Tag Archives: heating fuel

National Consumer Protection Week Feature: Preparing for Home Heating Deliveries in Winter

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As Vermonters, we are no strangers to cold temperatures and snow-filled winters. Winter can be long and cold, with temperatures ranging from single digits to below zero. This is why home heating is essential, especially during the colder months of the year. Currently, we are in the middle of heating season, which occurs every year from November 1st to April 15th. Heating season is one of the busiest times of year for heating fuel providers.

Whether it be the snow causing delays on the road or preventing trucks from safely accessing your tank to tight schedules for deliveries, here are some tips that could potentially avoid delays in your delivery of heating fuel:

Making a Plowing Plan

Be aware of upcoming weather events that may affect your expected delivery. If you are expecting a delivery during a snowstorm or after snowfall, make sure your driveway is adequately plowed and sanded so the truck can safely drive up to your tank. Live on a private drive? Call your provider to make a plan to ensure the delivery can occur as scheduled.

Calling Ahead

Keep an eye on your tank gauge during the colder months, regardless of your delivery status. For example, if you are on will call, it is generally recommended to call your provider while your tank is between 40-30% full. However, each provider may have their own requirement, so check with your provider to see when a delivery should be scheduled.

Having a tank at 10% can make you vulnerable to running out of heating fuel, especially during heating season when your providers’ delivery schedule can quickly fill up. Waiting to schedule a delivery may result in an emergency delivery fee or special trip charge to avoid a no heat situation.

Shopping Around

If you own your tank and do not have a contract with a specific provider, you may be able to call other providers. For example, No. 2 fuel gives you the ability to contact other providers in your area if your usual provider cannot schedule you. On the other hand, propane can be different. If you are looking to switch providers, this may require a tank swap. Vermont has specific protections for propane customers when requesting termination of service from your provider. Call CAP for more information.

Still having trouble with a delivery? Call CAP at (800) 649-2424 or email us at AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.

If you or someone you know is having trouble affording heat this winter, there are programs in Vermont that may be able to help. Please see our past Staying Warm This Winter post for additional information.

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office enforces a Consumer Protection Rule (CP 111) specific to the regulation of propane. Propane consumers are entitled to, among other rights: the disclosure of fees before service begins, notice of changes to fees or new fees, notice prior to a change in credit status, and certain protections for disconnections. 

Have questions about the Consumer Protection Rule (CP) 111? Call CAP at (800) 649-2424.

CAP provides a letter mediation service for consumer issues facing Vermont residents. If you have experienced an issue with your home heating provider, contact the Consumer Assistance Program.

Staying Warm This Winter

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By Crystal Baldwin

Heat is a precious commodity. This was an easy lesson to learn when growing up in Vermont. At my house, once the thermostat was set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, when the front door opened, you’d hear my dad call down the hall, “Close the door, you’re letting all the heat out!” Much of the time, the door would have long been closed. But, that did not keep the puff of cold air that entered from lingering.   

The cost of heat motivated my dad to be conscious about conserving it. My siblings and I did our best to do just that.  We learned to bundle up in sweaters and long underwear to keep the chill off. There were never too many blankets at bedtime. I am thankful that I never felt too cold or too uncomfortable from the cold—except maybe when shoveling during a Nor’easter. This winter, my personal hope is that every Vermonter will be warm and will know how to gain access to heat.   

Resources in VT to stay warm. Find help now.

Heating fuel can be expensive. Fuel pricing, outside of pre-buy or fixed price contract, is not regulated in Vermont. People often turn back the dial on their thermostats to preserve fuel to forgo the added expense. The CAP hotline has heard stories of families in need of fuel and living on low to no heat in the middle of winter.

If you or someone you know is having trouble affording heat this winter, I encourage you to seek out programs that can assist:  

•     Vermont’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as Fuel Assistance, can help those who qualify for the program. We encourage people who need help paying for heating costs to seek out Vermont Fuel Assistance. Vermonters can call 1-800-479-6151 to request an application, go online to apply, or visit their local Department of Children and Families. Make sure to start the application process before the upcoming heating season.

•     Don’t qualify for fuel assistance? Your Community Action Agency may have a supplemental program that might be able to help.

•     Have a back balance on your account? Check with your fuel dealer about payment plan options.

•     The United Ways of Vermont information and referral hotline, 2-1-1 can connect you to additional regional resources. 

If you would like more information, watch the following video. The Consumer Assistance Program’s Assistant Director, Lisa Jensen, was recently on Across the Fence with the Director of Chittenden Community Action, Travis Poulin, discussing this important topic.   

Across The Fence Program: Keeping Warm-Know Your Rights & Community Resources

May you and yours be warm this winter. If you find that you are not warm, please seek out the assistance outlined above. If you are warm this winter, consider spreading warmth by checking in on neighbors and encouraging them to contact us when in need of support. If you are able, consider donating a gift of warmth to support a heating assistance program. You’ll be glad you did.