Winters in Vermont can really give home heating equipment a workout. If you’ve never had your boiler or furnace conk out on a frigid February night, you probably never thought about just how much those repairs cost.
It doesn’t matter if you heat your home with propane or heating oil, heating equipment repairs can be expensive—especially if you need to replace a major part or component.
On average, a furnace or boiler repair can cost between $300 and $400, and repairs to a water heater can run close to $600. That’s why we give Dorr Oil customers a choice of two service plans to help make sure an unexpected breakdown doesn’t bust your budget!
Whichever service plan you choose, you’ll save money—even if you never have a problem with your equipment! In fact, keeping you trouble-free is the main idea of our service plans. That’s because both available plans include an annual heating system tune-up. Our in-house technicians perform a multipoint check so they can identify and replace worn parts before they cause big problems.
For less than the cost of most typical repairs, our Basic Service Plan gives you:
For even more peace of mind, our Premium Service Plan coverage provides:
Our comprehensive service plans are designed to help you save money no matter what winter brings. The tune-up is the key. In addition to helping prevent breakdowns, regular maintenance by a trained pro helps ensure your system is running at peak efficiency. That means you’ll burn fuel more efficiently and keep heating costs down. Regular maintenance also extends the life of your equipment—an investment you don’t want to have to make too soon.
Annual tune-ups also protect your warranty. Most heating equipment warranties require routine professional service as a precondition; skip your tune-up and your manufacturer’s warranty could be voided, leaving you to pay out of pocket for expenses that would have been covered.
Dorr Oil has been taking care of the fuel delivery and heating and cooling equipment needs of homes and businesses in Greater Manchester, Vermont, and the surrounding communities for more than 20 years. We’re always happy to answer all your questions and help you choose the best service plan for your budget and your heating system. Contact us today for more information—or to enroll!
“Will-Call” home heating fuel customers always run the risk of forgetting to call—or calling too last-minute for an oil delivery. Life is busy; we fully understand! So, here is your gentle fall reminder from the team at Dorr Oil and Propane: Call us to schedule your tank replenishment now!
While you’re at it, it’s a good time to explore the advantages of Automatic Delivery over that of Will-Call. You might be pleasantly surprised at what we found.
In our experiences over twenty years serving homes and businesses in the Greater Manchester area, our Will-Call clients are more likely to inconveniently run out of fuel right when they need it most. However, when you’re enrolled in our Automatic Delivery program, we make sure that you’re always stocked with fuel and taken care of. Available for both propane and oil deliveries, this option makes getting your fuel easy while also providing peace of mind.
Once you sign up for Automatic Delivery, your work is finished! No more worrying about empty tanks and no-heat emergencies. How easy is that? You won’t have to worry about periodically checking your tank levels—even in the midst of an all-too-common Vermont snowstorm, nor having to call in to schedule a delivery. We use our software to determine your home’s fuel consumption based on your past consumption level factored alongside the recent weather patterns to estimate exactly when you will need a delivery.
So why even take the chance of running out and giving yourself another to-do? It’s easy to forget to run down to your basement, crawlspace, or outside to check your tank gauge. Let us take care of all the work.
Other companies talk about great service. We guarantee it! Get a 100-gallon minimum fill-up by October 31, 2021, and enjoy 10 cents off per gallon with payment spread equally across two months! **
You can always count on Dorr Oil for safe, reliable fuel delivery to your home. If you’d like to schedule a fall fill-up, hear more about the perks of our Automatic Delivery program, or take advantages of any of our home heating system maintenance or installation services, contact us today! We’ll be happy to help.
Dorr Oil and Propane has been keeping homes warm and safe in the harsh winters of the Greater Manchester area of Vermont for over two decades. Because we’re locally based, we understand our customers’ needs. You’re not only our neighbors, but our friends.
**Credit card on file is required. Total billable amount must be received within 60 days’ time. Please speak to a customer service representative for details.
While temperatures are currently still situated in the mid-seventies here in Southern Vermont, we all know that one thing is for certain: Winter is soon coming our way—and there is simply no way to avoid it!
Like it or not, we all know the feeling of waking up in the morning and realizing that it is cold outside. However, if you’re looking to keep your house warm and cozy for as long as possible throughout the season, one smart way to do that is by adding a propane-powered fireplace into your living space! These fireplaces are loved by many homeowners here in Vermont—and may be the perfect choice for your home as well.
Here, we’ll share three key reasons to upgrade to a propane-powered fireplace prior to the winter season this year.
Propane fireplaces are, on average, cheaper than those that use wood or other fuels over their shelf lives. The cost of propane is typically lower per unit, and the fuel lasts longer than that of wood, so you don’t have to refill your tank as often. Plus, there’s no need to repeatedly buy starter logs, pellets, nor go through the hassle and labor of chopping your own wood.
Additionally, supplemental heating options like space heaters, or those powered by electricity, tend to spike your energy rates at times of the year when utilities are typically at a higher price point per kilowatt hour (kWh).
Although there is an initial cost to upgrading to a propane fireplace, this will—over the lifespan of your unit—be easily paid for and then some as you utilize propane as your primary heat source for your gas logs or insert.
With a propane fireplace, or a fireplace insert for your existing masonry wood-burning fireplace, you get ease and convenience. Thanks to today’s technology, you get a lot more!
The flames flicker and dance and look more like a real wood fire. But, unlike a wood fire, you can control the heat instantly. You can crank it up on a really cold day or turn it down, so you get just a bit of cozy warmth on a cool fall day. And you can program your temperature settings for specific times.
Some propane fireplace inserts come with blowers, so if you have an open concept living space or a large area to heat, the heated air is pushed to all parts of the room for even and comfortable heating no matter where you are in the room.
When you have a propane fireplace, you get an energy-efficient source of supplemental heat, which means your furnace or boiler won’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm.
Propane fireplaces are a great alternative to wood or gas fireplaces because they do not require nearly any maintenance. Many homeowners love them for this reason alone, but there is another big plus: You don’t have to worry about ash and other by-products of wood-burning, either.
Propane is clean-burning and odorless, so your home will stay fresh without the smoky smell that can take over when you burn wood. Another bonus? Your chimney doesn’t need cleaning! All you have to do with a propane fireplace is occasionally change the filter in the vent pipe once every year or two (depending on how often it’s used). This means more time for you to enjoy your new purchase instead of worrying about ongoing upkeep!
Specifically, ventless gas logs require no chimney, flue or vent pipe and are the cleanest, highest-efficiency product on the market.
If you love the benefits of having a propane fireplace, take advantage of our propane fireplace installation services! Let our expert team—with decades of experience working with top, name brand manufacturers—help keep you warm this winter. Contact us to get started and see which of our available models best fits your home—and your budget—today!
After working hard through a long heating season last year, your furnace or boiler is ready for a little professional attention—especially if you skipped routine maintenance last year. By keeping up-to-date with your heating equipment maintenance, you will:
If you haven’t signed up for a Service Plan, Dorr Oil offers several options for your heating equipment! These include:
Our Premium Service Plan ($399), which covers:
Our Basic Service Plan ($199), which covers:
We also have offer coverage in our service plans for oil or gas-fired water heaters—contact us to learn more.
Avoid costly heating equipment repairs and get peace of mind for the coming heating season with Service Plans from Dorr Oil and Propane. Contact us today to learn more about heating maintenance in Greater Manchester, Vermont!
Having a reliable and efficient furnace or boiler is super important here in New England—where we rely on our heating system for nearly two-thirds of the year.
If you’re not sure what to expect from your heating equipment this coming fall, don’t worry: Dorr Oil and Propane has got your back with expert heating repairs and heating equipment installations in Greater Manchester, Vermont and nearby!
If you’re on the fence about whether to repair or replace your equipment, here are some guidelines that may help you come to a decision:
You should REPAIR your equipment if:
You should REPLACE your equipment if:
Sometimes the repair-or-replace race is too close to call, making your choice a tougher one. In those cases, manufacture incentives can tip the scales in favor of a heating system upgrade! To learn about incentives on heating equipment we install, contact your Dorr heating experts today.
Considering a new heating system installation? We can help! Contact Dorr Oil and Propane today to learn more about propane and heating oil heating system installations in Greater Manchester, Vermont.
Remember: Don’t head into the heart of the winter season unsure about the health of your current heating system!
Dorr Oil offers several options for purchasing your heating oil, propane or kerosene—but deciding which option to choose can be confusing, because each option has its pros and cons. The option that works best in one year might not work well the next, because the price of propane is ever unpredictable.
Still, like any major buying decision, it pays to be informed. We’ve prepared a short summary of each option to help you decide what’s best for your family.
Just like stocks on the stock market, the cost of heating oil fluctuates from day to day with no limit about how high or low it can go. If you buy your fuel as you go at this market price, you can take advantage of falling prices—but if they go up, you’ll have to pay the higher price.
Purchasing heating oil in advance of heating season at a fixed rate locks in a price on all the gallons you pay for, regardless of when they’re delivered and no matter what happens in the market.
“Pre-buy” on the other hand is a special type of fixed price which is made before the season starts. This option lets you buy ALL the gallons you’ll need for the year ahead while protecting you from rising prices, but it also means we can’t lower your price if the market drops.
As you can see, each price option has its benefits and risks, which makes choosing an option a matter of personal choice. To summarize:
Do you still have questions about what pricing option is best for you? Contact the pros at Dorr Oil to learn more about kerosene and heating oil delivery in Greater Manchester, VT!
It’s of utmost importance to keep your heating oil tank at least half full, even in the offseason (if your tank is near empty, now is the perfect time for a heating oil delivery!) And if you follow that advice, your heating oil will likely sit idle in the tank for at least four or five months while you wait for temperatures to drop again here in the Central Vermont.
The question is, will using heating oil that isn’t “fresh” harm your heating equipment?
The short answer is no. No. 2 heating oil has a typical shelf life of just under two years—a wide enough window to cover heating oil you purchased during the previous heating season.
If your heating oil is getting close to that age, say, for example, if you own a vacation or second home that you don’t use every year, or use only during the summer, you can still use the heating oil, although it probably won’t produce as much heat as “fresh” oil.
If the oil is so old that it can’t burn hot enough to reach your furnace’s minimum temperature range, your furnace will automatically shut off; if that happens, you will need to hire a professional to restart your system. If you know for certain that oil has been sitting in your tank for more than two years, it’s probably better to have your tank professionally drained and refilled.
Of course, it’s important to keep in mind is that two years is simply an average shelf life for No. 2 heating oil. Several factors can raise or lower that number, including:
Starting out with quality oil helps, too—a big reason to get your heating oil from us rather than an unknown discount supplier!
The bottom line is if you get your fuel from a qualified heating oil supplier, properly maintain your heating system, and haven’t left your heating oil sitting unused for years, you should be in good shape when it comes time to run your heating system next heating season!
For dependable delivery of quality heating oil at the best prices in Vermont, choose Dorr Oil. Contact us today to schedule a delivery or to become a Dorr Oil customer!
When it comes to heating systems, size matters – but bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Right-sizing is critical to making sure that your furnace will run efficiently and keep you comfortable with the least amount of effort necessary.
Choose a furnace that is too small for your home and it will run constantly without ever reaching the temperature you want. That kind of overwork will cost you in the form of higher bills and more wear and tear on your equipment.
Interestingly, a different kind of overworking can happen if the furnace is too large. A system that is oversized will cycle (switch on and off) too frequently, which also wears out your equipment and burns more fuel.
While getting a furnace that is too large is preferable to installing one that is too small, it’s still not an optimal use of your hard-earned money—especially considering the fact that you’ll usually pay more for a larger unit.
The size of furnace you need depends mainly on the size of your home—although there’s more to the equation than that (see below). In an average-size home in Manchester Center, VT (about 1,500 square feet), you’ll need about 35-40 BTUs per square foot—meaning you’ll need a 50,000-60,000 BTU unit, all other things being equal (which, of course, they’re not!).
A number of other factors can affect your ideal furnace size. For example, a well-insulated home won’t need as much heating power as one that isn’t insulated to recommended R-levels. A home with lots of windows and several levels will present a heavier heating load to a furnace than a home lacking those features, which means more horsepower will be needed.
While you can make a rough estimate for the size furnace you’ll need with simple formulas, it really pays to have a pro assess your home and properly fit a furnace to your unique conditions. At Dorr Oil, we offer FREE, no obligation estimates on furnace installation in Vermont, so you can make an informed decision about your home heating system. An investment now allows you better flexibility on installation times—and you’ll be ready to go for that first chilly evening in late August.
To learn more about furnace installations in greater Manchester, VT, contact the pros at Dorr Oil today!
A furnace or boiler will keep your family warm and comfortable for years to come—but it will only do that if you keep your equipment properly maintained!
Routine service by a heating expert will keep your equipment running safely, efficiently, and effectively while helping to prevent many of the costliest heating repairs; it will also keep your warranty in force. In short, it’s a must-have for your equipment, whether your furnace or boiler is new or old.
But what’s the best way to get that heating service? At Dorr Oil, that’s a no-brainer, too. Simply opt for one of our Heating Service Plans!
If it’s time to service your heating system after a long winter’s work, your best bet is to sign up for a high-value Dorr Heating Service Plan. Here’s why:
Enrolling in a Heating Service Plan pays both now and down the road, with improved efficiency, fewer repairs, and priority service during no-heat emergencies. Contact us today to enroll in a Dorr Oil Service Plan and learn more about heating oil deliveries and propane service in Greater Manchester, Vermont!
For many years, masonry fireplaces (fireplaces primarily built from brick or stone) have been considered the go-to home hearth system. But masonry fireplaces also have their share of drawbacks. For one, they’re extremely inefficient—in fact, according to the US Department of Energy, they can account for 8 percent of more of a home’s energy loss. They’re also expensive to install, with price-tags reaching $30,000 or more.
If you want a far more convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy an evening in front of a crackling fire here in Vermont, there’s a much smarter way to go: install a propane hearth.
When it comes to choosing a propane hearth for your home, you have three broad categories to choose from:
Each of these options is available for vented or vent-free installation—contact us to learn about some of the differences so you can determine what model is best for you.
Expert Propane Hearth Installations in Vermont
Dorr Oil expertly installs and services vented and vent-free propane hearths of all kinds for your Greater Manchester home, and can work with you to pick the solution that works best for the demands of your room and your personal taste.
Of course, if you choose a gas-powered fireplace option, we can help you with a reliable supply of quality propane gas all winter long as well!
An evening by the fire could be one click away! Contact Dorr Oil today to learn more about propane hearth installation in Bennington County, VT, or to schedule a propane delivery for your propane fireplace, fireplace inset, or gas log set!