Winter Fuel Delivery Dos and Don’ts

Stay Safe and Prepared No Matter What the Weather Brings!

We’re proud to say our delivery drivers are the best on the road—and they’re out there in all kinds of weather to ensure you stay comfortable. During the winter season, they must deal with hazardous conditions, especially when there’s snow and ice on the ground, to make sure you get your heating oil or propane delivery when you need it. Maneuvering with a heavy hose while navigating slippery surfaces can be challenging!

But there are ways you can make fuel deliveries safer for our drivers—both before and after big storms—so they can get their work done efficiently and get to everyone quickly.

Being Ready For A Heating Oil or Propane Delivery

Make sure to follow some of the tips below:

1. Do clear a path to your fill pipe after a snowfall. Make sure it’s about a foot wide and free of debris and branches, too.
2. Don’t forget to mark the location of your underground tank so it’s easy to find over snowbanks and drifts. Use a pole topped with a bright-colored flag or wide ribbon if needed.
3. Do keep in mind that our trucks need a 9- to 10-foot-wide path to maneuver safely on your driveway—and we cannot deliver fuel if your driveway isn’t plowed and free of ice. Remember, just because you can get your car down your driveway doesn’t mean our 15-ton fuel truck can make it!
4. Do mark the edges of your driveway to make it easier to navigate, especially on steep grades.
5. Don’t let snow, ice, or fallen leaves block your vents. Your heating system won’t work effectively. It also increases the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
6. Do check for downed trees, branches, and power lines that may obstruct access to your equipment.
7. Don’t wait until the last minute to call for a delivery. If you’re a will-call customer who phones in your order, keep an eye on your tank and schedule a delivery when your tank is no less than a quarter (25%) full. That ensures we have time to get to you before you run out!
8. Do sign up for free automatic delivery service. You can cross “order fuel” off your to-do list with this FREE, convenient service options.

Protect Your Family, Too.

We’ll make sure you have fuel to keep your home and family warm. But there are a couple additional steps you can take when winter weather and dangerous cold is in the forecast.

• Test your carbon monoxide detectors at the start of the heating season. With windows shut tight and the heat on, winter is the most dangerous time when it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations and change batteries if needed.
• Always charge your devices. When bad weather is in the forecast, make sure your phones, laptops, and tablets are fully charged—especially if you live in an area prone to outages. If you have portable chargers, charge those as well.

We’ve been helping families keep comfortable with reliable heating oil deliveries across northern Vermont since 1947. Contact us to become a customer today!