Oil and Oil Price FAQs
Oil Price FAQs
Why have prices jumped so rapidly?
Supply, demand, and a turbulent market. Petroleum products are commodities traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYME). Traders buy and sell based on predictions of future supply and demand. Currently, worldwide demand is on the rise, and cold weather is right around the corner. Meanwhile, supplies have been affected by last year’s severe hurricane season, as well as political unrest in the Middle East. Price increases are being felt across the spectrum of heating fuels.
How long will these high prices last?
There’s no way to make an accurate prediction, but the low prices in the past may indeed be a thing of the past. We strongly recommend that customers adjust their household budgets in anticipation that higher fuel prices will persist through the winter. If you are not currently enrolled in one of our budget plans, we highly encourage you to read more about them here on our site or call us for details.
How can I save energy and reduce my heating bills?
Check out our Energy-Saving Tips page.
Does Superior make a larger profit while prices are high?
No. Just the opposite! Our profits shrink during price spikes because we absorb a portion of the price increase to help protect our customers and remain competitive.
How can I be sure I’m getting the best performance from my heating equipment?
We always recommend that you have your heating system tuned up before the heating season begins. Adding programmable thermostats and upgrading older equipment can also increase fuel efficiency by up to 30%.
Oil FAQs
I’m building a new home and considering oil as my choice for heating fuel. Is it ever smoky and smelly?
No! Heating oil burns much cleaner than it did even 15 years ago. In fact, today’s heating oil burns just as cleanly as natural gas. And like all technology, oil burning equipment has changed a great deal in the past 30 years. New-generation oil burning equipment is very efficient and produces low emissions.
When I'm having oil delivered, I've noticed a whistling sound while the tank is filling. What is that?
The whistle is a safety feature of your oil tank. When the deliveryman fills your tank, the oil displaces air, which leaves the tank through a separate vent. As the air escapes, it passes a device that whistles, just like a tea kettle. When the fill is complete, there is almost no air left and the whistler device quiets.The silence indicates that the tank is full.
Do I need to be home to get oil delivered?
No. Unless your account is set up for cash-on-delivery (C.O.D.), we can deliver fuel anytime, without anyone being home. If you have pets, please ensure their safety and the safety of our delivery personnel by properly securing them.
What is the average amount of oil a home will use?
Fuel usage depends many on many factors including size, insulation, system efficiency, and household habits. Please give us a call for a free fuel usage estimate.
Will you deliver more oil if I’m on automatic delivery?
No. We schedule deliveries when our computerized delivery system projects that your tank is between 1/3 and 1/2 full. Smaller, more frequent deliveries are inefficient and would drive fuel prices up unnecessarily. We do everything we can to keep our fuel prices as low as possible.
How do you know when it's time to deliver oil to my home?
We count "degree days" to calculate how cold it has been. The average temperature on any given day is measured in degree-days. The colder it is, the more degree-days there are.
The number of heating degree days for one day is roughly equal to 65° minus the average temperature on that day.
When there are severe winter storms, how do you plan fuel deliveries?
Our delivery team keeps a close watch on weather forecasts to anticipate extreme weather, especially snow and ice storms. By using our sophisticated delivery projection system, we know when you will need delivery and make adjustments to your delivery cycle based on weather forecasts.
What can I do to help my delivery person when we have bad weather?
- Before snow covers the ground, place a stake with a flag or ribbon on it to mark the location of your oil tank fill.
- In times of very deep snow, uncover the fill pipe. Your delivery person would also appreciate it if you clear a path to your full pipe.
- If you have a long driveway, remember that a delivery truck is much wider than a car. When plowing your drive, have it plowed wide enough for the delivery truck.
Should I keep my oil tank full during the summer?
Keeping your oil tank nearly full during the summer reduces the amount of condensation that will occur in your tank. Condensation occurs naturally when it is cooler inside the tank compared to the outside temperature. This trapped moisture can lead to bacteria growth and the development of sediment at the bottom of your tank. Our Tank Guard service is also recommended for prolonging the life of your tank.
I've noticed some oil on the floor under my tank. Do I need a new tank?
Possibly. You may just have a loose fitting or a leak in the oil line. If your tank has rust along its bottom or is showing any signs of “weepage” (which may appear as an oily stain on the tank) call us immediately to schedule an estimate for tank replacement. Do not remove rust from the bottom of your oil tank as that could result in a major breach!
Is oil safe?
Yes. Heating oil is one of the safest fuels ever developed. Oil produces low emissions, is biodegradable, and it won't burn in a liquid state. If a lit match were dropped into a container of heating oil, the oil would extinguish the flame, just like water. To be ignited, oil must be vaporized. This only occurs under pressure at 140°F.
Properly maintained oil burners produce very low, safe levels of carbon monoxide as a normal part of the combustion process. And if there is ever a malfunction in your heating system, there's little or no need to worry about an explosion or the release of carbon monoxide into your home.
Where is the pilot light on my oil burner?
Unlike some gas systems, oil furnaces have an electronic ignition system and do not require an open flame.
Can I stick some lighted paper or a match in the furnace if it doesn’t light?
No! Never put any sort of foreign object into the firebox of any heating system.
Why should I have my oil furnace serviced every year?
In order to maintain efficiency, parts such as nozzle, oil line filter and air filters should be replaced regularly. Motors also need lubrication and controls should be maintained within the manufacturer’s specifications. An annual tune-up will help you avoid emergency repair calls.
How many times can I push the restart button?
Once or twice only! Pushing the restart button repeatedly will cause your firebox to flood, and heating oil, unlike gasoline, does not evaporate, thus making a lot of noise once it is started. Although rare, flooding the firebox could be a fire hazard.
What can I do when my heating system shuts down? I have no heat?
Check out our Troubleshooting section of the site for some helpful tips. Many simple problems can easily be handled without a service call. But if you’re not having luck with these simple procedures, or if you have any significant concerns, call our service line at 508-865-1972 and we’ll schedule an appointment.
At Superior Oil we offer pricing programs to help avoid price spikes such as those we have experienced in past heating seasons.
Some of our programs include an 11-month budget plan, which allows you to spread out your payments over an extended period, or a lock-in price from September 1st through April 30th.
Lock-in prices do not guarantee that you will be paying a lower price on the day of your delivery. What they do guarantee is a stable price, which helps you to avoid price spikes in the middle of the heating season.
