked? that may be why she forces you to use them.


Space heaters will run up your electric bill, I think.

She should be paying for the gauge, not you. Did you sign any kind of contract with her? If so, go back and see..

landlords typically pay for the services of the oil burners - the filter changing, etc and any other service

that sure sounds like a lot...700 four times?

How many bedrooms do you have?

I have used Dart and was always very happy...

what size gallon tank do you have?

Re: Oil Questions

Re: Oil Questions

hmm..well, usually the standard size tank is 275 gallons.. the oil company will probably know for sure.

here is a link i found on how to replace gauge - may help

that's so weird that it is that much money..wow. When I had oil, I think we filled it up once for the winter months and it was 600 bucks and lasted us way through winter...it was a new tank, though. I wonder if maybe since it is an old tank, that could be the issue?

Either way, paying what you paid last year is insane! I hope you can get something out of her. Maybe you can bring up to her what you paid last year and show her the receipts. That really sounds excessive.

Sometimes if you go into home depot or lowes and find a good & helpful associate, they can give you lots of tips and instructions on how to do things, like replacing that gauge. It doesn't sound too complicated.

I'd hate for you to pay that again this year!

Message edited 10/26/2010 11:21:10 PM.

Re: Oil Questions

I found this, too.. I wonder if you have a leak? Sounds like sometimes a leak may be a hidden issue sometimes.


"If you notice an unexplainable increase in your home heating oil use, your tank may be leaking. But that information alone is not always an accurate indicator. In some cases, water may leak into the tank or the leak may occur only when the tank is full, thus hiding the problem from the homeowner.

Odds are an underground tank 10 or 15 years old is probably not leaking, but the likelihood of a leak increases as the tank gets older."

source

Re: Oil Questions

Thanks for all your help. I figure, HOW would the oil compnay know if we used another company to say give us like 400 worth of oil? LOL. We personally do not have a contract with them, and since the landlord never made up a new contract, we really aren't going to be doing anything wrong... LOL
Yeah, I do NOT want to spend that much again... we were clueless last year, and had a newborn in Feb..so the heat even went up to 70 but still felt cold b/c of those windows. Already we have winterized the house and it feels so warm...hope it lasts all winter HA.

I will look into those links ya gave me when I'm more awake! THANS soooo much!!!!

Re: Oil Questions

Find out if she has a contract with them and what the story is. Do you know how much you paid per gallon at that time? Seems crazy. I think I paid $700 for the whole winter. Definitely talk your landlord, and turn the heat just a little bit lower if you can...

Re: Oil Questions

That really does sound like a lot for one winter.
Generally if she has a contract with an oil company they will come automatically to fill up (at least that is how mine is).
Is your tank underground? There may be a leak if you are going through that much oil. I would ask your landlord to have this checked out.

Re: Oil Questions

How much are you paying per gallon?

Re: Oil Questions

Thanks for all the responces everyone. We are going to attempt the change the gage this weekend. Sounds simple enough.. just a few screws, and it's under $20. Better then having to wait around for the oil compnay to come and prolly end up charging us like $150 or more...
Last we we paid 3 somthing per gallon. I don't remember the exact amount but I remember when I was telling my inlaws about it they were shocked at the price.

Re: Oil Questions

if your tank is underground and over 5 years- i would tell your landlord to have inspected by Nov. 15th - or I am payign someone and eductignt he maount from my Dec. rent - that is excessive

I had really high heating bills in an apt. and the landlord reimbursed me for part because - it was the windows fault - next year i had them pay to place the plastic over the windows

also - we only had oil for part of a year -i would call around on the day i needed oil and i would get prices that ranged - usually a $.75-1 difference per gallon

i had no loyalty but got good rates

Re: Oil Questions

Sounds like she knows the people who get you your oil and didn't sign a maintenance contract.

I would call that oil company and find out if they have a contract with your landlady.

Then if not, sign up with another oil co with a contract for maintenance.

I have a bigger house and my oil bills were not that high..high enough but it sounds like they have you by the balls.

Re: Oil Questions

if she has a contract with the company, you could run into problems gettign filled by someone else.

Also... if she has a contract then they might be responsible for repairing the gauge, you should defintely find that out. If not, then you landlord should be responsible for fixing it for you... you should not have to pay for that.

It seems insane that you have to use who she wants you to use if you are paying them directly.