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Enrollment and Membership
Pricing and Payment
Delivery and Service
Bioheat
Have a question that you don't see answered here?
Email heatingoil@TheEnergy.Coop
or call 215 413 2122
What
does it mean to be a member? Do I need to join to get heating oil?
Yes, to use The Energy Cooperative's programs, you do need to become a
member. Our membership is comprised of thousands of heating oil and
electricity consumers across the Delaware Valley and this considerable
group-buying power enables The Energy Cooperative to negotiate with local
energy suppliers so that we can bring down energy costs and choose more
sustainable energy sources. As a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative, our
top priority is providing members with affordable, sustainable energy, not
turning a profit for outside investors or special interests.
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How much
does membership cost?
Membership dues are paid annually and cost $15 for households and $30 for organizations,
businesses, or landlords. Members who are experiencing financial
constraints may request a dues waiver. No proof of income or operating budget is
required.
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What if I'm already a
member for electricity?
You will still need to complete an enrollment for heating oil, but your
existing membership covers both services.
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How do I pick
a supplier?
Visit our suppliers page where there’s a list of zip codes to determine which suppliers
service your zip code. Not all suppliers offer the same options or are
priced the same. You should review the options available through each supplier
available in your area to
determine which best meets your needs.
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Can my enrollment be rejected by the supplier or
The Co-op?
Although the Energy Cooperative is happy to accept anyone interested in becoming a
member, some suppliers do require
safety instruments such as a whistle on your tank before they will deliver
oil. Also, certain payment methods require a credit check and if not
approved, the supplier will not set up a delivery unless a satisfactory
payment method can be arranged. 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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What happens
after I enroll?
After you enroll, we’ll send a confirmation letter (either by email or USPS)
welcoming you to The Heating Oil Program and outlining how to schedule your
first delivery from your new supplier.
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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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Who do I contact if I
need to make changes?
If you need to make changes regarding your membership (contact info,
address, etc), call our office and we’ll update your record accordingly. If
you need to make changes regarding your delivery status (i.e. switching from
automatic to will call service) or billing information, you should contact
your supplier directly.
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I don’t see my
supplier listed. Why not?
The Co-op only works 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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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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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 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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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 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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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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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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I need help paying my heating bills, can you help me? Do you have a free oil
program?
No, we’re not an agency that is directly involved in low
income assistance. Please contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) hotline at 866-857-7095 to learn more about payment assistance options.
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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 get a fair and
transparent price!
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What
delivery options are available?
The majority of our suppliers offer both will-call and automatic delivery
options. Requirements generally apply, so it’s important to carefully read
your supplier’s information sheet before choosing your new oil company.
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Are
there minimum order requirements?
Yes. For will call delivery service, the minimum gallon requirement for each
delivery is either 125 gallons or 150 gallons. The minimum requirement
amount depends on the oil company you’ve selected. To find out more, please
refer to your supplier’s information page on our website or call our office.
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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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Do
your suppliers buy unused oil if I convert to natural gas?
Suppliers do not buy back unused oil, but some oil companies are willing to
“pump out” the existing oil in your tank for a fee. Call your oil supplier
to see if this option exists.
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What is
Bioheat?
Bioheat is
the industry-accepted term for any blend of pure biodiesel with conventional
high or low sulfur home heating oil. Both the heating oil and biodiesel must
meet its specification set by the American Society for Testing And Materials
(ASTM) before being blended together.
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What is
biodiesel?
Biodiesel is
alternative fuel derived from vegetable oils, waste grease and animal fats
that meets the quality standards set by ASTM.
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Is Bioheat
the same as biodiesel?
No. Biodiesel
is a term for the pure biodiesel, B100. Bioheat is standard heating oil
mixed with biodiesel.
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Do all suppliers offer Bioheat? How can I sign
up for it?
If you're signed up with Cardinal, Patriot or Worley & Obetz, you're
already receiving Bioheat. Members signed up with Rhoads have the option
to get Bioheat or standard heating oil. Currently, all of our other suppliers only provide
standard heating oil. To start receiving Bioheat, refer to the Clean
Heat designated suppliers on our suppliers list and enroll with an available
Bioheat supplier. If there are no Bioheat suppliers in your zip code
and you're interested, let us know; we’re always working on expanding the
availability of Bioheat.
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Is
biodiesel the same thing as raw vegetable oil, cooking oil or animal fat?
Can those materials be blended with heating oil to create Bioheat?
No. Biodiesel
is produced from raw vegetable oils, waste grease or animal fats, but the
oils or fats must go thought a chemical reaction process called
transesterfication to make it into biodiesel. All biodiesel must meet the
quality standards set by ASTM before it is blended with heating oil.
Untreated or only partially treated oils not meeting ASTM specifications can
accelerate stability and contamination issues, additional cold flow
concerns, and increase hazardous emissions.
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Do oil
burner manufacturers recommend the use of Bioheat with their equipment?
At this time
the emergence of Bioheat is much too new for burner manufacturers to comment
on. However, in work accomplished throughout the Northeast, organizations
like Carlin, Beckett and Power Flame (notable burner manufactures) all are
reviewing Bioheat. Bioheat appears to have little or no negative impact on
a burner’s performance while providing emissions, sulfur, lubricity, global
warming and health benefits.
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What about
my oil tank – is it compatible with Bioheat?
All known oil
tanks and systems are compatible with Bioheat at blends of 20% or less. For
biodiesel blends higher than 20%, compatibility will depend on the materials
(metals, plastics and rubber parts) in your tanks, pumps and fuel lines.
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Are there
any other precautions for storage and handling of Bioheat?
The same exact standard storage and handling procedures used for heating
oil should be used for Bioheat. The fuel should be stored in a clean, dry,
dark environment.
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Can I
blend Bioheat myself?
Adding Bioheat to
your tank of conventional heating oil will not cause any problems as the
products have been mixed thoroughly by your heating oil supplier. Although
it is possible to purchase pure biodiesel (B100), add it to conventional
heating oil, and create your own Bioheat, it is not recommended. Pouring
biodiesel into a stationary tank will not provide sufficient mixing and a
pocket of pure biodiesel could form along the walls or on the bottom of the
tank. This can result in an increased incidence of filter plugging and other
materials compatibility problems associated with B100 but that are not found
in blends of 20% and lower.
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Who can
answer additional questions about Bioheat?
In addition
to contacting The Energy Cooperative, the
National Biodiesel Board maintains
the largest library of Bioheat and biodiesel information in the world.
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