Winter is the busiest season for home heating oil delivery. Keeping your house warm during the colder months means an increase in oil consumption and the need to keep your tank full. Help drivers deliver the equipment successfully by taking the following steps to prepare your property.

How to Prepare for a Heating Oil Delivery in the Winter

1. Clear Debris

Debris from shrubs and trees can negatively impact your delivery. If rocks and branches obstruct the driver as they carry a hose to the intake pipe, they can cause injuries or damage the equipment. Trim back any overgrown bushes to keep walkways clear and remove obstacles preventing a seamless delivery experience.

2. Remove Ice and Snow

In some cases, winter weather means postponing your oil delivery until conditions improve. If you experience significant snowfall and the delivery hasn't been canceled, shovel the frost from the driveway prior to the driver's arrival. When there is too much snow on the path to your intake pipe, the delivery professional will have trouble accessing it. Clear all ice and use salt to minimize the driver's chance of slipping.

3. Make Your Home Accessible

If gates surround the intake pipe access point, make sure they are unlocked before the driver's arrival, especially if the delivery is scheduled for a time when no one is home. When a professional can't access the property, they may reschedule the appointment, causing a delay in delivery.

Snow, ice, and debris can also cover the house number. Make sure your address and location are highly visible to avoid any confusion. 

If you need to schedule your next home oil delivery, contact Ike's Fuel. In business for over half a century, this company is the only independent and family-owned heating oil supplier in Juneau, AK. With their auto-fill program, you never have to worry about running low on fuel. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (907) 364-3420 to sign up for automatic delivery.