You signed up for what seemed like a good deal—a locked-in heating oil price that promised to protect you from market spikes. But now you’re watching your neighbors pay $2.95 per gallon while you’re stuck at $3.50 or higher, and there’s nothing you can do about it until your contract expires.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Thousands of Lower Bucks County homeowners find themselves trapped in heating oil contracts that seemed smart at signing but ended up costing them hundreds of dollars more than they needed to pay. The frustration is real: you did everything right, tried to plan ahead, and now you’re being penalized for it.
Many Bucks County families have already tried calling their contract company to negotiate, only to get the runaround from overseas call centers or automated systems. Others have attempted to switch providers mid-contract only to discover cancellation fees that would cost more than riding out the bad deal.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly why heating oil contracts often backfire on homeowners, what’s really happening behind the scenes with contract company pricing, and how Lower Bucks County families are breaking free to save $300-$600 per heating season. Whether you’re currently locked into a frustrating contract or considering signing one, you’ll learn from the experience of over 5,000 local families who discovered a better way.
About the author: This guide comes from Ace Fueling, a Bristol-based heating oil company that has served Lower Bucks County since 2018. Owner Jon has helped thousands of local families escape the contract trap and take control of their heating costs.
What You’ll Learn
- What Is a Heating Oil Contract and Why Does It Often Backfire?
- The Real Causes Behind Contract Overcharging
- How to Identify If Your Contract Is Costing You Money
- Solution Options for Lower Bucks County Homeowners
- Why Lower Bucks County Homeowners Choose Ace Fueling
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Steps
What Is a Heating Oil Contract and Why Does It Often Backfire?
A heating oil contract is an agreement between a homeowner and an oil company that typically locks in pricing for an entire heating season or longer. These contracts come in several forms: fixed-price contracts that set one rate for all deliveries, cap contracts that promise your price won’t exceed a certain amount, and budget plans that spread payments across the year.
On the surface, these arrangements sound appealing. Who wouldn’t want price certainty during unpredictable Pennsylvania winters? The marketing materials promise protection from market volatility and the convenience of automatic deliveries.
Common warning signs that your contract is costing you money:
- Your per-gallon rate is significantly higher than current COD (cash on delivery) prices
- Your bill includes fees you didn’t expect: delivery charges, service fees, administrative costs, or “fuel adjustment” charges
- You’ve noticed neighbors or coworkers paying less per gallon than you
- When you call to ask about your rate, you can’t get a straight answer
- You’re receiving automatic deliveries at times when you don’t need oil
- Your “locked” rate didn’t actually protect you from price increases
The consequences of staying in a bad contract extend beyond just overpaying per gallon. Many Bristol, Levittown, and Bensalem families report spending an extra $300-$600 per heating season—money that could have gone toward home improvements, family activities, or simply staying in their bank accounts.
The Real Causes Behind Contract Company Overcharging
Understanding why contracts frequently backfire requires looking at how contract heating oil companies actually make money. Once you understand their business model, the math becomes painfully clear.
Cause #1: Contract Pricing Is Calculated to Benefit the Company, Not You
When a heating oil company offers you a “locked” or “capped” price, they’re not doing you a favor—they’re making a calculated bet. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration data, there has been only one year in the past fifteen where heating oil prices sustained an increase of more than 30% throughout winter compared to October prices. In the majority of years, the average price paid in February is actually LESS than the price paid in October.
This means the odds are stacked in the oil company’s favor. They charge you a premium for “protection” against price spikes that rarely materialize at the levels that would benefit you.
In our 7 years serving Lower Bucks County homeowners, we’ve watched this pattern repeat every heating season. Contract companies set their locked rates high enough to guarantee their profit regardless of what happens in the market. When prices drop—which they do more often than not—you’re still paying the inflated locked rate.
Cause #2: “Market Price” Is Set by the Company, Not the Actual Market
Here’s something most contract customers don’t realize: when your contract references “market price,” that price is determined by your oil company—not by actual market conditions. This gives companies enormous flexibility to hold their “market price” artificially high even when their wholesale costs drop.
For example, if wholesale heating oil drops by 50 cents per gallon, a contract company might only reduce their “market price” by 20 cents, pocketing the difference. Since their “cap” price is tied to their internal market price, you never see the full benefit of market drops.
Lower Bucks County families switching from contract companies to Ace Fueling frequently discover they were paying 40-75 cents more per gallon than necessary. On a typical 800-gallon heating season for a Bucks County home, that’s $320-$600 in unnecessary spending—every single year.
Cause #3: Hidden Fees That Inflate Your True Cost
Contract companies often advertise attractive per-gallon rates that don’t tell the whole story. When your bill arrives, you find additional charges that weren’t prominently disclosed:
- Delivery fees: $15-$50 per delivery
- Hazmat fees: $5-$15 per delivery
- Administrative fees: Monthly or annual charges for account management
- Budget plan fees: Charges for the “convenience” of spreading payments
- Tank rental fees: If your tank is company-owned
- Price protection premiums: Additional costs for cap or ceiling contracts
- Fuel adjustment charges: Vague fees that fluctuate based on company decisions
When you add these fees to your per-gallon rate, your actual cost per gallon can be 30-50 cents higher than advertised. A Croydon homeowner recently told us they calculated their true per-gallon cost from their contract company was $3.85—while our quoted price of $2.95 was exactly what they paid, with no additional fees.
Cause #4: Automatic Delivery Isn’t Always in Your Interest
Contract companies love automatic delivery because it removes your control over when and how much oil you receive. While convenient in theory, this system often works against homeowners:
- Deliveries may come when your tank is still half-full, forcing you to buy more than necessary at current rates
- You can’t time purchases to take advantage of price dips
- “Top-off” deliveries of small quantities can trigger minimum delivery fees
- You lose visibility into your actual consumption patterns
Many Morrisville and Langhorne families have reported receiving surprise deliveries they didn’t request—sometimes just days after their last fill—with bills exceeding $500 that they weren’t expecting and hadn’t budgeted for.
Cause #5: Contract Lock-In Removes Your Leverage
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of heating oil contracts is how they eliminate your ability to shop around. Traditional contracts include:
- Early termination penalties
- Minimum purchase requirements
- Automatic renewal clauses
- Cancellation fees that can exceed $200
Once locked in, you have no leverage to negotiate better rates or switch to a more competitive provider. The contract company knows you’re stuck, which removes any incentive for them to compete on price or service.
How to Identify If Your Contract Is Costing You Money
Before deciding your next move, it’s important to assess whether your current arrangement is actually hurting you. Here’s a step-by-step approach to evaluate your heating oil situation:
Step 1: Calculate Your True Per-Gallon Cost
Pull out your last three heating oil bills and calculate: Total amount paid ÷ Total gallons delivered = Your actual cost per gallon. Include ALL fees—delivery charges, service fees, administrative costs, everything. This is your true per-gallon cost.
Step 2: Compare to Current COD Prices
Check current cash-on-delivery prices from local discount oil companies. As of today, COD prices in Pennsylvania are ranging from $2.66-$3.16 per gallon depending on quantity and location. If your true cost is significantly higher, you’re likely overpaying.
Step 3: Review Your Contract Terms
Look for these red flags in your contract:
- Automatic renewal without explicit consent
- Vague language about how “market price” is determined
- Multiple fee categories beyond per-gallon pricing
- Minimum purchase requirements that exceed your typical usage
- Cancellation penalties that seem excessive
Step 4: Assess the Cost of Waiting
Calculate how many gallons you’ll need for the rest of the heating season and multiply by your overpayment per gallon. This tells you what staying in your contract will cost versus switching to a no-contract provider.
When it’s NOT worth breaking your contract:
- Cancellation fees exceed your projected savings
- Your contract expires within 30-60 days
- You have an unusually good locked rate below current market prices
When switching makes sense:
- Your overpayment exceeds cancellation costs
- You have multiple heating seasons remaining on your contract
- Your contract company has demonstrated unreliable service
- You’re dealing with hidden fees, poor communication, or service problems
Solution Options for Lower Bucks County Homeowners
If you’ve determined your heating oil contract is costing you money, you have several paths forward. Let’s explore each option so you can choose the best approach for your situation.
Option 1: Wait Out Your Contract, Then Switch
If your contract expires soon or cancellation fees are prohibitive, the simplest approach is to ride out your current agreement while preparing to switch. Here’s how to make this transition smooth:
- Mark your contract end date on your calendar
- Research COD providers in Lower Bucks County before your contract expires
- Decline any automatic renewal offers
- Place your first COD order immediately after your contract ends
Pro tip: Many contract companies send renewal notices 60-90 days before expiration. Watch your mail carefully and respond promptly to prevent automatic renewal.
Option 2: Break Your Contract Now
If the math works in your favor, paying the cancellation fee and switching immediately may save you money over the long run. Calculate: Cancellation fee + remaining season COD costs vs. Remaining season contract costs. If breaking the contract saves you money this season alone, it’s usually the right move.
Option 3: Switch to No-Contract COD Heating Oil
The most popular solution among Lower Bucks County homeowners is switching to a cash-on-delivery model that gives you complete control:
How COD heating oil works:
- You monitor your tank level and order when you need oil
- You receive current market pricing with no long-term commitment
- You pay only for what you order—no automatic deliveries
- You can switch providers anytime without penalty
Benefits of the COD model:
- Price transparency: The quoted price is exactly what you pay. No delivery fees, no service charges, no administrative costs.
- Market timing: When prices drop, you benefit immediately. No waiting for contracts to adjust.
- Flexibility: Order when you need oil, in the quantities you need. No minimums forcing you to buy more than necessary.
- Freedom: If you’re unhappy with your provider, switch the next time you need oil. No termination fees, no hassle.
- Savings: Lower Bucks County families switching from contracts to COD providers like Ace Fueling report saving $300-$600 per heating season.
Why Professional COD Delivery Makes Financial Sense
Some homeowners worry that managing their own oil orders is complicated. In reality, modern COD delivery is remarkably simple:
- Check your tank gauge weekly during heating season
- Order when you reach 25% capacity (about 69 gallons in a standard 275-gallon tank)
- Call, text, or order online
- Receive same-day or next-day delivery
The few minutes per month you spend monitoring your tank translates to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. When you factor in text ordering convenience and same-day delivery availability, the COD model is often MORE convenient than contract automatic delivery—and significantly cheaper.
Why Lower Bucks County Homeowners Choose Ace Fueling
Since 2018, Ace Fueling has helped over 5,000 Lower Bucks County families escape the heating oil contract trap. Here’s why local homeowners trust us with their heating needs:
Transparent, No-Surprise Pricing
Our quoted price is your final price. No delivery fees, no service charges, no administrative costs, no hazmat fees. When we say $2.95 per gallon, you pay $2.95 per gallon—period. This complete pricing transparency is why families switching from contract companies consistently save $300-$600 per heating season.
Price Match Guarantee
We consistently offer the lowest heating oil prices in Lower Bucks County. If you find a lower price from a legitimate licensed competitor, we’ll match it. This guarantee ensures you always get the best available rate.
No Contracts, Ever
We operate exclusively on a COD model. No long-term commitments, no automatic deliveries you didn’t request, no minimum purchase requirements, no cancellation fees. Order only when you need oil, in the quantities you choose.
Same-Day Delivery, 7 Days a Week
Orders placed before 2 PM typically receive same-day delivery. We deliver Monday through Sunday, including weekends and holidays. Most deliveries complete within hours of order placement—not the 2-4 day waits common with contract companies.
24/7 Emergency Service
Run out of oil at 2 AM during a cold snap? We respond to emergencies around the clock, typically within 2-4 hours. As one Bristol customer shared: “When we ran out of oil, they were there within an hour and even bled and restarted the system for us.”
Direct Access to Owner Jon
When you call (215) 458-7523 or text (267) 679-2242, you reach owner Jon directly—not an automated system, not an overseas call center. Jon responds to text messages typically within minutes, providing the personal accountability that large contract companies cannot match.
Licensed, Insured, and Professional
Ace Fueling is fully licensed, insured, and DOT-registered (3148867). Our modern fleet features state-of-the-art calibrated metering systems certified for accuracy. You receive every gallon you pay for.
Multiple Discounts Available
- Military/Veterans: 3¢ off per gallon
- Senior Citizens: 3¢ off per gallon
- Cash Payments: 5¢ off per gallon
- Customer Referral Program: $25 off for both referrer and new customer
Deep Local Knowledge
Based in Bristol and serving Levittown, Bensalem, Croydon, Morrisville, Langhorne, Fairless Hills, and all Lower Bucks County communities, we understand local neighborhoods, Pennsylvania winter demands, and the specific needs of our community. We’re not a distant corporation—we’re your neighbors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I actually save by switching from a contract to COD heating oil?
Lower Bucks County families switching from contract companies to Ace Fueling report saving $300-$600 per heating season. The exact amount depends on your current contract rate, your home’s heating oil consumption, and how much you’re paying in hidden fees. A typical Bucks County home uses approximately 800 gallons per season, and savings of 40-75 cents per gallon translate to $320-$600 annually.
What if I run out of oil because I forgot to order?
This is a common concern for homeowners new to COD delivery, but it’s easily managed. Simply check your tank gauge weekly during winter months and order when you reach the 25% mark. If you do run out unexpectedly, Ace Fueling provides 24/7 emergency delivery throughout Lower Bucks County, typically arriving within 2-4 hours.
How quickly can I get heating oil delivered in Bucks County?
Ace Fueling offers same-day delivery 7 days a week throughout Lower Bucks County. Orders placed before 2 PM typically receive same-day delivery, with most deliveries completed within hours of order placement.
Does Ace Fueling require contracts or minimum orders?
No. Ace Fueling operates exclusively on a cash-on-delivery model with absolutely no contracts. There are no long-term commitments, no automatic deliveries, no minimum purchase requirements, no early termination penalties, and no cancellation fees.
What payment methods does Ace Fueling accept?
We accept multiple convenient payment options: cash on delivery (with a 5¢ per gallon discount), all major credit cards with no processing fees, debit cards, Venmo, and PayPal.
How do I know I’m getting accurate gallon measurements?
Ace Fueling uses state-of-the-art calibrated metering systems certified for accuracy on all delivery trucks. We’re licensed, insured, and DOT-registered (3148867), meeting all Pennsylvania accuracy standards.
What areas does Ace Fueling serve?
We serve all of Lower Bucks County including Bristol, Levittown, Bensalem, Croydon, Morrisville, Langhorne, Fairless Hills, Feasterville-Trevose, Penndel, Yardley, Southampton, Newtown, Richboro, Warminster, and Washington Crossing. We also serve Montgomery County communities including Horsham, Hatboro, Lansdale, and North Wales.
Is it complicated to switch from my current oil company?
Not at all. Switching to Ace Fueling is as simple as placing your first order. When your tank needs refilling, call (215) 458-7523, text (267) 679-2242, or order online at ace4oil.com.
Can I get heating oil on weekends or holidays?
Yes! Ace Fueling delivers 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. We maintain full delivery capability every day of the year to keep your home warm.
What makes Ace Fueling different from other COD oil companies?
Three things set us apart: owner Jon answers every call and text personally, our transparent pricing means no hidden fees whatsoever, and our same-day delivery and 24/7 emergency service ensures you’re never waiting. Our 5-star Google rating from over 5,000 satisfied customers demonstrates why Lower Bucks County families trust Ace Fueling.
Next Steps
Key Takeaways:
- Heating oil contracts often cost Lower Bucks County homeowners $300-$600 more per season than COD delivery
- Contract companies calculate locked rates to benefit themselves, not you
- Hidden fees can add 30-50 cents to your true per-gallon cost
- Switching to no-contract COD delivery gives you control, flexibility, and significant savings
- Ace Fueling offers transparent pricing, same-day delivery, and direct access to owner Jon
Ready to Stop Overpaying?
Join over 5,000 Lower Bucks County families who’ve discovered a better way to heat their homes. Get a free, no-obligation quote today and see exactly how much you could save.
Call: (215) 458-7523
Text: (267) 679-2242
Online: ace4oil.com
We’re available 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, 7 days a week, with 24/7 emergency service. Same-day delivery available for orders placed before 2 PM.
Available Discounts:
- Military/Veterans: 3¢ off per gallon
- Senior Citizens: 3¢ off per gallon
- Cash Payments: 5¢ off per gallon
- Customer Referrals: $25 off for you and your neighbor
No contracts. No hidden fees. No hassle.
Your House Always Wins!
