How to Prepare Your New Home for Winter When You Use Heating Oil
With Valley Energy — Your Trusted Local Residential Heating Oil Partner
Moving into a new home is exciting, but if you use heating oil to keep your household warm, preparing for winter takes a little extra planning. At Valley Energy, we bring over 50 years of experience in the home heating oil industry, proudly delivering dependable, hometown service from a locally owned company. Whether this is your first winter using heating oil or you simply want to be more proactive this season, here’s how to stay warm, safe, and ready:
This guide is especially helpful for new homeowners throughout Northern Virginia who rely on residential heating oil to keep their homes warm and efficient through the cold winter months.
1. Schedule Your Delivery Early
Don’t wait for temperatures to drop before thinking about your fuel supply. Ordering your heating oil early helps you avoid seasonal price hikes and long delivery wait times. Scheduling in the fall ensures your tank is ready before the first cold snap hits.
2. Enroll in Automatic Delivery
Take the guesswork out of staying warm. Our automatic delivery service means you never have to remember when to order. We monitor your fuel usage and deliver before your tank runs low, giving you peace of mind all season long. With automatic delivery, heating oil deliveries are based on the “degree day” system. With this advanced program, we are able to dispatch an oil delivery when your tank level reaches approximately ¼. If you are set up as a will call-customer, it is your responsibility to call us when the tank gauge reads ¼. Please allow a minimum of 3 days for delivery, excluding weekends and holidays. We encourage you to order 150 gallons or more at a time.
Valley Energy wants our customers to enjoy the warm benefits of heating oil. With automatic deliveries we can provide our customers the ability to not have to worry about running out of oil.
If you are a will-call customer and have run out of oil, your furnace will require a visit from one of our service technicians and there is a $150 Prime & Start Fee for this. We recommend you call us when the gauge reads no less than ¼, as automatic customers are prioritized over will-call customers.
3. Get an Annual Tune-Up
Annual maintenance is crucial for preventing breakdowns during freezing temperatures. A professional tune-up helps extend the life of your heating system, boosts its efficiency, and identifies any potential issues before they become costly repairs.
4. Sign Up for Value or Premium Service Contracts
Valley Energy offers tailored service contracts designed to maintain your heating system’s efficiency and longevity. Our Value and Premium contracts include comprehensive maintenance programs to keep your furnace or boiler running smoothly. Our highly trained technicians, with years of hands-on experience, ensure your system is operating safely and reliably.
It’s best to schedule your system cleaning during the spring and summer months to ensure availability and have your system ready before the cold weather begins.
Value Plan (Available to both Will-Call and Automatic Delivery Customers):
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Free Efficiency Test
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Replacement of nozzle, oil filter cartridge, pump gasket, and pump strainer
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Cleaning, oiling, and adjusting burner
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Vacuuming of furnace/boiler
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Up to 1.5 hours of labor
Premium Plan (Available to Automatic Delivery Customers): Includes all Value Plan services mentioned above, PLUS:
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Preferential scheduling
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Repair/replacement of parts like oil pump, motor, transformer, thermostat, electrodes, and more (within 12 months of contract date)
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After-hours service billed at regular weekday rates (excluding covered parts)
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Standard trip charges apply\
5. Winterize Your Home
A well-sealed home uses less energy. Install weatherstripping around windows and doors, hang thermal-backed curtains to retain heat, and close off unused rooms to conserve warmth. These simple steps can significantly reduce your fuel consumption.
6. Monitor Your Tank & Clear the Path
Keep an eye on your oil levels, especially during periods of high use. Also, make sure your driveway and access to your tank’s fill pipe are clear of snow and ice so our delivery drivers can safely reach your system. Clear access ensures timely, uninterrupted deliveries.
How do I read my Heating oil gauge?
A heating oil gauge is installed on most above ground and basement tanks. When the gauge is down to ¼ it is time for a delivery. If you have an underground tank or your tank does not have a gauge it is highly recommended that your account is set on automatic delivery to avoid running out of oil during the cold winter months.
7. Choose the SmartPay Plan
Managing your heating costs is easier with our SmartPay Program. It breaks your annual fuel costs into 11 equal monthly payments, helping you avoid large seasonal bills. In the 12th month, we reconcile your account. Any overpayments can be refunded or applied to future balances, making budgeting stress-free.
Whether you’re located in Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Reston, Herndon, or nearby areas in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, and Northern Virginia, Valley Energy is your go-to partner for reliable heating oil delivery, system maintenance, and expert customer support.
Looking for heating oil services near you in Loudoun, Fairfax, or Northern Virginia? Contact Valley Energy today to learn more about our flexible plans, automatic delivery, and expert heating system care.