At Energy Co-op of Vermont, our fuel truck drivers play an essential role in keeping Vermont homes warm and safe, navigating all types of weather to ensure your family is comfortable throughout the winter. But to keep your heating oil deliveries running smoothly, it's important to do your part too. Here are six essential tips to prepare for your next heating oil delivery:
1. Clear a Path to Your Oil Tank
Make it easy for our drivers by removing snow, ice, and any obstacles that block access to your heating oil fill pipe. Aim to keep an 18-inch-wide path clear. Mark the location of your fill pipe with a flag tall enough to be seen above snowdrifts. This will help ensure that your delivery can be made efficiently, even in tough winter conditions.
2. Shovel and Salt Your Driveway
Our delivery trucks need a clear, safe path to your home. If your driveway is covered in snow or ice, it may be unsafe for us to make a delivery. Be sure to shovel and sand or salt your driveway. Our trucks require a 9- to 10-foot-wide path to maneuver, so clear the snow off the sides, and mark your driveway borders if they're hidden by snow.
3. Keep Gates Unlocked
If your heating oil fill pipe is behind a gate, make sure it's unlocked and shoveled so the gate can swing open easily. This allows our driver to make a quick and safe delivery without any delays.
4. Be Available on Delivery Day
On the day of your scheduled delivery, it's important to be accessible in case we need to reach you. Ensure we have your up-to-date contact information, preferably a mobile number, so we can notify you if there's an issue or a question from the driver. If there is an issue and we cannot reach you, there might be a delay in your delivery.
5. Give Our Trucks Space
Our drivers often need to navigate narrow roads and driveways, sometimes in reverse. If you see one of our trucks with hazard lights or four-way flashers on, it means the driver is likely backing up or making a wide turn. Please don't pull up too closely or attempt to pass the truck, as they may not see you. If you try to sneak around, you might be in their blind spot. For everyone's safety, give the truck plenty of space and wait until the driver can safely complete their maneuver.
6. Plan Ahead for Deliveries
Don't wait until your tank is nearly empty to order heating oil—especially during freezing temperatures. Place your order when your tank reaches the halfway point or sign up for our automatic delivery service to take the guesswork out of fuel management. This ensures you won't run out of heating oil or face extra charges for emergency deliveries.
Taking these six steps will keep our drivers safe and happy while ensuring your home stays warm all winter long. Contact us today to join the Co-op, schedule your next fuel delivery or to learn more about our automatic delivery service!