Frequently asked questions

Why should i pick smith and sons as my fuel oil company?

Smith & Sons offers competitive pricing and friendly customer service.  We are a small family owned business and we do everything we can to help local communities.  We offer emergency deliveries so if you do run out in the middle of the night you can pay a fee and we have you covered. ​

What is your minimum delivery?

Our minimum is 100 gallons

How long before I want the  fuel delivered should I call  to schedule a delivery?

Although we do our best  to  accommodate every customer, we do recommend that you call 5-7 days before your scheduled delivery.
​Please see our Contact & Delivery page for our daily route schedule.

How do i become a smith and sons customer?

Please call 518-661-6112 or email  smithandsonsfuel@gmail.com. We'll need your name, address, mailing address, phone number, and preferred payment method. Please make sure your tank is in good working order prior to scheduling a delivery.
​I already placed an order, and I need to change it, what can I do?
Changes must be made 48 hours in advance because we pick our fuels up daily and have to account for each gallon. If you need to cancel an order, or change the amount of the order you've placed please call us 48 hours prior to the delivery. If it's after hours use the emergency # listed on our answering machine. If you do not let us know in advance you will be responsible for the original amount you ordered. If you were hoping to order more, we can schedule a second delivery date. ​
What is the  price for heating oil/kerosene?
Please call or email for pricing as  prices change everyday.  Due to the volatility of fuel prices sometimes changing  several times during the day we cannot post prices. Our prices are always fair, we don't charge hidden fees (off road, fuel surcharge, or delivery fee). We strive to  have fair pricing (based on what we pay at the port) and friendly service, we don't always have  the least expensive  oil and are not known for cheap oil but sometimes we do have the best rates around.
My neighbor got a deliver today and his/her price per gallon was different than mine, why?
The government mandates HEAP pricing structures so if your neighbor receives HEAP or is a senior that may be why. Prices can also change several times a day. If we already told you the price the night before then we got a price sheet indicating pricing changes your neighbor may see that reflected on his/her bill.  We feel that our prices are always fair and we never charge hidden fees or additional residential taxes.
Do you lock in rates or offer budget plans?
No. We do not offer lock in rates. Some competitors do but you usually end up paying a lot more for that comfort. ​
How big is my oil tank?
Most tanks are 275 gallon tanks some are 550 or 1000  gallons. ​
Can the truck's hose reach my tank/ fill pipe from the road?
That depends on where your fill pipe is our truck hose is about 90' long (and weighs over 175 lbs).
What is the whistling sound I hear when my tank is being filled?
Oil tanks are equipped with an audible  alarm for the truck driver  to hear when he is making a delivery to your tank.  When the alarm stops the  driver knows the tank is full so that no spills occur. The whistling is caused  by the air that is displaced from the tank by  the oil that is being delivered.  ​

​Click here for more information ​on how to read your meter ticket
​

delivery information

 do you offer automatic delivery?

Yes.  Click here to complete the Automatic Delivery application and to read through the terms and conditions. 
Do I have to have my driveway plowed/sanded and a path cleared for delivery?
Yes safety is our #1 priority and if your driveway is deemed unsafe for delivery, we will be forced to reschedule. 
Do you offer emergency deliveries?
We  offer 24 hour emergency deliveries (weather permitting-$125 emergency fee applies) to our current  customers only. An emergency delivery is any delivery not scheduled in advance.   Our emergency fee and 100 gallon minimum are industry standard or below and are necessary in order to have someone on call 24/7.  If you are calling after hours, please use the emergency number on our answering machine and if no one answers, someone will get back to you within 4 hrs. 
What time can I expect my delivery ?
Deliveries are usually between 7 am -5pm. Due to too many unforeseen circumstances we can no longer offer time windows. We want our drivers to do their best to deliver our fuel safely without feeling rushed. DOT stops, truck breakdowns, road construction, and pipeline issues often delay our time windows and it is too difficult with our incoming calls to call each customer to let them know we may be late. We understand if you do not want to wait home for the delivery, so please know you can leave a check and we will fill in the amount and leave your receipt, you can order a specific dollar amount, or you can leave a credit card or ach on file. If you want to be home because of tank issues, you need to have those issued fixed by a professional prior to scheduling a delivery. ​

fuel information

 What types of fuel oil do you sell?
Smith & Sons Fuels Inc. sells quality regular #2 home heating fuel, 50/50 blend, and kerosene fuel oils to residential and commercial customers in Fulton, Hamilton, Esperance, Montgomery, and Saratoga counties.  
*No 2 fuel oil (now known as ultra-low sulfur heating oil which is a cleaner burning fuel) is used for heating and hot water in tanks that are stored inside.
*Kerosene fuel oil is used for outside tanks to prevent the fuel from "gelling" during cold winter months. We purchase our fuel fresh daily from the port in Albany. Our fuel oil is a high quality (backed by our supplier's guarantee) ultra-low sulfur oil.  In our 10+ years in the fuel business we've had a lot of compliments and recommendations from customers and heating professionals. 
Click here for COA specs.  Sulfur Content Changes in the Northeast Region – Quick Reference Guide.
The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic regions have been working to slash the sulfur content in heating oil. New York State became the first in the region to move to 15PPM heating oil.  We sell dyed 15 ppm Kero #1-k5, regular dyed unmarked heating oil, and 50/50 blended fuel.
#2 fuel oil is less expensive than kerosene, can I use #2 in my outside tank instead of Kero?
We do not suggest this because ultra-low sulfur heating oil /#2 fuel oil will freeze up at around 15 degrees. Some customers buy 50/50 (equal blend of kerosene and #2), the choice is up to you.
​We do offer a $20 Fuel Ox additive that treats 275 gallons, if you want it added on at time of delivery please let us know.
Do you sell clear kerosene?
No we do not. We sell dyed 15 ppm kero #1-k5, regular dyed unmarked heating oil, and 50/50 blended fuel.
I'm thinking about switching to propane, what do you think?
People assume propane is less expensive than fuel oil .  BTU's,.... for every gallon of fuel you burn, you burn about 1.5 gallons of propane. Many propane companies are large with lots of service reps and are known for adding extra fees like tank rental, tank certification, tank removal fees, delivery surcharges, having to book 2 weeks in advance, and more. Propane and oil customers receive the same NYS HEAP benefit amount as they cost roughly the same price based on all of that research. Before you consider switching, ask around and keep these things in mind.
Do you offer on road or off road diesel fuel?
 We no longer offer off /on road diesel due to low demand. 
Can your kerosene gel?
Our Kero is purchased fresh daily from the port of Albany. Kero is similar to regular fuel with additives put in for outside temperatures. Outside tanks are subject to natural condensation which can cause water to get in your tank and cause freeze or gel issues. Kero can freeze at -30 so if temperatures are extremely cold or there is water in your tank that mixes, you may have to call a service provider. These issues have nothing to do with our quality standards. Putting your tank in a shed and wrapping your pipes in heat cable tape can help if you are having issues. Where we purchase oil, millions of gallons are purchased daily so if it was a quality control issue, everyone would have these issues.

services provided

I'm completely out of fuel, can your driver bleed my furnace when he delivers?
Yes our driver can bleed your furnace on delivery but there is a $25 fee and you are required to be home between 7am-4pm so that he can bleed it. We do not offer any other plumbing or heating services at this time.
Do you do concrete construction?
You are looking for Smith and Sons Construction. 
​Please call Jeff & Bonnie at 518-661-5074. 
Do you provide plumbing and heating services?
No we do not provide additional services at this time. We are looking for more companies to refer our customers to so if you know someone very reputable please have them call us to discuss.
I'm moving, can you pump out my tank and refund me?
No unfortunately we are not able to do that, as the customer owns the fuel oil tank and there may be sludge in the bottom so we can't risk pumping that and reselling it to someone. You may be able to get a service professional to do that if you want to put it in a different fuel tank. You may also be able to get your landlord to pay by having us issuing a dollar value statement and the landlord could then have the new tenant reimburse them for that amount. If you are selling your home we can estimate the dollar amount for your lawyer and send you a statement for your closing. If you are switching to a different product, the installer should include removal in the quote.
 I sold my house, and my lawyer needs a value fuel statement, can you help?
Yes. Click here to complete the Property Sale Statement request form and submit that to our office 

payment information

What payments do you accept?
We accept cash, check, ach check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, NYS H.E.A.P, and FEMA  on or before the delivery. We are C.O.D. because we have to purchase the fuel we deliver up front at the port daily.

i want to drop off cash or check before my delivery, where do i go?

2346 State Hwy 30 Mayfield, NY.   
There is a secure black lock box to the right of the entrance door (make sure to have your name &  address or account # on the outside of the envelope).   ​

i order a fill up, so i never know the amount, and i don't want to leave a check if i am not home, what can i do?

We can estimate the amount pretty accurately based on your gauge & you can leave a check for that amount, you can also call and put your credit card or an E-check on file and we will auto charge the day of delivery.

i wanted my invoice emailed, when should i expect to see that?

We should be able to email that with 2 business days. If you haven't received it by then, please call and remind us.

H.E.A.P. benefits

DO YOU ACCEPT HEAP?

Yes. We are accepting new H.E.A.P customers for this heating season.  Please call for an account # or look for it at the top of your fuel slip. Please note that we will call you once we have confirmation to schedule your delivery.  Deliveries are scheduled first come first serve.

I SIGNED UP FOR H.E.A.P. WHEN WILL MY OIL BE DELIVERED?

As soon as we receive confirmation for your H.E.A.P. benefit we will call you to set up a delivery date. usually 3-7 days after we receive confirmation. 
H.E.A.P. customers are not charged extra fees or more money per gallon. 
We will receive regular benefits between November 18th - March 19th. 
​ We receive written confirmation of the amount, we often do not receive funds from the state for several weeks or months. 
We can not deliver until we have written confirmation from H.E.A.P, if we did deliver before without confirmation we could risk loosing our vendor license. If you have further questions you should call the Department of Social Services or Office For Aging in your county.
I've used my regular and emergency benefits but I got something in the mail stating another HEAP benefit has been sent to Smith & Sons, what does this mean?
After the state sends us a check we will both receive a statement via regular mail confirming that we have received HEAP funds. These are often confusing because these are just statements sent out months after the delivery was made.  If you have additional questions about please contact DSS or Office of Aging.
My H.E.A.P. benefit is not in yet or all of my eligible H.E.A.P. benefits have been delivered and I have no money for fuel, what can I  do?
You can schedule a delivery and pay cash, check, or credit card or you can contact Catholic Charities in Johnstown or Amsterdam (FEMA). If eligible FEMA funds can help pay for a minimum delivery (100 gallons).   
We also accept Care & Share payments with National Grid in conjunction with the Office for the Aging.
HEAP benefits will come in to us between Nov 18th and March 19th. If you are in an emergency, DSS may be able to provide a warm temporary relocation assistance for you.

I'm thinking about switching to a different heat source to save money, what do you think?

Replacing your oil heat furnace with a new energy efficient oil heat furnace could save you around 30% per year. The great thing about oil heat is that you are dealing with a local caring company with proven reliability. Research before you consider switching. ​

 I'VE NEVER used oil for my
heating BEFORE,
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW MUCH
​MIGHT NEED EACH SEASON?

The amount you need depends on outside temperatures, hot water source, additional heat sources, how warm you keep your house on average, # of people living in your home, and insulation.
​The average size home uses about 100 -125 gallons per month in the winter. You may want to check with the previous homeowner for a better estimate they should be able to call the previous supplier and get a history printout.  ​

*As winter approaches our area, please make sure
that your driveway is properly maintained for winter weather. Safety is our #1  priority. Thank you!