Frequently Asked Questions

Bioheat® fuel is a blend of biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur heating fuel. A more eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating fuel, Bioheat® fuel can be used in existing home heating fuel systems. Bioheat® fuel is available right now and is currently offered in a range of blends from 2% to 20% biodiesel.

We currently are distributing/selling a 20% blend which not only is a more superior heating oil than traditional heating it also lowers your carbon emissions by 15%!

For more information click on the BioHeat tab found under the home heating oil header on this page and learn more.

PCI Level 1 compliance refers to the highest level of certification under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This ensures that sensitive payment card information is securely handled and protected against fraud and data breaches!

Preventing fraud and data breaches is very important to us and more importantly for you.

At Fuel Cell Petrol, we place a temporary hold on your account until after fuel delivery to ensure accurate billing based on the precise amount of fuel delivered. This process guarantees that you are charged correctly for the fuel you receive, and the hold is released once the transaction is finalized. It’s a standard procedure to protect both your account and ensure seamless service.

If you ordered a fill of your tank(s) then the amount of funds held would vary by the size of the tank(s) we are filling.

Example:  If you requested your 275g tank to be filled and the current price was $2.99 the hold on your account would be $822.25.   Once the delivery of fuel is completed and lets say your tank only took 175 gallons the $822.25 hold would drop off and you would only be charged for $523.25 due to the 175 gallons it took to fill your tank.

Yes We do!!

Automatic heating oil delivery offers several advantages for homeowners and businesses alike. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Convenience: Automatic delivery eliminates the need for customers to monitor their heating oil levels or schedule deliveries manually. The supplier uses advanced monitoring systems and sophisticated state of the art degree day tracking system to track the usage and temperature, ensuring that the oil tank is refilled promptly when needed. This saves customers time and effort, as they do not have to remember to place orders or check their tank levels regularly.
2. Continuous supply: With automatic delivery, customers are less likely to run out of heating oil. FCP takes care of monitoring the oil levels and ensures timely refills, preventing the discomfort and potential damage that could arise from unexpectedly running out of heating oil during wintry weather.3.
3. Reduced risk of damage: Running out of heating oil can lead to frozen pipes or damage to the heating system, which can be costly to repair. Automatic delivery minimizes the risk of such incidents by ensuring a constant and adequate supply of oil
4. Efficient fuel management: Automatic delivery allows FCP to optimize their delivery routes based on real-time data on customer usage patterns. This can lead to more efficient fuel management, reducing delivery costs and environmental impact by reducing unnecessary trips.
5. Price discount:  By enrolling in an automatic delivery program the customer will receive a 10-cent discount per gallon!
6. Remote monitoring and adjustments:  Because our system uses a sophisticated (state of the art) degree day tracking system that reliably gauges the daily weather conditions.  You can rest assure your tank(s) will never run out.  If for some reason your tank(s) do run out  we also provide you with our "No Run-out Guarantee". NOTE: Should you run out of heating oil while on automatic delivery, we will not only come out at any hour free of charge to fill your tank we will also credit your account $50.00!
7. Improved customer service: Automatic delivery helps build a stronger relationship between FCP and the customer. FCP can proactively address any potential issues and provide better customer support by having a better understanding of the customer's fuel consumption patterns.
8. Emergency response: In the event of unexpected weather events or emergencies, automatic delivery systems allow suppliers to respond quickly and ensure customers have enough heating oil to stay warm and safe.

Overall, automatic heating oil delivery offers convenience, reliability, and peace of mind for customers, while also allowing FCP to optimize their operations and provide better service.

What is LIHEAP?

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay their heating bills. LIHEAP is a grant. You do not have to repay it.

To receive help…
• Apply between Nov. 1, 2023 and Apr. 5, 2024.
• You don’t have to be on public assistance
• You don’t need to have an unpaid heating bill
• You can either rent or own your home

How does LIHEAP work?

LIHEAP offers both cash and crisis grants. Families may apply for:

Cash Grants
Cash grants help families pay their heating bills. The one-time payment is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider, and it will be credited on your bill. (In some cases, the check may be mailed to you
directly.) Cash grants range from $300-$1000 and are based on household size, income, and fuel type.

Crisis Grants
Crisis grants may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat. You can receive more than one Crisis grant, as necessary, during the season until the maximum benefit of $1000 is reached.

Crisis situations include:
• Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must
be fixed or replaced
• Lack of fuel
• Termination of utility service
• Danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply) or of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)

If you have a heating emergency please call your local county assistance office (CAO).

How do I apply?
• Apply online at: www.compass.state.pa.us
• Request an application by calling the Statewide LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired.
• Applications are available at your local CAO

To apply, you will need
• Names of people in your household
• Dates of birth for all household members
• Social Security Numbers for all household members
• Proof of income for all household members
• A recent heating bill

Who is eligible?
You may qualify for a LIHEAP grant if your
household income meets the following income guidelines:
After your application is processed, you will
receive a written notice that will tell you if you qualify. If eligible, it will tell you the amount of your grant.

INCOME GUIDELINES
2023 - 2024 LIHEAP

Household Maximum

Annual  Size                                  Income
1                                                   $ 21,870
2                                                   $ 29,580
3                                                   $ 37,290
4                                                   $ 45,000
5                                                   $ 52,710
6                                                   $ 60,420
7                                                   $ 68,130
8                                                   $ 75,840
9                                                   $ 83,550
10                                                 $ 91,260

Each Additional Person
Add $ 7,710

Yes, we do!

We call this our HEROES DISCOUNT. Please contact the office so we can get you set up to receive this $10.00 discount automatically every time you place an order for delivery whether you order in the portal or call in.

Thank you for your service!

Here at Fuel Cell Petrol we believe its important to always take care of our seniors residents.   ALL seniors over the age of 65 will receive a $10 discount on every fuel delivery order. A small token to those that may be on fixed incomes and every dollar matters. Just speak to one of customer service reps  or dispatchers to have this discount added to your account.

Yes, For an extra fee of $150.00 Fuel Cell Petrol will bring your fuel on the same day. The reason for the extra charge is we will have to reroute our truck(s) and/or refill the truck(s) to accommodate you for same day delivery.

-THIS SERVICE IS AVAILABLE ON WEEKDAYS ONLY AND THE ORDER MUST BE PLACED DURING THE HOURS OF 730 AM TO 3PM (WEEKENDS EXCLUDED).

-IF A CUSTOMER SELECTS THIS OPTION ON THE ONLINE ORDER FORM ON A WEEKEND OR AFTER 3PM ON WEEKDAYS IT WILL ASSURE NEXT BUSINESS DAY DELIVERY.

-IF YOU ARE COMPLETLEY OUT OF FUEL AND WE ARE CLOSED PLEASE CALL  877-456-3835 AND CHOOSE THE EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS DELIVERY OPTION TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR ON CALL DRIVER FOR AN EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS DELIVERY.

Fuel Cell Petrol does offer after-hours emergency delivery to existing customers only.

FCP will bring you 20 gallons of fuel. These 20 gallons are ONLY intended to get you through the night/weekend/non-working days until we can get a delivery truck out to your home/business for the larger standard delivery during regular working hours.

Please call 1-877-456-3835 and follow the prompts for emergency after hours delivery to contact the driver on-call to schedule an emergency after-hours fuel delivery. FCP breaks down the emergency service call out costs by county.

• Northampton County $300
• Monroe County $350
• Carbon County $350
• Bucks County $350
• Lehigh County $350

YES!  Diesel fuel is used in diesel-powered vehicles and other engines is a fine alternative to home heating oil. Its is basically No. 2 home heating oil.

The only difference is that home heating oil has a red dye added to it that distinguishes it from untaxed or lower-taxed fuels.

The higher-taxed diesel fuels are used for over-the-road vehicles.  This is why diesel fuel at the pump is much higher per gallon vs. No. 2 home heating fuel.

So if you think you may run out of No. 2 home heating oil grab yourself an empty fuel can and head to your local gas station that has diesel fuel.  Using a funnel simply dump the diesel fuel down your heating oil tank fill pipe.  5-10 gallons per day in most cases is plenty to get you by.  Unless temperatures are single digits at night you may want to double the amount of gallons you dump in to be safe!

Yes we do! A heating oil budget program, also known as our EZ Pay Budget Plan or level payment plan, is a payment arrangement offered to help our customers manage their heating expenses more effectively. Here are some advantages of enrolling in a heating oil budget program:

• Stable Monthly Payments: With a budget program, your heating oil costs are spread out evenly over a year. This means you will pay a lower amount each month vs. Paying for paying for your deliveries in full making it easier to budget for heating expenses and avoid unexpected spikes in winter bills.
• Financial Predictability: By knowing exactly how much you need to allocate for heating oil each month, you can better plan your overall household budget. This financial predictability can be particularly helpful for individuals or families on fixed incomes or tight budgets.
• Convenience and Peace of Mind: With a budget program, you do not have to worry about monitoring heating oil prices or making separate payments every time you need a delivery. The convenience of regular, predictable payments can bring peace of mind and reduce financial stress.
• Avoiding High Winter Bills: During the colder months, heating oil consumption tends to increase, leading to higher bills. By spreading the costs evenly over the year, you will not be hit with unexpectedly high heating bills during the winter season.
• Flexible Payment Options: FCP offers various payment options to suit your needs. All payments are auto drafted based on our terms and conditions set forth.
• Easy Enrollment: Enrolling in a heating oil budget program is typically a straightforward process. Once you sign up, FCP will calculate your monthly payment based on the deliveries you receive during the budget program calendar. Note: Each time you receive a delivery your monthly payment will be readjusted.

Overall, our EZ Pay Budget Plan can provide financial stability, predictability, and convenience for homeowners, making it an appealing option for those who want to manage their heating costs more efficiently. However, please be sure review the specific terms and conditions of the plan to ensure it aligns with your needs and preferences before agreeing to the plan.

**ALL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE A SOFT CREDIT CHECK PERFORMED THAT MUST MEET OUR CRITERIA SET FORTH BEFORE BEING APPROVED FOR EZ PAY BUDGET PLAN PROGRAM**

Heating has been used as a popular source of heat for homes for several reasons:

1. High Energy Density: Heating oil has a high energy density, meaning it contains a significant amount of energy per unit volume. This allows for efficient storage and transportation, making it convenient for home heating purposes.
2. Reliable and Consistent Heat: Heating oil heating systems can provide a steady and consistent heat output, ensuring that your home remains comfortably warm, even during extreme freezing weather conditions.
3. Long Burning Time: Heating oil heaters have a longer burning time compared to other heating sources like natural gas or propane. This means you need to refuel less frequently, providing convenience and requiring less maintenance.

The amount of heating oil a home or business consumes in a day, week, month, or year can vary widely depending on several factors, such as:

1. Size of the property: larger properties require more heating oil to maintain comfortable temperatures.
2. Climate: Colder climates will require more heating oil to keep the interior warm.
3. Insulation: Well-insulated homes or buildings retain heat better and may use less heating oil.
4. Thermostat settings: Lower thermostat settings will reduce oil consumption.
5. Appliance efficiency: More efficient heating systems use less oil.
6. Occupancy: The number of occupants and their heating preferences influence consumption.
7. Energy conservation practices: Using energy-saving habits can reduce oil consumption.

Given these variables, it is challenging to provide an exact figure. However, rough estimates based on common consumption patterns:

1. Daily: For residential properties, daily consumption may range from 1 to 5 gallons per day during colder months.
2. Weekly: This could amount to 7 to 35 gallons per week.
3. Monthly: Monthly usage may vary from 30 to 150 gallons per month.
4. Yearly: Annually, consumption can range from 300 to 1,500 gallons or more, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Keep in mind that these figures are general estimates and may not apply to every situation. It is best to monitor your specific heating oil usage to get an accurate understanding of how much is being consumed. Additionally, energy conservation practices, regular maintenance of heating systems, and investing in energy-efficient appliances can help reduce heating oil consumption.

Our fuel additive blends provide for first-class fuels that separates us from competitors who may not be adding them to their fuels.

Fuel additives that we add include:

1. HEAT DOC, which improves the overall heating oil fuel quality by preventing harmful sludge buildup. Added to EVERY gallon of heating oil we delivery at no charge!
2. SZP, for outdoor heating oil tanks to prevent sludge or water buildup. A must for an outside tank for added protection against sludge/water/ice buildup. When added to the HEATDOC it will prevent any type of issue with your outside heating oil tank. (year round use is recommended)
3. AWDA-3000, a diesel fuel additive to resist fuel gelling at low temperatures. This is added to ALL diesel fuels by default from Nov. 1 to April 1.
4. OPT, a diesel fuel additive that enhances fuel/engine performance to help prevent costly repairs and increase the overall performance of the fuel resulting in increased MPG and HGP.

Visit the additives tab at the top of page for more information on our 1st class additives.

When Fuel Cell Petrol arrives at our home to make the fuel delivery our driver will prime and start your furnace free of charge as a courtesy.

However, because our drivers are not trained in HVAC service, they only know the basics of priming/restarting a furnace. In circumstances that our driver cannot get the furnace started and running you may have to contact an HVAC service company.

In the event an HVAC company needs to be contacted Fuel Cell Petrol works with and recommends Fields Service Inc. AC Repair & Insulation Service Easton PA | Field's Service, Inc.  www.fieldsservice.com

The cost of heating a home with heating oil can vary significantly based on several factors, including:

• Location: Prices can vary depending on where you live. Different regions and countries have different oil prices, and even within a country, prices can differ based on local factors.
• Season: Heating oil prices can fluctuate throughout the year, with higher demand and prices during colder months.
• Home Size: The size of your home and the level of insulation it has will impact on how much heating oil is needed.
• Efficiency: The efficiency of your heating system and how well it is maintained can affect how much oil is required to heat your home.
• Heating Needs: If you use heating oil not just for space heating but also for hot water, the overall consumption and cost will be higher.
• Global Market: Heating oil prices are influenced by global factors such as crude oil prices and geopolitical events.

As of my last update in September 2021, the average cost of heating oil in the United States was around $2.50 to $3.50 per gallon. However, it is essential to check current prices and regional variations, as they may have changed since then.

To estimate the cost of heating your home with heating oil, you would need to consider your daily or monthly oil consumption (in gallons) and multiply it by the current price per gallon in your area. For more accurate estimates, consider contacting local heating oil suppliers or utility companies to get current pricing information.

By ordering online through our super secure portal it saves our staff time on the phone with the customer to gather your information needed for delivery and payment of your fuel. So, we in turn pass that savings back to the customer!

In addition, ordering online allows customers to order when it is convenient for them while also giving the customer access to their order history, payment information and much more!

Follow our social media pages! The icons for all our social media pages can be found at the top of every page of this website!

Start following and start saving that $$$ and even win prizes!

What is heating oil sludge, and how do I prevent it?

One of the things technicians sometimes encounter when they perform service on oil-fired heating systems is a build-up of thick black gunk in the fuel filter.

That gunk, commonly known as heating oil sludge, forms when bacteria oxidize the fuel in your tank; the bacteria lives in the fuel and grows in the presence of water, which condenses on the tank walls as temperatures outside the tank change. Sludge robs your heating equipment of precious efficiency and, if left untreated, can even cause your heating system to break down.

Typically the pickup line for an oil furnace rests several inches above the tank bottom to avoid sucking this sludge into the supply line. But a tank filling can stir sludge into the fuel mix, clogging filters and causing problems for your heating system.

Preventing Tank Sludge

What can you do to prevent a sludge problem in your heating oil tank in the months to come? Here are four key actions you should take:

1. Keep enough heating oil in your tank – An empty heating oil tank promotes condensation build-up on its walls, which accelerates the growth of sludge-forming bacteria. If your tank is less than half full, schedule a delivery with us today.
2. Get professional heating maintenance every year – A heating tune-up includes a filter change – a must for your heating oil system. It will also help technicians to spot a sludge problem early, before too much damage is done.
3. Consider draining or replacing your tank – Sludge accumulates over time; if you have an older heating oil tank, consider having it drained by a waste oil contractor. Removing sludge this way can save you money on repairs and help your heating system to perform better.
4. Treat your home heating oil fuel with a sludge preventer- No need to do this if you buy your fuel from us!  We treat every single gallon of home heating oil with Heat Max Pro.  Go to the fuel additives tab on this website to read more about Heat Max Pro and what it does to prevent sludge and keep your fuel running tip top!