Frequently Asked Questions
Safety. Oil heat is safe heat. While natural gas explosions risk a real cost in human life, fuel oil will not ignite until it has been preheated to 140 degrees.
Reliability. Regardless of time or weather, we will have a technician readily available to assist your need. Gas parts may have to be shipped from the manufacturer and can take days to fix. There is always an immediate solution for oil heat.
Cost. Fuel Oil is market driven and the price will fluctuate with market demand and competition. Natural gas companies are working hard to expand into commercial vehicle fueling and exporting in the form of LNG (liquefied natural gas) which will certainly add upward pressure to pricing.
The environment. Natural Gas is mainly composed of methane, which escapes into the atmosphere through vast amounts of pipeline leaks. Methane traps up to 100 times more heat than carbon dioxide, and poses more of a threat to Global Warming. Gas companies have publicly stated they will not repair these small pipeline leaks that damage our environment.
Flexibility. You are not locked in to a utility which is guaranteed a profit and sets their own rates. In addition to the actual cost of the gas you have transmission charges, distribution charges, cost adjustment charges, taxes, franchise fees etc.
Service! Anderson Fuel has ten state certified technicians that all live here on the South Shore. We offer 24-hour service 365 days a year. Each service technician’s service van is fully stocked and our parts warehouse and bulk fuel storage are right here in Scituate. Check out our service plan, which is one of the most comprehensive available.
Also, we improve the quality of our fuel, by adding HeatDoc — a unique blended additive — for cleaner burning and higher efficiencies with reduced corrosion to parts and equipment. Cheaper prices means cheaper fuel. We believe adding extra care to the fuel will greatly increase your system’s efficiency, longevity, and create a cleaner product for the environment.
Yes, particularly if you burn a lot of wood in your fireplace. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends a chimney be inspected annually and cleaned every other year. Spring and summer offer the best opportunity to have this done.
Our budget plan is a simple way to take the higher costs associated with mid-winter heating and spreading them over a longer period! When budget payments are made as agreed, there are no finance charges on your account for heating oil or the service contract (Anderson Plan). We pay a budget bonus (interest) on your account when you have a credit balance. By taking your estimated annual fuel usage, the forecasted price for the coming heating season, and the cost of the service plan – we then create 11 equal payments, starting in August and ending in June, with July as a settlement month for any remaining balance. Adjusted figures will be sent out if conditions warrant. We also have an Auto Bill feature for Mastercard and Visa to make your heating payments hassle-free!
Our service plan protects covered parts of your heating system against premature failure. In fact, we cover over $3000 worth of parts and labor associated with your burner, controls, and filters. Or, you may opt to pay for service on a parts and labor basis. Details of the Anderson Plan and a copy of our service brochure are located in the service section of our website. Service plans are available only to customers on automatic fuel delivery and who maintain their account in good credit standing. Our service plan is billed on the anniversary date of the plan's inception.