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Looking for my parents' house... they have a newer burner - about 5 years now, which has given them zero problems but have had service contracts since it was put in. It's unnecessary according to the burner's track record so I'm thinking COD this year. Save about $160 on the contract and more on the per/gal price.
- what do you guys with COD do when there's a problem?
- are annual tuneups really necessary with newer burners and how much does it run without a service contract? Do plumbers do them?
- what COD companies are reputable? I know I can get a list from codfuel.com but I'm looking for references here. We're near Nassau/Suffolk border.
I would suggest that you continue with a service contact. The burner needs to be cleaned every year, and that usually comes with the contract. Also, burners have a way of breaking down on the coldest night of the year and if you don't have a service contract you may have a hard time finding a repairman to come to the house.
well I'm no expert. I was doing tuneups every other year. I think I paid around 100, maybe 125 for each. I also have an old burner. you do save a bit on the price. I've used CODfuel.com which was fine. I was getting better pricing from Randazzo Fuel in west babylon and used them a lot.
the only "issue" with them, and some COD companies, is that they just do oil deliveries. they have a number for a boiler tech, but he's seperate, basically anything outside an oil deliverary you have to get someone else to do it.
If the unit is so new, try to get the oil company to waive the cost of the maintenance contract. My company did that years ago when I started with them and my burner is no longer so "new".
I never understood people who buy oil from companies that "include" service of their burner. Let me ask you - do you think the "included" service is up to the same standard as an independent guy who earns a living solely from doing maintenance? Maybe - maybe not - but my guess is not.
My folks installed a new burner in their house in 1990 - have a good technician clean and service it every September and have never had a problem or emergency. I live in a house with a near 20 year old system and have it serviced every fall as well - never had a problem. Yes - on the very rare occasion that something might happen - I'd have to wait for my service guy to get to me - OK - not the end of my world and certainly worth all those fill-ups where I saved $$ by buying COD.
Now - if you are talking about an elderly or house-bound individual with no one to rely on - then maybe a different story. In the end - do what ever makes you sleep good at night - right?
If that's the going rate, it doesn't look like we'd save that much except for $/gal. With the service contract they come at all hours of the night too, which at my old place was a godsend. Right, now this house doesn't need it though. I think we can do COD for a year and save $160 + (.40c*200gal * number of fill-ups in the year). That's a lot of money... assuming the .40c/gal savings figure is accurate.
If that's the going rate, it doesn't look like we'd save that much except for $/gal. With the service contract they come at all hours of the night too, which at my old place was a godsend. Right, now this house doesn't need it though. I think we can do COD for a year and save $160 + (.40c*200gal * number of fill-ups in the year). That's a lot of money... assuming the .40c/gal savings figure is accurate.
You're spot on. Newer systems like yours can go 2-3 years without a hiccup. Most likely you will only need a filter change which the COD guys can do for cheap. Meanwhile you'll be saving yourself $400 just on the oil (assuming 1000 gallons yr) and $160 for the contract.. save about $500/year going COD.
I never understood people who buy oil from companies that "include" service of their burner. Let me ask you - do you think the "included" service is up to the same standard as an independent guy who earns a living solely from doing maintenance? Maybe - maybe not - but my guess is not.
I don't think you can make that general assumption. The oil company I use has three service techs (they are a small family run company). Between the three of them they have close to 100 years of experience. Don't know how you can say that some guy moonlighting from his regular service job will perform better when you call him at 2am to come fix your old boiler.
Looking for my parents' house... they have a newer burner - about 5 years now, which has given them zero problems but have had service contracts since it was put in. It's unnecessary according to the burner's track record so I'm thinking COD this year. Save about $160 on the contract and more on the per/gal price.
- what do you guys with COD do when there's a problem?
- are annual tuneups really necessary with newer burners and how much does it run without a service contract? Do plumbers do them?
- what COD companies are reputable? I know I can get a list from codfuel.com but I'm looking for references here. We're near Nassau/Suffolk border.
Thanks.
My burner is 3 years old and yes, I dumped the contract and saved a bunch of money. IMO, oil companies charge .60-1.00 more per gallon for the contract.
Yes, a tuneup is important and can be done for $75.00.
Looking for my parents' house... they have a newer burner - about 5 years now, which has given them zero problems but have had service contracts since it was put in. It's unnecessary according to the burner's track record so I'm thinking COD this year. Save about $160 on the contract and more on the per/gal price.
- what do you guys with COD do when there's a problem?
- are annual tuneups really necessary with newer burners and how much does it run without a service contract? Do plumbers do them?
- what COD companies are reputable? I know I can get a list from codfuel.com but I'm looking for references here. We're near Nassau/Suffolk border.
Thanks.
Hey. Read this whole thread and had to add a coupla three things.
Yes you can save some loot on COD. But there are pros and cons to service contracts and they weren't all covered here so here goes:
-With a contract you get automatic delivery, GUARANTEED delivery when you need it. If you call Joe Schmoe from Idaho Oil because he charges 2.50/gal, you're chit out of luck if his well is dry.
-Plumbers may tune up your boiler, but at 3AM, you want to call an oil specialist. Plumbers will charge you the emergency call rate, then may not have the right parts to fix your problem. Oil guys usually tend to have the most needed parts stocked on their trucks already(and experience with common issues...oil is problematic and fickle)
-That said, on the coldest night when all the oild guys are busy, guess where your non contracted butt is in the pecking order...and be prepared for the Preparation H when you get the bill...When shopping service contracts, it's wise to look at what parts are COVERED...that means FREE when you call at 3AM...plumbers charge a flat fee just to ring your bell during off hours, and it's pretty damn high. The repair and any needed parts are extra. The bottom line is, always, the bottom line.
You do pay more but you have peace of mind that your butt is covered if there's an issue, you never have to worry about getting your oil, and most common repairs are free, (note the word COMMON because oil craps out a LOT, without a contract you pay for a service call, parts, and labor).
You should tune your boiler every year, it's not just cleaning and filters, there are parts that need to be inspected & changed, the chimney draft needs to be tested and adjusted (this will assure you there is no CO2 issues with your stack). The thought that a service company would not do its due diligence in tuning up your boiler is counter-productive. Of course they want your boiler running tip top, so they don't get those late night calls. It is the extra money you pay for the oil that pays their techs for those calls. That is their profit margin and they won't cut corners with it.
If you go COD, take some of that money you save and buy a few good electric heaters, for when your boiler craps out and you can't find any help. It never happens on the warm nights...trust me.
DOOO
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