Have you ever bought heating oil? If so, then you know it can be a complicated process. There are many decisions to make and questions to ask your heating oil company before the purchase. Check out these seven questions that may help when shopping for a new heating oil company.

1. What Are My Payment Options?

When you're choosing a heating oil company, one of the most important things to consider is how you'll be paying for your fuel. You want an option that works for you. Ask about credit cards, electronic check transfers, cash on delivery, and more. Be sure to ask about any fees associated with different payment methods.

2. What's The Minimum Order?

Some heating oil companies require a minimum order amount before they deliver fuel. This can be a hassle if you only need a small amount of oil. Make sure you know the minimum order amount and any delivery fees associated with it.

3. What's the Price Per Gallon?

This is probably the most important question to ask. You need to know how much you'll be paying for fuel. Get an estimate of the price per gallon before you sign up with a company.

4. What's the Delivery Area?

Not all heater oil companies deliver to every area. Make sure you know if the company delivers in your area and what the delivery radius is. If your heating oil company doesn't deliver to your area, you might have trouble getting them to come out and fill the tank.

5. What Safety Protocols do you follow?

One of the most important questions to ask is what safety protocol your heating oil company follows. You want a company that follows all federal and state regulations as well as its own safety protocols. If you have any questions about procedures, make sure you get answers.

6. Do You Offer Customer Support?

Even the best heater oil companies sometimes have problems. Make sure you choose a company that offers customer support in case of an emergency. This could be anything from 24/7 customer service to online tracking of orders.

7. What Are Your Business Hours?

Finally, find out if there are any restrictions when it comes to business hours. Will your heating oil company deliver it in the evening or on weekends? Make sure you know when deliveries can be made.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that in 2019, the commercial sector used roughly 2.3 billion gallons of distillate fuel oil. New York consumed about 15% of the national total while the Northeast used approximately 35%. This shows how much of the country depends on heater oil companies. It would be in your best interest to ask these questions before choosing a company to ensure you make the best decision for your needs.