FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Fuel Delivery in Southeastern MA

Have questions about heating oil or propane fuel delivery in South Coast and Cape Cod? Roby’s Propane Gas has compiled the most frequently asked fuel questions below to help our customers better understand the fuel delivery services we provide. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about heating oil and propane or contact us now to request a service  or give us a call to schedule a fuel delivery.

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Heating Oil FAQs

Q: What is heating oil?

A: Heating oil, known as oil, fuel oil, home heating oil, and HHO, is a low-viscosity liquid petroleum fuel product that is refined and used as a heat source.

Q: What are the main uses for heating oil?

A: Heating oil is primarily used for heating and water heating. It can be used in furnaces, boilers, and water heaters that are oil fired.

Q: Is home heating oil safe?

A: Yes, heating oil is a safe and nonexplosive fuel source. It is fire-resistant because of its high flash point of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It also produces visible warning signs like smoke if a heating system malfunction were to occur, meaning oil users can benefit from home security. If you ever do need help, give us a call right away.

Q: What is the difference between propane and heating oil?

A: Propane is stored as a liquid and used as a gas fuel, while oil is stored and used as a liquid fuel. Heating oil has an energy capacity of 139,000 BTUs, compared to 91,502 BTUs for propane. Sometimes people still choose to install propane because it’s easier to install and doesn’t require the same maintenance, but heating oil provides a higher efficiency, reducing total fuel cost over time. Both oil and propane options are safe, affordable, and abundant in the United States.

Q: How can I monitor my home heating oil levels?

A: The simplest way is to read your oil tank gauge, which is like car’s gas gauge. You should order a refill when your home heating oil tank gauge reaches ¼ capacity. Many heating fuel providers offer automatic oil delivery that uses degree-day tracking technology to stay on top of local Massachusetts weather patterns and your home heating history.

Q: How do you read an oil tank gauge?

A: Read a tank gauge just like your car’s gas gauge: Full, ¾, ½, ¼, and Empty. You can find the small circular glass or plastic gauge on the top or side of your oil tank. Be sure to check it frequently and place an oil order before the bottom of your gauge reaches the 1/4th marker. Or, simplify the process by signing up for Roby’s automatic delivery service.

Q: How does the weather affect heating oil usage?

A: The colder the temperatures are, the more heating oil a furnace or boiler will need to provide warmth. During the dead of winter, you will go through oil more quickly than the spring or fall. Other factors can affect heating oil usage too, such as personal heating preference, home size, and furnace or boiler efficiency—that’s why it’s so important to frequently check your oil tank gauge or sign up for automatic oil delivery.

Q: What appliances can I use with heating oil?

A: For Roby’s customers, the most common oil-fired appliances are furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.

Q: How do oil and diesel fuel differ?

A: It is the same product as diesel fuel, but a road tax is not paid on it, meaning it’s dyed red and illegal to use on highways.

Q: How much does heating oil cost?

A: The price varies by location, supply, and demand, but on average heating oil costs approximately $2.90 per gallon. If you’d like to learn today’s low price, give Roby’s a call!

Q: What are the advantages of using home heating oil?

A: Heating oil has long-since been recognized as a safe heating fuel, since it is nonexplosive. It’s also affordable, abundant, burns efficiently, and is getting cleaner and cleaner with environmental advancement technologies such as ULS and biodiesel.


Propane Gas FAQs

Q: What is propane?

A: Propane is a gas fuel that is compressed, stored as a liquid, and used as a vapor. It is nontoxic, colorless, and naturally odorless, although a highly regulated odorant is added to aid in detection. The fuel is used for residential, commercial, industrial, AutoGas, and agricultural use. Some common propane uses that Roby’s customers enjoy include heating, water heating, lighting, fleet fueling, clothes drying, cooling, crop drying, forklifts, and greenhouse climate control.

Q: Is propane a gas or a liquid?

A: Both: propane is stored as a liquid fuel in a propane tank, but vaporizes into a gas upon release from pressurization as it raises above its boiling point.

Q: How is propane gas manufactured?

A: Propane is a natural by-product of oil refining and natural gas processing from wet wells: the vapor is captured and harnessed as a fuel of its own.

Q: Will propane gas deteriorate over long periods?

A: No. Unlike other competing fuels such as gasoline and diesel, propane does not deteriorate or lose potency over time.

Q: What is the difference between LPG and propane?

A: LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas, which represents a larger family of fuel. Butane is an example of another LP-gas which differs slightly from propane in terms of its chemical formula and certain qualities, such as the temperature at which it vaporizes.

Q: What are the different types of LP-gas?

A: The different types of propane include HD-5 propane (propane and maximum of 5% propylene), commercial propane (propane and propylene), and commercial butane (butane and butylene).

Q: How do butane and propane differ?

A: Butane and propane are both hydrocarbon gases that fall into the category of LPG, but their chemical formulas are different, and they react differently to temperature changes. Propane vaporizes at temperatures above -44°F, while butane will not vaporize below 32°F.

Q: What appliances can I use with propane?

A: Propane can fuel a variety of appliances for our valued customers, including: furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, stoves, ranges, grills, clothes dryers, fire pits, fireplaces, pool and hot tub heaters, refrigerators, freezers, space heaters, lighting, generators, lawn care equipment, landscaping tools, vehicles, fleets, buses, and more.

Q: What are some common uses of propane gas?

A: Propane is most often used by Roby’s customers for heating and water heating. Other uses include cooking, generators, pool heating, lighting, vehicle fueling, forklifts, irrigation, crop drying, and more.

Q: How much does propane fuel cost?

A: The price of propane varies depending on its use and consumption. We would be happy to speak to you to determine your needs and quote you a propane price per gallon. Please contact our office to set up a consultation.

Q: How can I tell if a propane tank is empty or nearing empty?

To find the level of propane in your tank, refer to the propane tank gauge.

Q: What are the advantages of using propane gas?

Propane is an approved clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act. It produces fewer emissions than many other fuels. Most propane is created in North America, and sales support local economy and jobs. The US is the world’s leading propane provider and has more than enough to go around. With propane, customers know they have options when it comes to delivery and service providers. Propane is one of the cheaper fuel options and is consistently priced lower per BTU than oil and other competing fuels.