graham, Author at Evesons Fuels

FAQs – Ordering

Q. Why is the minimum order 500 litres, why can I not just order 200 litres?

A. Our minimum order is 500 litres. Unfortunately, we don’t offer deliveries for less than 500 litres so that we can ensure our customers receive the best value from our services.

Q. Is heating oil safe to use?

A. Yes domestic heating oil is very safe. It is considered one of the the safest type of heat, it warms your home quickly, safely and cost effectively.

Q. Do I need to be present when the delivery is being made?

A. We don’t need you to be at home for a delivery, as long as our driver can access your tank easily and it isn’t locked.

Q What is premium kerosene?

A. Our premium kerosene improves the efficiency of your system by enabling the fuel to burn better. Your boiler will run at its most efficient, immediately. Premium kerosene reduces the amount of sooty build-up to keep your boiler running better for longer.

It also helps to maintain your boilers optimum performance resulting in improved efficiency, lower CO2 emissions and using less fuel to heat your home.

Q. Is there a best time of year to purchase heating oil?

A. It is always best to fill your tank before the winter months. When the heating season begins, delivery times may be increased due to high demand and prices can also rise.

Q. Why do fuel prices change?

A. The wholesale price which we buy your heating oil at constantly fluctuates. We continuously monitor the wholesale price of the heating oil we supply and we buy from all of the major oil companies to ensure we can offer you the best prices possible.

Q. I have just moved into a property with oil heating, how much oil should I purchase?

A. You can have your tank filled or you may want to budget a certain amount of money. However the minimum order is 500litres.

Q. Where is my delivery?

A. The order confirmation provides you with the latest date that your order will be delivered. Please be aware this is an estimated time.at very busy periods of high demand there may be a delay however the supplier always will aim to deliver on time.

Q. Can a delivery be made by a smaller tanker?

A. Yes we have access to smaller vehicles. Please note you only need to select the small vehicle if for example you have a miniature dust cart to collect your waste.

Q. How much is VAT on fuel?

A. There is 5% VAT on all heating oil deliveries for domestic customers to their homes. For commercial customers, including farms, there is 5% VAT on orders less than 2,300 litres. For deliveries greater than 2,301 litres, commercial customers pay 20% VAT on the whole delivery.

Q. How do I pay for my fuel?

A. We currently accept Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard and American Express payments via our website.

Q. Can I cancel my order?

A. You can cancel the order before the delivery has been scheduled. Please email us if you wish to cancel.

Heating oil theft prevention

Tips for heating oil tank security

Heating oil, thieves will usually pump oil from your tank into other containers. Thieves might use this oil themselves, or sell it on. There have even been reports of criminals selling stolen oil back to the victim.

Data from police forces across England suggests heating oil theft is most prevalent in the first three months of the year when tanks are likely to be full and the days are short. However, thefts occur year-round, so it pays to be vigilant at all times.

Keep your tank out of sight

If installing a new tank, you should consider the placement very carefully. Ideally, your tank should not be visible from the road outside your home and should not be placed near any external gates or doors. If possible, install your tank in an area that can easily be seen from your home, so you can keep an eye on it. You could hide the tank in a number of ways.

Add extra security

Fit a sturdy lock to the fill cap of your tank (and also the vent cap, if possible), and consider installing a security cage or protective casing to your tank and any exposed pipes. Ideally, any casing should be locked with a shackle padlock, which can’t be easily broken with bolt croppers.

Install security lights

Install a movement-sensing security light to alert you to any late-night visitors. A set of strong flood lights would also make a thief think twice about targeting your tank.

CCTV

The cost of CCTV systems has dropped over the past few years, making basic packages more affordable. If you decide to install a system, you should also place a ‘CCTV’ sign on your gate to let any potential thieves know that you are taking measures to protect your heating oil.

Use signs

A much cheaper alternative to CCTV is to place a ‘Beware of the Dog’ sign on your garden gate. Thieves tend to avoid houses that have dogs, as they may bark and attract attention during a theft.

Lock it down

Generally, you should always make sure that any access points to your garden (such as gates, doors or garages) are securely locked when not in use.

Fix your fences

If there is a hole in your fence, thieves may be able to gain access through it. Make sure that all of your fences are in good condition and replace any low fences with higher versions, to prevent your tank from being seen by passers-by. You should also avoid placing wheelie bins by your fence, as thieves may use these to climb into your garden.

Neighbourhood watch

If you are going on holiday, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your oil tank and report any suspicious activity.

Turn it off

When your tank is not in use (i.e. during summer or when you are away) turn off your boiler and secure any control switches, as this will make it harder for thieves to get oil out of the tank.

Monitor your tank

If you have a good idea of how much heating oil you have and how much heating oil you tend to use, it will be easier to tell if there is a sudden drop in levels.

Install an alarm

Fit an audible tank alarm which will let you know if your oil levels drop suddenly due to a theft or leak.

Add insurance

As with any valuable item, you should check that your heating oil supply and tank are covered by your home insurance.

Reporting a heating oil theft that has already occurred

If you discover that a heating oil theft has already occurred, you should call the non-emergency 101 police number and report the crime immediately.

Make sure to save any relevant CCTV recordings and pass on any other pertinent information to the police. Once you have a crime number, you should get in touch with your insurance provider.

If a thief successfully steals from your heating oil tank, it’s important that you implement extra security measures to reduce the risk of being re-targeted.

For more information visit https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/report-a-crime-incident/

Have a question that you can’t see the answer for? Contact us and let us know.

How to hide your fuel tank

Ways To Make Your Heating Oil Tank Prettier

Different ideas will work better for different sizes and styles of outdoor space. Also, you’ll have a lot more freedom if you own the property, compared to if you rent it.

Fence

Probably the quickest, cheapest and easiest fix to make your oil tank pretty is to put a fence around it, or at least a screen to block it from view. Whether you choose to use wooden panels, bamboo or reed; all three can be bought ready-made and ready to go, for a low cost. The fence can then be stained, painted or treated to make it last longer outside and to help it blend in more with its surroundings. Have a read of this Which ‘Garden fencing: what you need to know’ article for inspiration and top tips.

Trellis

With trellis, you need to be a bit more patient. If you’re happy to wait, then this can be a beautiful way to make your heating oil tank prettier. Once you’ve erected the trellis, you can start to grow plants up it. Think about the type of plants and flowers though, finding out when they bloom and die back. The RHS and RSPB have some good ideas for climbers and wall shrubs, whilst inviting different types of animals and insects in to your garden at the same time.

Hedge

A hedge is a long-term plan, so definitely don’t start this if you’re only renting your home! Once mature, a hedge has many benefits; its dense leaves will block your oil tank from view in the nicest of ways, and will hopefully be a pleasing colour all year round if you pick the right plant. It’ll also provide a new home for wildlife, such as birds and insects. You’ll need to work out what type of soil you have in your garden first, and how much sunlight the area gets. Have a look at both the Suttons and Thompson & Morgan websites for advice on evergreen hedging and shrubs to enjoy your hedge all year round, and of course make your heating oil tank prettier.

Camouflage Netting

Before spending lots of money on a new camouflage net, why not check out eBay, gumtree or even a carboot sale to see if you can grab a bargain first. There are many styles, sizes and colours of camouflage netting – look out for one that ties in with what’s in your garden or yard. It’s also ideal if you don’t have enough space for a fence, trellis or hedge; or if you’re renting and can’t make any permanent changes but want to disguise an ugly heating oil tank.

Paint

Do you own your home? Feeling a bit creative? For that unique touch, why not try painting your oil tank and make a feature out of it? There are many weird and wonderful designs already out there to inspire you; we suggest taking a look on Pinterest for some ideas. Depending on what your tank is made of out, you’ll need to seek advice from your local homeware store and explain what you are using the paint for.

Important Things To Remember

Always speak to the landlord first before making any changes to a rental property; whether that’s inside or outside.

If doing anything regarding your heating oil, always make sure it’s safe and complies with the strict rules that come along with heating oil tanks. Leave a gap, don’t add anything flammable etc. British standards require a clearance of 600mm between the tank and any screening. We suggest having a look on the OFTEC website before you do anything.

Make sure that the next time you order heating oil, the delivery driver can still locate your tank, and has safe and easy access to it.

All of our suggestions would also work well to hide those necessary but unsightly recycling bags, rubbish bins and water butts too.

During National Gardening Week, share your photos of how you disguise your heating oil tank with us on social media – we’d love to see them! Be sure to read our ‘Protecting Your Heating Oil’ blog too; from preventing oil leaks to protecting your tank against theft, we compiled everything you need to know about maintaining your heating oil tank.