If you are new to oil heating, then you may be a little bit apprehensive about what to expect during your first oil delivery. The good news is that there is very little that you need to do other than make sure that access is clear and safe for the delivery driver. The following tips can help you prepare for the delivery, thus setting your mind at ease.

Locate the Fill Valve

Oil tank fill valves are typically located very close to the tank. Tanks located indoors, such as in the basement, often have the valve outside just on the other side of the wall from the tank. Buried tanks will have a valve protruding above ground over the tank location. Above ground tanks are the simplest, since the valve is located right on the tank. If you cannot find your valve, your oil service can often perform a tank location inspection for a small fee.

Keep The Area Clear

Once you have located the valve, you need to make sure the area is clear so your oil delivery driver can easily and safely access it. For outdoor valves, trim back any landscaping or overgrown grass so that there are no obstructions. In winter, snow and ice removal from around the valve is necessary. With indoor valves, avoid storing any items near the valve or oil tank. Make sure that there is a clear path through the house for the delivery driver to use when accessing the valve.

Provide Parking

Oil delivery trucks can be quite large, so in most residential neighborhoods they will require room on the street to park their rig while filling your tank. If possible, move your vehicles from the front of your home and park in your driveway or in open spots further away from the house on delivery day. This way your delivery driver won't have to park in a way that obstructs traffic during your oil delivery.

Secure Your Pets

If you have pets that spend time outdoors, make sure you bring them in during your oil delivery. This is especially important if you won't be home during the delivery. You don't want your pets to accidentally get out when the delivery driver enters your yard, nor do you want to risk a nervous pet nipping at a delivery driver. For indoor fills, place pets in a closed room until after the delivery is complete.

Contact a home heating oil delivery service for more assistance.