We get it … it’s confusing trying to sort through the myriad of prices for home heating oil. Maybe this will help.
Oil is the most popular home heating method in Nova Scotia. Unlike gasoline, heating oil pricing is unregulated by the Province. This makes for a highly competitive market, which is good for consumers because they get a choice and the best possible deal.
At last count, there were 17 home heating oil delivery companies in Metro, 10 discount and 7 full-service providers.
Full-service companies offer 24/hr service, inspections, maintenance, credit terms, budget billing and repair of your heating equipment, on top of your oil delivery. They also include automatic delivery of your oil so you don’t have to remember to call every time you need it. Full-service companies track weather on a daily basis and know the size of your tank, so you get automatically topped up when your tank gets low. Full-service providers also sell and install home heating equipment.
By contrast, companies that are “discounters” in many instances only deliver oil and you’ve got to call them when you need it. Many do not offer inspections for your furnace, your tank, etc. or offer a maintenance or repair service. If your furnace breaks down on a cold winter night, they may give you a number to call, which could mean service the next business day. Discount companies are the busiest when it’s the coldest and often you’ll have to wait days for oil delivery and service in peak periods.
Scotia Fuels charges 5-cents more per litre than most full-service companies but unlike their competitors, INCLUDE the labour for top-notch, 24-7 emergency service AND labour for the annual furnace tune-up and inspection in that price. The tune-up and inspections provide an average annual savings of $100. The 24-7 emergency service provides peace of mind, which at 3:00AM on a cold January morning, IS PRICELESS.
If you’re interested in a free furnace inspection or in signing up as a new Scotia Fuels customer, click on this link https://scotiafuels.com/contact-us/