Frequently Asked Questions about Home Heating Oil on Long Island
Q: How soon can you deliver my discount fuel?
A: If you order before 9 a.m., we can deliver the same day to most locations on Long Island, weather permitting and operations permitting. If you order after 9 a.m., we can deliver the next day, also weather permitting and operations permitting. Under certain circumstances, it may take us 2-3 business days to deliver. If this is the case, we will notify you of delivery delays. We also offer same day delivery for Long Island and Queens, please call us if you need an emergency oil delivery.
Q: When is my payment due for my heating oil delivery?
A: You may pay by credit card at the time you place the order or you may pay at the time of delivery with a bank-certified check, money order, or cash.
Q: What payment methods do you accept for discount fuel delivery?
A: We accept cash on delivery, as well as Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover credit & debit cards, bank-certified checks, and money orders
Q: What is the current price of heating oil on Long Island?
A: We post our oil prices on our website for quick, easy access
Q: Are there additional fees?
A: No, Discount Fuel Inc. doesn’t charge extra fees. There is a 2.5% tax in Suffolk County. There’s no tax in Nassau County. There’s 4.5% tax in Queens NY.
Q: What is the minimum amount of discount oil I can order on Long Island?
A: Discount Fuel, Inc. delivers a minimum of 25 gallons.
Q: If the price of heating oil goes up before my delivery, will I pay the higher price?
A: We guarantee the quoted price from the moment you place your order. We will not increase the price after you’ve ordered.
Q: Do you make Emergency Deliveries?
A: Yes, please call if you need an emergency delivery, do not place an order online as it may not be processed immediately. We may apply an additional charge for emergency deliveries.
Q: Do I need to be home when you deliver my heating oil?
A: No, you don’t need to be home when we deliver your heating oil unless your fuel tank is not readily accessible.
Q: What if I ordered too much heating oil?
A: Discount Fuel Inc. will only charge you for the gallons we delivered to your fuel tank. We do charge lower prices for higher volumes. If your tank cannot accommodate the higher volume, then we will adjust the price per gallon for lower volumes. Your price per gallon may end up higher than quoted if you take less gallons than you ordered.
Q: Why did you deliver fewer gallons than I ordered?
A: We deliver less heating fuel than ordered when your tank can’t accommodate the gallons from the order. Heating oil tanks carry a “usable capacity,” which is less than the stated capacity of your tank. A 275-gallon tank carries a usable capacity of 256 gallons. Our heating oil drivers are required to stop pumping oil when the vent alarm warns them the tank is full. The remaining space accommodates spills and fuel expansion under warm temperatures.
Q: How can I cancel my order?
A: Please call us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your order. Our automated system dispatches orders immediately, and your delivery may already be on its way to your home. If another company fills your tank, and then we also attempt to fill your tank, it may result in an oil spill on your property.
Q: Isn’t heating oil more expensive than natural gas?
A: First, it’s important to know that gas prices are going up. But unlike home heating oil, natural gas just doesn’t seem to adhere to the old adage of “what goes up must come down.” Once the big utilities raise prices for natural gas, they almost never go back down again! Second, your local oil heat dealers keep heating oil prices as low as possible through good old fashioned competition and a variety of service options. In addition, they run small, local businesses and understand the value of superior customer service. A public utility just can’t match their dedication. Finally, consider the long term costs. Oil furnaces last significantly longer than other options, averaging 30 years compared to 15 years for a typical gas furnace. Moreover, a gallon of home heating oil produces more heat compared to a comparable amount of natural gas. In other words, your home heats up faster and stays warmer longer—which saves you money.
Q: When will “weather permitting” and “operations permitting” affect my heating oil delivery?
A: In the event of a major weather event, we will alert you prior to your placing an order as soon as we are aware of weather that will not permit heating oil delivery. Fuel oil delivery may also hampered by side effects of extreme weather that cause delays in operations. Circumstances outside the scope of our operations also may cause heating oil delivery delays.
A weather event that my cause oil delivery delays include:
- Severe rain, snow, sleet, ice, etc.
- Several days of cold temperatures increasing demand over a short period of time
- Snow and ice preventing delivery trucks from entering driveways and parking lots
Circumstances outside of our scope that delay our operations:
- Scarce oil fuel resources due to terminal closure, restricted access to terminal, terminal depleted oil reserves
- Mechanical breakdowns and malfunctions limiting our capacity to operate
- Labor movements, including work stoppages, work slowdowns, strikes slowing our operations
Q: How can I tell how much oil is in my tank (275 gallon oil tank)?
A: Heating Oil Quantity:
1/8 tank = 40 gallons
1/4 tank = 70 gallons
3/8 tank = 100 gallons
1/2 tank = 130 gallons
5/8 tank = 160 gallons
3/4 tank = 200 gallons
7/8 tank = 240 gallons
full tank = 265 gallons
Q: I’ve heard that oil heated homes are warmer than homes heated with natural gas. Is that true?
A: Oil heat burns 400 degrees hotter than natural gas, resulting in a cozier house that heats up faster. And because oil heat has a higher burn temperature, it provides a more even temperature in all rooms throughout the house. It’s no surprise that most people who convert to natural gas or electricity regret their decision.
Q: Is it true that oil supplies dwindling?
A: It is a myth that oil supplies are dangerously low. With over 36 oil-producing countries, the world’s oil reserves will last a long time. Moreover, we are not dependent upon any one nation for our supply. The U.S. is the third-largest oil producer in the world with 33 American states producing almost half of our supply.