In Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, heating is crucial to survive the winter. This applies to home heating, as well as commercial buildings and industrial sites. For those who use propane for heating, it is important to carefully choosing a propane provider.
How do you choose a propane delivery supplier? The first question to ask is whether you are in the propane supplier’s service area. You’d be wasting your time if they are not. Then you should ask the same questions you would normally ask when selecting a vendor: how long have they been in business? Do they have a good reputation? Is this their main line of business? When vetting propane service providers, you would prefer those have served your area for many years and avoid vendors that don’t have track records that you can verify.
Mishandling propane can have serious safety consequences. Therefore, it is important to choose a company with lots of experience in delivering, installing and maintaining propane. Ask the vendor about their commitment to propane safety. A professional propane supplier can tell you about their safety record and the regulatory programs they take. They will educate you on propane safety, what to do in an emergency, and the signs of a propane leak.
Speaking of emergency, being able to reach your propane provider in an emergency is critical. When there is a problem with your propane tank, you may need help immediately. You should choose a propane vendor that offers 24-hour emergency assistance, with a live service agent ready to assist you with any type of emergency, even in the middle of the night.
Now on to the good-to-have stuff:
Propane delivery
Good delivery service means that you don’t ever run out of propane. Automatic delivery is an option where the supplier knows when to deliver propane to you without you having to call them. You never run out of fuel because you forgot to check or to call. Of course, sometimes you really only want refills when you need it. Then the vendor should also be able to accommodate your requirement. Additionally, you want to check that the vendor has adequate staffing and trucks to service their customers. You don’t want to hire a company that is stretched so thin that they fail to deliver when you need it.
Propane tank delivery, installation and maintenance
Most propane suppliers offer installation and maintenance of your propane tank. You may choose to buy your tank or lease one for a monthly fee. Some suppliers offer free installation, a big savings because installation may cost thousands of dollars. If you sign up with a full service propane company that provides delivery, installation and maintenance and maybe even check your propane appliances, you can save a lot of time and have peace of mind.
Cost
Last but not least, you want to compare the costs. Everybody wants to save a buck here and there. But beware of extra fees. National propane gas companies sometimes offer low initial new customer rates but soon you’ll find that the fees add up to outweigh the initial savings. If you then switch to a local company, the national company may charge you a big termination fee.
Some propane suppliers offer a pre-buy program where you can buy propane in advance in the summer and have it delivered in winter. That way, you avoid buying propane when the prices spike in winter. It’s a cost-saving option that is worth investigating.
To find a propane supplier, it’s a good idea to get suggestions and referrals from family, neighbors, co-workers, and other people you know. You can also check the online reviews. Once you have a list of vendors, then evaluate your options and choose the one that best fits your needs.