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Do I
need to
have my membership "accepted" by the supplier or the Co-op?
How much does
it cost?
I don’t see my
supplier listed. Why not?
How do I pick
a supplier?
What does the
“floating daily rate” mean?
Are
there multiple pricing options?
Are all your suppliers the same price?
Do your suppliers accept credit cards, LIHEAP or other payment arrangements?
Do your suppliers offer
service contracts?
I was enrolled last year. Do I have to enroll again this year?
Once I enroll, can I switch suppliers? Can I use any of your suppliers that
I want?
What is bioheating oil
and how can I get it?
Who do I
call to order oil?
How do I
find out the price?
Are
there any cancellation fees?
Are there any reasons
not to join the Co-op?
I need help paying my heating bills, can you help me? Do you have a free oil
program?
Have a question you don't see here?
Email heatingoil@TheEnergy.Coop
or call 215 413 2122.
Do I need to have my membership "accepted" by the supplier or the Co-op?
The Energy Cooperative is happy to accept anyone interested in becoming a
member – even if you don’t use one of our services and want to be a “member
only.” If we do have a supplier available in your area, then you will more
than likely have no problem getting your account established with the
supplier of your choice. Be aware, however, that some suppliers do require
safety instruments such as a whistle on your tank. The Co-op will help our
members work with any of our suppliers, but suppliers reserve the final
right to refuse service.
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How much does it
cost?
Membership in the Co-op costs $15 for residences and $30 for commercial
entities/organizations/ landlords annually. Individuals in low income
households can choose an exemption from this fee. There are no specific
income requirements or proof of income to qualify.
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I don’t see my
supplier listed. Why not?
The Co-op works only with a select group of suppliers with whom we have
established relationships to get our members the best prices and service
available.
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How do I pick
a supplier?
On our website there’s a list of zip code to determine which supplier is in
your area. You should review the options available through each supplier to
determine which best meets your needs.
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What does the “floating
daily rate” mean?
The floating daily rate is the price set by The Energy Cooperative based on
the daily wholesale market price and then marked up for each supplier based
on contracted fixed margins.
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Are
there multiple pricing options?
Some of our suppliers do have pricing options such as capped price programs
or pre-pay programs, which most people sign up for by the end of the
summer. Many of the other pricing options include enrollment or other
additional fees. Most of our members use the floating daily rate.
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Are all your suppliers the same price?
No. Each supplier has a different agreed upon fixed margin above the
daily wholesale rate. These contracted rates are reviewed
periodically, but generally only between heating seasons.
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Do your suppliers accept credit cards, LIHEAP or other payment arrangements?
Most of our suppliers offer several payment options including credit cards,
COD, billing, LIHEAP, etc. Each supplier may have specific requirements
related to each payment option, so it is important to review that
information prior to enrolling or in greater detail with the supplier once
enrolled.
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Do your suppliers offer
service contracts?
Most do, but some do not. Individual supplier information sheets will
specify whether service contracts are available. Included parts and labor varies
from supplier to supplier. For service contract terms and prices, it is
best to contact the supplier directly.
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I was enrolled last year. Do I have to enroll again this year?
Even if you are sticking with the same supplier, we ask that all
members renew to keep their information and dues current. It is also a good
idea at the start of the heating season to be in touch with your supplier to
get updated information from the previous season.
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Once I enroll, can I switch suppliers? Can I use any of your suppliers
that I want?
You are free to make changes or cancel your membership at any time.
However, members can only be enrolled with one supplier at a time, so if a
change needs to be made from one supplier to another, members should
complete a new enrollment form either on the website or via mail. Because
our suppliers are all on a fixed margin and prices change relative to one
another, there is no need to worry about which is the cheapest from one day to
the next.
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What is bioheating oil
and how can I get it?
Bioheating oil is a blend of conventional No. 2 heating oil and biodiesel, a
fuel derived from vegetable oils and animal fats instead of petroleum.
It is a cleaner-burning, more environmentally friendly and sustainable
source of home heating oil. To determine if bioheating oil is available in your area, use our zip code list to see what
suppliers are in your area and then enroll for the bioheating oil supplier
of your choice. If no suppliers in your zip code offer bioheating oil and you are
interested, let us know; we’re always working on expanding the availability
of bioheating oil to new areas.
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Who do I
call to order oil?
Members contact their supplier directly to place orders, make service
requests, make payments, etc. Essentially, you retain the same basic
relationship you have with an oil company, but you save money!
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How do I
find out the price?
Prices are listed on our website and updated daily. It is always good to
mention that you’re a Co-op member and verify the price when placing an order. You can always call the Co-op for any
questions related to oil prices, or check our website.
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Are
there any cancellation fees?
No, there are no cancellation fees for the Co-op; however, fees related to
service contracts or similar agreements made directly with Co-op suppliers
may still apply if you cancel your service with an oil company.
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Are there any reasons
not to join the Co-op?
No! Join the Co-op:
To save on your heating oil costs and to help others do the same.
To receive a fair price based on the area wholesale price,
updated every day, represents the lowest price available from the supplier, and verified by a third party.
To have the Co-op on your side to make sure you are being treated fairly,
and to use an oil company you trust with whom the Co-op has an established
relationship.
Assuming there is a supplier(s) available in your area and that supplier
provides the options you want, there’s no reason not to join. It is
important to review the minimum requirements (delivery notice, delivery
quantity, payment terms) for each supplier. If you cannot meet those
minimum requirements, you may not receive the Co-op member price and joining
the Co-op may not be right for you.
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I need help paying my heating bills, can you help me? Do you have a free oil
program?
No, we’re not an agency directly that is involved in low income assistance;
however, the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) had a free oil program in
the past. ECA is available online at
www.ecasavesenergy.org or by
calling 215 988 0929. The ECA also works with a group of Neighborhood
Energy Centers which help individuals manage their energy options.
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