Perhaps the biggest benefit of automatic oil and fuel delivery is that signing up for the service means you will have the fuel you need at the times when you need it most. You are likely to have the right amount of fuel before you need it, helping you to avoid a rush situation or the need to call for delivery when everyone else in Southern Maryland is doing the same thing. You can sit back and relax, knowing that you have plenty of heating fuel in the tank.

Along with helping you get the fuel you need, automatic delivery has a few more benefits.

1. Helps You Save Time

Think of all the things you need to do throughout the day, both at home and for your job. Now, think about how much time you can save if you can take one or more of those items off of your to-do list. 

Automatic fuel delivery services help you save time by eliminating the need to monitor your fuel tanks and the need to call for a fill-up or schedule a fill-up online. With automatic delivery, you have a team out there, tracking your fuel tanks for you. There is no need to call, explain your situation and give detailed information about where the tank is located each time you need a refill. 

Once you take “monitor and refill my fuel tank” off of your list of things to do, you might be surprised by how much time you gain. 

2. It Is Cost-Effective

The price of heating fuel can fluctuate based on several factors, such as market competition, the price of crude oil and seasonal demand. Even when the price of crude oil is relatively steady, the price of heating oil tends to spike in the winter months, because of an uptick in demand. With automatic fuel delivery, your tank typically gets filled before cold weather arrives when the prices tend to be lower. You can beat the rush for fuel and save yourself some money at the same time.

Automatic fuel delivery is cost-effective for another reason, too. By monitoring your own fuel levels, you run a higher risk of not noticing that you need fuel until it gets very low. In that case, you’ll need to schedule a last-minute, rush delivery at the peak of demand (this typically happens when temperatures drop). With automatic delivery, your tank will automatically be filled before it gets dangerously low, allowing you to avoid rush fees for your delivery or delays due to increased demand.

3. Budget Plans Are Available

As a home or business owner, you might keep a close eye on your budget and spending. You might not have the funds available to cover the full cost of a fuel delivery all at once. When you sign up for automatic fuel delivery from SMO Energy, you also have the option of signing up for a budget payment plan. 

Our SmartPay program is free for clients. Instead of asking you to pay upfront for fuel delivery, the SmartPay program divides the cost of your services, including fuel, tank lease fees and service agreements, into easy monthly payments. To determine how much you will pay each month, we estimate the number of gallons of fuel you are likely to use during the year, then add in the cost of additional services, such as a service plan or tank lease. Every so often, we will review your payment plan to make sure that what you pay each month is accurate.

If you end up using more fuel than initially anticipated under the SmartPay plan, you will not end up with a hefty bill at the end of the year. Instead, the additional amount due will get divided up and added to your remaining payments.

When you sign up for a budget payment plan, you have several payment options. You can use a credit card or check or schedule automatic monthly payments directly from your bank. 

4. Orders Will Be Consistent

With scheduled fuel delivery and will-call delivery, there is a fair amount of guesswork involved. When you set up a delivery schedule at the start of the year, you do not have a real idea of how the weather will be during the upcoming winter. You are basing your information on the past, which might not be accurate for the present or future.

With will-call delivery, you have the task of deciding when to order your next delivery. If you are not a fuel expert, you might wait until the levels in your tank are too low, or you might forget to schedule the delivery entirely.

Automatic delivery provides consistency. You will receive fuel when you need it, and you will receive the amount of fuel you need. 

How does SMO Energy know when to fill up your tank? We look at a variety of factors, and we use an algorithm that calculates your fuel needs based on weather conditions, the insulation and efficiency of your home, and your previous usage. The algorithm is regularly updated so that we have the most accurate information about your fuel needs. 

5. Gives You Peace of Mind

SMO Energy has been providing services to residents of Southern Maryland since 1926. Over the years, we have developed a reputation as a service provider you can trust. When you set up automatic delivery with us, you will gain peace of mind that your fuel tanks will not run dry and that you’ll have the fuel you need when you need it most. Some of the ways we help to ensure our client’s peace of mind and establish trust in the community include:

• Offering same-day delivery.** We get the fuel to you when you need it most.
• Offering more than just fuel delivery. Other services include tank installation and removal, tank warranty protection and equipment repair, service and replacement.
• Live client care representatives. We have a team of trained representatives standing by to answer your questions. Our full Client Care team is available 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we have emergency staff available to answer your call 24/7/365.
• No hidden fees. What you see is what you pay when it comes to our delivery fees.
• Round-the-clock emergency service. Should you have a problem with your heater in the middle of winter, we’ll be there for you. Our representatives can respond to heating emergencies any time and on any day.

6. Keeps Your Tank in Good Shape

Running out of fuel can be damaging to your tank and heating system. When your tank runs out of fuel, your heating system is likely to shut down since it is not getting the fuel it needs to keep going. You will likely need to call in a technician to restart the system after your fuel has been refilled. Running out of fuel can also cause sediment and sludge from the bottom of your tank to enter your heating system, potentially causing clogs in your fuel lines.

Keeping fuel in the tank helps it continue to operate consistently and minimizes unnecessary wear and tear on your entire system.