Tevis Oil and Modern Comfort Systems'
Frequently Asked Questions

Oil Pricing FAQs • Oil FAQs • Propane FAQs

Do you deliver to my area?

Click here and enter your zip code to find out if you live in our delivery and service area.

Why have prices jumped so rapidly?

Supply, demand, and speculation.  Rapidly growing economies, like China and India are having a dramatic impact on worldwide demand for oil, while unknown winter temperatures make it hard to predict winter demand for oil.

Similar worldwide and regional factors affect the supply side.  Circumstances in major oil-producing regions affect global suply.  Here, in the U.S., if we experience a mild winter, fuel inventories (fuel that is ready to be delivered for consumption) build up, and prices typically decrease.  Conversely, colder-than-expected temperature cause prices to increase as invesntories decrease.

How long will these high prices last?

We wish we knew. We strongly recommend that customers adjust their household budgets in anticipation that higher fuel prices will persist through the winter. If you are not currently on our Custom Monthly Payment (CMP) program, please call to see if this is an option for you.  CMP spreads your fuel cost into lower and equal monthly payments, and enrollment is free.

How can I save energy and reduce my heating bills?

Click to navigate to our Money Saving Tips & Investments page.

Are Tevis’ fuel supplies at risk?

No. Tevis’ fuel supply is extremely secure and more than adequate to meet the needs of our existing customers, plus any new customers that desire the quality and service that Tevis provides.

Does Tevis make a larger profit while prices are high?

No. Just the opposite! Our profits shrink during price spikes because we absorb a portion of the price increase to help protect our customers and remain competitive.

Can I save money by changing heating oil companies?

Probably not.  All companies are experiencing these same price increases.  Selecting a fuel company based on price alone rarely produces the saving you expect, and could put your hame and family at risk. For the best value, look at more than just cost per gallon.

In addition to competitive prices, Tevis Oil's lower-sulfur heating oil provides better fuel efficiency and longer burner life than standard heating oil.  With Tevis, you can expect to use up to 10% less oil, depending on the condition of your heating system.* 

At today's prices, that is a savings that can make a real difference in your heating costs.  And because Tevis is a full service fuel company, you can count on us for a consistent supply of high-quality fuel and reliable service.

*To get the best fuel efficiency, be sure to have your burner tuned up each year.  Click here for more info about tune-ups.

Should I use a lower quality oil while prices are high?

No. When oil prices increase, quality becomes even more important! Tevis’ fortified, lower-sulfur heating oil is competitively priced, provides better fuel efficiency, and helps prolong the life of your furnace or boiler. Don’t sacrifice your heating equipment for a few pennies per gallon. Tevis does not charge more for the premium, lower-sulfur oil that we deliver.

How can I be sure I’m getting the best performance from my heating equipment?

In addition to Tevis’ lower-sulfur heating oil, we always recommend that you have your heating system tuned up before the heating season begins. Adding programmable thermostats and upgrading older equipment can also increase fuel efficiency by up to 30%. For more information, call Modern Comfort Systems today at 410-848-2200 or 410-876-1022.   Click here for more info about tune-ups.

My grandmother used heating oil and it was smoky and smelly. Has that changed?

Yes! Heating oil burns much cleaner than it did even 15 years ago! In fact today’s heating oil burns just as cleanly as natural gas. And like televisions and cars, oil burning equipment has changed a great deal in the past 30 years. New-generation oil burning equipment is very efficient and produces low emissions. Tevis’ exclusive blend of lower-sulfur heating oil burns even cleaner and provides better fuel efficiency than the standard #2 heating oil delivered by other oil companies.

When I'm getting an oil delivery, I've noticed a whistling sound while the tank is filling. What is that?

The whistle is a safety feature of your oil tank. When the deliveryman fills your tank, the oil displaces air, which leaves the tank through a separate vent. As the air escapes, it passes a device that whistles, just like a tea kettle! When the fill is complete, there is almost no air left and the whistler device quiets. The silence tells the deliveryman that the tank is full. Pretty neat!

Do I need to be home to get oil delivered?

No. Unless your account is set up for cash on delivery, we can deliver fuel anytime without anyone being home. If you have pets, please ensure their safety and the safety of our delivery personnel by properly securing all pets.

What is the average amount of oil a house will use?

Fuel usage depends many on many factors including size, insulation, system efficiency, and household habits. Please give us a call for free fuel usage estimate.

Will you deliver more oil if I’m on automatic delivery?

No. We schedule deliveries when our computerized delivery system projects that your tank is between 1/3 and 1/2 full. Smaller, more frequent deliveries are inefficient and would drive fuel prices up unnecessary. We do everything we can to keep our fuel prices as low as possible!

How do you know when it's time to deliver oil to my home?

We count "degree days" to calculate how cold it has been. The average temperature on a given day is measured in degree-days. The colder it is, the more degree-days there are.

The number of heating degree days for one day is roughly equal to 65° minus the average temperature on that day.

How do you track our oil usage?

We track the average number of gallons per delivery and compare that to the number of degree days to develop a use rating called a "K factor." Each household has their own rating. It's a lot like rating your home's "miles per gallon."

Do you try to schedule deliveries when fuel prices are the highest?

No. If you are on automatic delivery, your deliveries are based on degree-day forecasting and your home’s K factor. Fuel prices fluctuate constantly. Trying to schedule deliveries according to these fluctuations would be impractical. For more information, please click here.

What is your No "Run-Out" Guarantee?

We're so confident in our ability to make timely automatic deliveries that we guarantee that you will not run out of oil. If you run out of oil because we failed to properly schedule your delivery, we will give you $50 worth of oil for free!

I believe I am out of oil, when I hit on my oil tank it sounds empty even though my gauge says I have oil.

All tanks sound empty even when full, hitting and banging on the tank is not reliable to gauge fuel levels. If you think you are running low on fuel, please call us. We will look at your account and help you assess your need for a delivery.

When there are severe winter storms how do you plan fuel deliveries?

Our delivery team keeps a close watch on weather forecasts to anticipate extreme weather, especially snow and ice storms. By using our sophisticated delivery projection system we know when you will need delivery and make adjustments to your delivery cycle based on weather forecasts. We also do our best to deliver to customers with difficult driveways before storms make driveways impassable.

What can I do to help my delivery person when we have bad weather?

• Before snow covers the ground place, a stake with a colored grocery bag or ribbon on it to mark the location of your oil tank fill.
• In times of very deep snow uncover the fill pipe. Your delivery person would also appreciate it if you clear a path to your full pipe.
• If you have a long driveway remember that a delivery truck is much wider than a car. When plowing your drive have it plowed wide enough for the delivery truck.

Do your delivery trucks have snowplows?

No, it is your responsibility to make you driveway accessible if we need to use it to deliver your fuel.

Why can’t the delivery person leave the delivery ticket in my mailbox?

US Postal regulations prohibit anyone other than the resident of the home from opening your mailbox.

Should I keep my oil tank full during the summer?

Keeping your oil tank nearly full during the summer reduces the amount of condensation that will occur in your tank. Condensation occurs naturally when it is cooler inside the tank compared to the outside temperature. This trapped moisture can lead to bacteria growth and the development of sediment, as bacteria die and fall to the bottom of your tank.

I've noticed some oil on the floor under my tank. Do I need a new tank?

Possibly, but not necessarily. You may just have a loose fitting or a leak in the oil line. If your tank has rust along its bottom or is showing any signs of “weepage” (which may appear as an oily stain on the tank) call us immediately to schedule an estimate for tank replacement. Do not try to remove rust from the bottom of your oil tank!

Is it best to have my oil tank outside my home or in my basement?

Oil tanks can be installed in your basement or outside your home. Some are installed inside garages, and others are specifically designed to be buried underground. Outside above ground tanks do require additional care to resist rusting and condensation. Click here for more information about oil tanks.

Are all heating oil tanks ugly?

We don’t think so, but we’re biased. Today’s modern oil tanks come in various forms, sizes and there are specially design enclosures that are attractive to use when you tank is located outside your home.

Is it OK to plant bushes around and in front of my oil tank fill?

You can plant near your oil tank fill; however; your delivery person needs enough clearance to be able to access your tank with out obstructions.

I supplement my oil heat with a wood stove (or other type of fuel).  Will that affect my automatic deliveries?

All sources of heat should be reflected in our delivery projections for your home.  Please call us if you begin or stop using a supplemental heat source.
Please See How To Keep from Running Out of Oil

My mother-in-law is moving in for a few months. Will that affect my automatic deliveries?

Yes, additional occupants in your home need to be taken into consideration, especially if you use oil or propane for hot water.
Please See How To Keep from Running Out of Oil

Is oil safe?

Yes. Heating oil is one of the safest fuels ever developed. Oil produces low emissions, is biodegradable, and it won't burn in a liquid state. If a lit match were dropped into a container of heating oil, the oil would extinguish the flame, just like water does!  To be ignited, oil must be vaporized. This only occurs under pressure at 140°F.

Properly set and maintained oil burners produce very low, safe levels of carbon monoxide as a normal part of the combustion process. And if there is ever a malfunction in your heating system, there's little or no need to worry about an explosion or the release of carbon monoxide into your home.

Where is the pilot light on my oil burner?

Unlike some gas systems, oil furnaces have an electronic ignition system and do not require an open flame.

Can I stick some lighted paper or a match in the furnace if it doesn’t light?

NO! Never put any sort of foreign object into the firebox of any heating system.

Why should I have my oil furnace serviced every year?

In order to maintain efficiency, parts such as nozzle, oil line filter and air filters should be replaced regularly. Motors also need lubrication and controls should be maintained within the manufacturers specifications. An annual tune-up will help you avoid emergency repair calls.

What can I do when my heating system shuts down? I have no heat?

Visit our Troubleshooting Section

How many times can I push the restart button?

Once or twice only! Pushing the restart button repeatedly will cause your firebox to flood and heating oil, unlike gasoline, does not evaporate, thus making a lot of noise once it is started. Although rare, flooding the firebox could be a fire hazard.

Do you deliver to my area?
Click here and enter your zip code to find out if you live in our delivery and service area.

What is Propane?

Propane is a liquid stored under pressure in tanks and cylinders. In most systems, propane is vaporized to gas before it leaves the tank or cylinder and is then dispensed through a pressure regulator to your appliance or furnace.  In its natural state, propane is an odorless, colorless gas. A chemical odorant is added to propane to give it a distinctive smell so its presence can be detected.  Propane is a convenient, versatile, and economical fuel for vehicles and appliances (such as ranges, water heaters, and furnaces).
Source: http://www.rullbros.com/safety.htm

Are Propane and Natural Gas the Same Thing?

Propane is a product extracted during the distillation of crude oil. Natural gas is a product taken directly from the ground, and is a combination of several different, naturally occurring gases.

Under pressure, propane changes from a gas into liquid propane gas (LPG). Propane is transported and stored in its liquid state. Propane equipment allows LPG to return to its gaseous state, which is burned in the large variety of efficient propane appliances available today.

Natural gas is delivered through a network of buried pipes directly to a consumer’s home.

Because propane is a more consistent product than natural gas, propane appliances can be designed for higher efficiency.

What is and is Tevis Certified?

Yes, Tevis is GasCheck™ certified. GasCheck™ is a voluntary, nationwide propane safety program developed by the National Propane Gas Association . A GasCheck is performed on your equipment to ensure it is in proper working condition, and also includes a homeowner education component covering the safe operation of their propane system.

A GasCheck should always be performed after adding a new appliance, making any changes or repairs to your system, when changing propane delivery companies, or every two years to ensure safe operation.

This 1-3 hour system check includes:

A homeowner must be present in order for us to perform the GasCheck. We must have access to all propane appliances, piping, and the homeowner must sign-off that they are aware of the results of the GasCheck.

Does outdoor temperature cause my cylinder to lose propane?

Not at all.  Propane is stored in a liquid state, and temperature affects its density.  As temperature drops, the liquid contracts, sometimes enough to change the reading on the guage.  A cylinder filled on a hot day may appear to lose propane as temperature drops, even though the cylinder contains the same amount of liquid propane. 

The reverse is also true:  a cylinder filled on a cool day may appear to gain propane if temperature increases rapidly.  A good rule of thumb is a 1.5% difference in volume for every 10 degrees of temperature change.