If you need a heating oil top-up or a service on your boiler, then it’s useful to know what steps to take to ensure everything runs smoothly. From making sure your tank is installed correctly, to providing aftercare once you’re a customer, we’ll make sure your home gets plenty of support from us here at Certas Energy.
But first, let us show you all the information you need when preparing for a heating oil delivery.
What is the heating oil delivery process?
At Certas Energy, we’ve made the heating oil delivery process simple. If you’re looking for an easy way to order heating oil, follow these simple step-by-step instructions:
Step 1 – Create an account
To start, you must first set up an account and provide us with a few basic details such as your name, address and telephone number. You will need to provide us with your billing details too. If relevant, this is also an opportunity to mention any special delivery instructions – for instance, if you live in a hard to reach area.
If you already have an account with us, just enter your login details on the ‘My Account’ page.
Step 2 – Select fuel type and quantity
Next, simply choose which type of oil you require and how many litres you need (between 500 and 5,000 litres). From here, we’ll agree on a quote and you can proceed to checkout. Please note that all quotes are valid only the day we issue them and each new order you place will require a separate contract.
At this point, you can also select a delivery date that best suits you.
Step 3 – Delivery
Once we have confirmed your order, we’ll then aim to have the oil with you by the date mentioned in your quote – if one hasn’t been set, within 30 days. We can deliver goods within England, Wales, and Scotland and, in some instances, we may deliver your order in instalments which will be invoiced and paid for separately.
How often should I order heating oil?
In terms of refilling your home heating oil tank, 1,000 litres should typically last for up to one year. However, this will depend on several factors, such as:
- The size of your house
- How often you use your heating
- The quality of your boiler
Every heating oil tank should be fitted with a gauge that measures how much oil is left in the tank. To help determine how much you use over a given period and how often you should refill it, you should keep a note of your usage. Also, it is advised that you leave your tank at a maximum of 80-90% capacity to prevent overflow.
How long do deliveries take?
When it comes to refilling your heating oil tank, you can typically expect to your delivery within 30 days of placing your order. If you specify a date before this period ends, we will aim to have the heating oil with you before by then. Please note that on occasion, some deliveries will be sent in stages depending on how much fuel you order and the size of the tanker requested.
Do I need to be at home for the delivery?
In general, if the driver has safe access to your tank then you don’t need to be on the premises for deliveries. However, if you are concerned about any potential access issues, you should let one of our representatives know beforehand to make any necessary arrangement. If you do need to be at home, we can set up a call on the day.
How do I ensure the delivery vehicle has appropriate access?
A standard tanker has six wheels and is around eight meters in length, meaning it should be able to access most properties. However, if your property is difficult for LGV vehicles to manoeuvre in then you may need a smaller, four-wheel tanker. This might apply to you if your property:
- Is on a narrow lane
- Has restricted access
- Has any obstacles, such as a weak or narrow bridge nearby
Once the tanker arrives, please note that our hoses are approximately 30 meters (100 feet) long. If your tank doesn’t accommodate for this, please notify us beforehand. For more information on tank storage regulations, read our heating oil tank installation guide.
Do I need to prepare my tank first?
Before making a delivery, one of our drivers will assess your tank to make sure that it is safe to access. They take into consideration its conditions, as well as its location on your property along with its height. To help streamline this process, there are a number of things you can take into account when preparing for a heating oil delivery.
These include:
- Ensuring there’s a strong base to support the tank and its contents
- Check for cracks and splits
- Ensure all gauges and alarms are working
- Remove any nearby obstacles that could prevent delivery
- Keep vents and gauges protected from rainwater
- Turn off your boiler
In terms of turning your boiler off, leaving it on when expecting a new delivery is a common cause of breakdowns. This is because a fresh delivery can stir up sediment water from the bottom of the tank, which can get sucked up into the pipe and cause clogging. You should leave your boiler off for as long as possible after delivery (a few hours) to allow for contaminants to settle.
For more information on heating oil delivery, read through our domestic FAQs.
