If you live in Montgomery or Bucks County, then you know there are lots of options for fuel oil delivery. To select the best provider, you may be tempted to choose on price, but quite often customers find that the best price per gallon includes hidden fees and very little in the way of service. That’s why it’s important to look beyond price and consider other aspects of the service you’re signing up for.
Just as price differs from provider to provider, so too do the payment plans and purchasing options each offers. IT Landes has been delivering home heating oil for over 20 years, so we know a thing or two about how to keep customers happy. One way we maintain our customers’ loyalty is by offering choices in how they purchase their oil, as finding the right plan for your budget and heating needs will directly affect how satisfied you are with your provider.
Here’s an overview of our payment plan options.
Pay-As-You-Go
With pay-as-you-go, there is no obligation to purchase a minimum amount of fuel oil, and you pay the current market price at the time of delivery. Pay-as-you-go also allows you the freedom to switch suppliers at any time without having to break a contract. The downsides are fluctuating oil prices and the potential for periodic, large oil bills. If a market event drives oil prices up, you’ll be paying the higher price, and you’ll be paying the total amount at the time of delivery.
Pre-Buy
With a pre-buy plan, you purchase your fuel oil in advance based on an estimate of how much you’ll use over the course of the heating season. An IT Landes home heating expert can help you estimate this amount based on your home’s historical usage and weather conditions in your area. Pre-buying allows you to lock in a pre-season price, so you won’t be affected if prices rise. You make a single payment for the total amount of oil you’re purchasing prior to the start of the heating season. One risk of pre-buying is purchasing too little oil and having to purchase additional gallons later in the season at market value, which may be higher than the pre-season price.
Smart Pay
Smart Pay is a popular plan because it allows customers to pay for their fuel oil via even monthly payments that are calculated based on previous usage. Predictable monthly payments are ideal for customers who are on a budget and don’t want to get socked with unexpectedly high heating bills during the heating season. Conversely, some customers don’t like paying for heating oil during the off-season summer months.
Price Cap
With price cap you’ll never pay more than a predetermined price per gallon for your heating oil, so you’re protected from unexpected spikes in the market. If the price of oil goes down, you pay the lower price. If the price of oil goes up, you’re protected and pay no more than the agreed upon capped rate. Price cap plans are contractual, and you are required to purchase your fuel oil from IT Landes for the duration of the contract in order to receive the capped price. You do not have to be on a Smart Pay plan to take advantage of a price cap, but many customers opt to include price cap protection along with a monthly payment plan.
Combining Options
In addition to each of the options described above, you can combine certain options, such as pay-as-you-go with price cap or Smart Pay with price cap. You can also opt to pre-buy with downside protection, so if the market price drops below your prepaid price, you can still benefit from the lower rate.
Add It Up with Our Oil Calculator
To further help you decide which of these plans best suits your needs, use IT Landes’ free oil calculator. Simply enter your anticipated annual fuel oil usage, and you can see real-time prices for all of our purchase and payment options.
If you still have questions or need further assistance in choosing a fuel oil plan, contact an IT Landes home comfort specialist at 215-256-4221 or request an appointment online.