Petro question - or general oil delivery question

We inherited with our house, an OLD original boiler. Last winter we had them come (for free on our service contract) at least 2 x a week when we would lose hot water and heat. The contract says they will replace it if it breaks...but I know they will keep temporarily fixing it.

So we didn't have money for a new boiler and stuck it out and just called them anytime we had an issue. We chose the variable rate, which would cap out at $2.79 per gallon. I just called to renew ant they said the new variable rate would be $3.299. Is that really high? I don't know what our other options are, since a new boiler is not in the immediate future - at least another year. We can't shop around because I know that we are going to have hot water/heat issues during the winter and they come fix it for free.

Any advice/suggestions?

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

My sister got a new boiler - 3 years 0% interest - from Slomin's. Might be worth it to give them a call and see if they still do that as this was a few years ago.

That might be one of your options if you don't want to pay that much for oil - and you'll burn more efficiently as well.

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

Petro is notoriously the highest price around for all. Whatever you think you are saving by getting the boiler from them they are gauging you on the oil price to make up for it.

Please be wary of getting the boilers as part of the plan from the oil company. They seem like a great deal but they are often bottom of the line/builder's stock boilers, are not the most efficient even when installed but especially long term. So you'll spend a lot more in oil in the long run.

Always get details from companies of exactly the specifics and brand of the unit they will provide you with. That way you can compare the deals.

Weil-McClane is the best brand out there but I don't know one oil company that installs it as a stock boiler.

BTW: Oil prices are expected to be higher than ever before this winter so their $3.29 does not surprize me and, who knows, might just be a deal. No one can predict the price.

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

Thanks. I have a call in to Perillo Brothers to see what they have to offer.

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

I have a ceiling cap of $2.99 from Petro... I locked that in about a month ago.....so that seems about right.

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

I spoke with Perillo and they are offering a cap of 2.89

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

I just paid 2.42 with Southville Petroleum. I don't get a locked in rate but since I pay $200 a year for the "super-duper" service contract they give me a discount on the price per gallon.

Re: Petro question - or general oil delivery question

I am paying $2.54 with Slomin's, locked in a month ago and I have the full service boiler contract which I paid $99 for.
When I spoke to Slomin's their cap was $2.85 but they were offering me the lower price to get me back from the year before.

IMO, there is no reason why you can't shop around if the boiler is working.