If your home is reliant on heating fuel deliveries– such as propane or oil –you know it’s critical to ensure you don’t run out and find yourself in an emergency situation! During the Winter, no one wants to run out of heating fuel, so it’s vital you prepare your home for your fuel deliveries.
Winter is the peak season for heating fuel deliveries, but it’s also when weather conditions are the most severe. Bad weather can slow down fuel deliveries significantly, and many drivers won’t deliver to your home if there is not a well-maintained path to fill your tank. It’s important to prep your home in advance whenever you are expecting a fuel delivery during the Winter.
Easy to locate. Even if you’ve used the same fuel delivery company for years, it’s not always the same driver who will be delivering to your home. Ensure your house number is displayed clearly so the driver can spot it right away. If your home is hard to find, your delivery could be late or postponed until it’s easier for the driver to spot – not all GPS devices are on target!
Accessible. If your driver needs access to a gate or other structure, make sure someone is home to let them in. If no one will be home, be sure to leave any locked areas open or provide easy instructions for them to get it. Locked access is almost a guarantee that your heating fuel delivery will be canceled or rescheduled. If you have a dog and the access to your fill location is in a fenced in yard (traditional or invisible) make sure your dog isn’t outside when the driver makes his/her delivery. It’s always best to make the delivery as easy and seamless as possible for the driver.
Keep it Neat. Your driver shouldn’t have to climb over rocks, branches, leaves, debris, snow piles or other potential obstructions. Keep all walkways clear so your driver and the large hose can easily pass from the truck to the fill locations. If you have trees or bushes nearby, keep them trimmed back as much as possible.
Snow and Ice Removal. If you do not clear a safe path for your driver, they may not be able to complete their delivery. The filling hose is heavy and if driveways and walkways are covered in snow and ice, this can be very dangerous for your driver. Many drivers will do what it takes to make a delivery – but it needs to be safe, no one wants to see them fall and get hurt. Keep up with snow after each storm. Throw ice melt on spots that are slippery. If you can’t safely walk from your street or driveway to the filling location, then your driver can’t either.
Communicate! If you know a fuel delivery is scheduled and you can’t get your driveway and/or path cleared please call your fuel oil company and reschedule – it’s just the right thing to do plus some dealers may charge a delivery charge if they show up and need to leave without filling your tank.
Make sure your yard is prepped and maintained throughout the Winter so your delivery can be as smooth and easy as possible. Have questions about automatic delivery at Baribault Fuel– give us a call!
