FAQs

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I always seem to pay 75% of my heating bills during December, January and February. Obviously, most of my heating oil is being used up during that time. I was wondering, is there a way to keep my payments more stable?

Yes there is! When you sign up for your local FMANJ heating oil dealer's budget plan, you can gain more control over your budget and say goodbye to unexpected, high energy bills. A budget plan takes your yearly fuel costs and divides them into equal monthly payments. So, no matter what Mother Nature sends our way, and no matter what happens to energy prices, you'll have the peace of mind and convenience that comes from knowing exactly what your family budget is each month. Without a budget plan, your payments can bunch up when it's least convenient, such as when you're buying those holiday gifts.

In case you're wondering how your Oilheat dealer figures out how much you pay each month, they examine your past usage to forecast your payments. At the end of the budget season, your dealer will either credit your account for the following year or bill you for the remaining balance due.


My next door neighbor is paying a lot less for heating oil that I am. We use the same fuel oil company. What's her secret?

Your neighbor is most likely enrolled in a price protection plan. And with this heating season's higher heating oil prices, she made a good move. Fuel prices are subject to things like supply and demand and changing world events. And while your local FMANJ member Oilheat dealer can neither predict nor control these things (hard as they try!), they can offer you the best way to protect your family budget: price protection.

There are two types of price protection plans: price cap and pre-buy. When you enroll in a price cap, you'll agree not to pay more than a certain price for the entire heating season. You'll have the security you want because you will never pay more than your capped price. And if prices go down, your delivered price will also fall. With a pre-buy plan, you purchase your fuel in advance of the heating season at the current price. A minimum purchase is required. Enrollment in both plans is FREE. Please call your local FMANJ member dealer for more details on how to "lock in" your fuel price so you'll never have to worry about price increases.


My neighbors just had their Oilheat system upgraded. They claim the upgrade will save money. My system is about twenty years old and it's still working pretty well. Why should I consider an upgrade?

Studies show older Oilheat equipment is not as effective as more-efficient modern units. New oil equipment produces the highest average efficiency at 85%, which is 10% higher than natural gas. Locate a local FMA member and make an appointment to have your system evaluated. After thoroughly inspecting the equipment, the service technician may suggest an upgrade. A new system will reduce maintenance and repair costs, lower your heating bills, and provide greater peace-of-mind. A new, compact, high efficiency Oilheat system will often pay for itself over a short period of time.