Automated Oil Delivery VS Cash on Delivery (COD)
Home oil tanks, regardless of the size, have to be filled periodically to keep you warm against the winter chill. Just when the delivery truck arrives, and how many gallons of oil they put in your tanks, are choices you can make by selecting an automated delivery or COD service. There are upsides and downsides to both methods, and knowing which suits your individual needs will allow you to make the right choice.
Automated Oil Delivery: Straightforward and Hassle-Free
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Automated oil delivery is pretty much exactly what its name implies; it takes the burden off the customer in tracking oil usage and scheduling deliveries. As part of your contract service, Lawes takes into account temperature conditions and your past usage to calculate the appropriate oil delivery dates, ensuring that your tank never runs dry when you need it most. New Jersey homeowners do not need to check tank levels or try to estimate how long the supply will last.
Automatic plans also allow for more flexible payment schedules, such as stretching your billing into equal installments spread throughout the year. This prevents big spikes in charges when the weather turns cold, making for easier household budgeting.
Oil Service Plans
Various service plans that include annual maintenance of the furnace, water heating, and air conditioning systems are also available in conjunction with automated oil delivery packages. This is an important plus as regular maintenance is vital in keeping your systems running at peak efficiency and in getting the maximum life from the components. The service more than pays for itself by saving you money in both fuel usage and overall repair costs.
COD: Greater Control Over Your System
Going the COD route means paying for oil at the time of delivery, but it also means that the customer must monitor their own oil tank levels and then call in to schedule a delivery when necessary. The potential upside is that this method of payment allows customers to track oil prices so they can schedule a delivery when prices are lowest and order a smaller quantity if less than a full tank is needed. The COD option requires more work on the part of the consumer, but having that flexibility in pricing and quantity is very important to some. Another issue to consider is that when on a COD basis, the regular maintenance and service contracts are not normally available through oil suppliers, which can negate some of the savings.
Not Sure What’s Right for You? Talk to the Oil Storage Tank Experts
Generally speaking, automatic oil delivery service is the way to go for most homeowners because it requires little or no effort from the consumer to keep their oil supply at the ready, and because of the benefits offered by the regular maintenance packages that come with it. If you’re uncertain which option best suits your individual needs, give Lawes a call today. We’ll be happy to help you out.