Learn more about heating oil!
If you use heating oil to keep your Western New York home warm and comfortable, or if you are new to heating oil, you may have some questions about it.
NOCO is here to help! We provide reliable heating oil delivery and oil-fired home heating systems. Our team of professionals will make sure you get the heating oil services you need.
Let’s get started on some common questions when it comes to heating oil.
What is heating oil?
No. 2 heating oil and diesel fuels are distillates that have been produced from crude oil and have a low viscosity. While No. 2 heating oil has a nearly identical chemical makeup as diesel fuels, they are used for different purposes.
Since it is not used for transportation, No.2 heating oil does not have the federal excise tax levied against it. Therefore, it is dyed red, like off-road diesel fuel that also isn’t taxed, so anyone can tell the difference between it and on-road diesel that is subject to the excise tax.
No. 2 fuel oil is often referred to as home heating oil or fuel oil in order to avoid being confused with diesel fuel.
How do I know when to order more heating oil?
If you use Will-Call for your heating oil delivery, it is your responsibility to frequently check your heating oil tank gauge, so you know when to request a delivery. We urge our customers not to let their tank fall below 30% full before ordering more heating oil.
Here’s how to check your tank gauge levels.:
On top of your heating oil tank, look for the transparent plastic tube with markings on it that resemble car fuel gauge numbers: F, ¾, ½, and so on. There is a red marker or a float inside the tube that informs you how much heating oil is in the tank.
There’s an easier way: Sign up for NOCO’s Automatic Delivery! We track your heating oil usage with the latest technology to calculate when you’ll need more heating oil and make the delivery before you run low. You don’t have to lift a finger!
What should I do if I have no heat?
First, check to see if your thermostat is working properly and that the batteries are still good. Then, check your heating oil tank gauge. If you’ve run out of heating oil, we offer 24/7 emergency delivery for our customers. If you suspect the problem is your furnace or boiler, contact us for 24/7 no-heat emergency service.
How is heating oil different than it used to be?
The heating oil business has been working hard to develop a more ecologically friendly fuel that is also less harmful to the environment as part of its mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. In recent decades, there have been significant changes.
Since 2012, New York has required that all heating oil delivered be ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO), which has 15 parts per million (PPM) or less sulfur content. Traditional No. 2 heating oil contains an average of 4,000 ppm. This big reduction in sulfur dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions while helping your heating system run smoother and with better energy efficiency.
Another advancement is the introduction of biodiesels to heating oil. Biodiesels, which are made from renewable resources such as plant oils and algae, can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil while also making heating oil cleaner burning.
From Syracuse to Rochester and everywhere in-between, NOCO offers dependable heating oil delivery and quality equipment service. Become a customer today!
