Skip to Content
Top

FAQ

Filter by Keyword or Category
  • Clear All
  • Financing

    • How does the financing approval process work?
      Our financing approval process considers your credit history and other relevant factors. Once you apply, we'll assess your eligibility and provide you with the financing options available.
    • What factors determine my eligibility for financing?
      Eligibility is primarily based on your creditworthiness. Factors such as credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio are considered. Meeting these criteria enhances your chances of approval.
    • Can I choose the repayment period for financing?
      The repayment periods are based on the financing option you choose: either 0% for six months or 7.99% for 61 months.
    • Are there any promotional financing offers available?
      Periodically, we may offer special financing promotions, such as no monthly interest if paid in full within a specific period. Keep an eye on our promotions for opportunities to take advantage of these offers.
  • BioPure®

    • What is Biodiesel?

      Biodiesel is made in the USA and comes from the production of a variety of renewable resources. These resources are soybean oil, recycled cooking oil, and animal fats.

      Biodiesel is a fantastic replacement for traditional diesel fuel as it is a clean-burning fuel that is renewable.

      And, best of all, it can be used in existing equipment with no need to upgrade or modify the equipment.

    • What is the difference between BioPure®, Bioheat® Heating Oil, and Biodiesel?

      Biodiesel is a diesel fuel that is produced from plants or animals and consisting of long-chain fatty acid esters. It is typically made by chemically reacting lipids such as animal fat, soybean oil, or some other vegetable oil with an alcohol, producing a methyl, ethyl or propyl ester. source: Wikipedia

      Bioheat® Heating Oil fuel is a blend of biodiesel and ultra-low-sulfur heating oil (ULSHO). A more eco-friendly alternative to both traditional heating oil and natural gas. source: mybioheat.com

      BioPure® is Townsend Energy's proprietary blend of environmentally friendly fuel that utilizes Bioheat® Heating Oil fuel combined with additives to improve the performance of our fuel.

    • Is BioPure® (Liquid Renewable Fuel) a better option than converting to an electric heating solution (heat pump)?

      Yes! Our BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil provides a clean energy choice TODAY without the added costs of converting your perfectly good heating system to an expensive all electric heat pump.

      Additionally, our BioPure® heating oil will provide you and your family total home comfort, regardless of the outdoor temperatures. The same CANNOT be said about electric heat pump heating systems.

      Furthermore, as we continue making headway in increasing our blend of biodiesel within our BioPure® fuel, your home will be heated with a product that is more green than electricity[2]!

      While the oil industry is targeting the year 2030 to reach a b50 blend to achieve this outcome, Townsend Energy will be delivering a b50 blend much sooner!

    • Does BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil cost more than traditional heating oil?

      Absolutely not! BioPure™ is a liquid renewable fuel that does NOT cost more per gallon of fuel than non-bio fuels like ULSHO (ultra-low sulfur heating oil).

      Also, BioPure® burns cleaner and more efficiently than #2 fuel oil (traditional heating oil). This results in reduced winter energy expenses for you and your household. This savings is realized due to less maintenance required on your heating equipment and a savings on the amount of gallons that you burn through the heating season.

    • How do I get BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil delivered to my home?

      As a Townsend Energy customer, do absolutely nothing! You are automatically receiving BioPure® heating oil. We've got you covered.

      If you are not a Townsend Energy customer, contact us to become one today!

    • Does BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil fuel reduce my carbon footprint?

      Yes! BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil biodiesel heating oil reduces lifecycle carbon emissions as compared to traditional fuel oil, making it the best carbon reduction tool of any U.S. liquid fuel commercially available.

      And, as Townsend Energy continues to increase the blend ratio of biodiesel in our BioPure® fuel products, our customers will reduce carbon emissions at a higher rate.

      source: mybioheat.com

    • Do I still need to clean my heating equipment every year when I use BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil fuel?

      We still recommend to our customers to have their heating equipment tuned up on an annual basis. This ensures that your HVAC equipment is running at its highest efficiency levels.

      Click here to learn about our heating equipment service plans. These plans are designed to help you save even more!

      However, it is important to note that the need to remove soot & sulfur deposits is no longer required. This is due to the way BioPure® Bioheat® heating oil burns versus traditional heating oil.

    • Is converting my heating system to an electric heat pump necessary to support a cleaner environment?

      No, Absolutely not! Retaining your existing oil boiler or furnace and receiving BioPure® heating oil from Townsend Energy helps keep our environment clean.

      And...

      As Townsend Energy begins delivering higher blends of BioPure® (a blend of Bioheat® heating oil with performance enhancing additives), your boiler or furnace will emit fewer carbon emissions than comparable heating systems that are fueled by electric or natural gas! [2]

    • How can I help spread the word that the oil industry is doing its part in stopping global warming?

      Join Townsend Energy in our efforts to spread the word by telling your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers about your positive experience with our BioPure® heating oil solutions.

      BioPure® heating oil is our low carbon renewable fuel solution that is proven to reduce carbon emissions for New England property owners.

    • Will it smell like french fries in my house?
      Heck no! There is no odor from using our BioPure® heating oil.
  • Furnace Heating

    • Is Servicing My Furnace That Important?
      Certainly. Annual furnace tune-ups are an essential part of maintaining the furnace. Before the manufacturer can honor a warranty, they will first ask you for any proof which shows that you have been servicing your unit. Most, if not all producers of these systems provide an instruction manual with every unit. The manual will explain to you how the unit should be maintained. If you want to prevent a situation where you end up dealing with avoidable repair costs, you have to make sure that you do exactly what the instruction manual says. The advantages of regular maintenance include efficiency, durability and the furnace will also be safe to use.
    • When Should I Schedule Furnace Repairs?
      Ideally, servicing should be done on an annual basis. However, if the furnace develops a problem at any other point, the wisest thing to do is to call a professional as soon as possible. You want to avoid having to pay more at a later stage because the issue will have worsened. So, make sure that you call an HVAC company with a good reputation to handle any problems with your unit before the problem gets worse.
    • When Should The Furnace Be Replaced?
      It’s is difficult to give a specific time period because furnaces come in various forms. What applies to a certain model will not apply to a different model. Having said that, the standard for many models is 15-20 years. So, if the unit is being well-maintained, it can last for over ten years. Furnaces that do not receive regular maintenance will last far less. That means, all things going well, you will not have to worry about saving for a new furnace before your current unit reaches ten years or so.
    • What Are The Indications That My Furnace Needs To Be Replaced?
      There are certain problems that can indicate that it is time to replace the system. These include unsatisfactory heat, weird odors, sluggish ignition, and pilot light failure. Another clear indication is decreased energy efficiency. If energy efficiency is low, it means that more energy is being used, and this has a negative impact on your monthly bill.
    • When Should I Change The Air Filters?
      A heating system normally comes fitted with an air filter. The filter plays a very important role in blocking the dirt and dust that would otherwise get into the system. This ensures that the air inside your home is always safe and clean. However, as time goes on, the filter is likely to have some of those pollutants stuck on the surface. It is therefore important to change them on a frequent basis or as recommended by the manufacturer.
    • How Should I Choose The Perfect Furnace For My House?
      There are various models available and you can simply take your pick. But, before you make a choice, it would be in your best interest to consider all the necessary facts including the AFUE rating of the unit, as well as its heating capacity. Make sure that the furnace you go for is one that has an AFUE rating of not less than 80%. Consult with an HVAC contractor in your area to perform a Manual J Load Calculation.
    • How Can Homeowners Reduce The Heating Bill?
      A sure way of reducing the heating bill is to carry out regular furnace maintenance. What you want is a unit that is energy efficient because that means you will be using less fuel. That can only be achieved through regular servicing the unit.
    • How Long Will A New Furnace Last?
      Because there are different kinds of units that are being manufactured by different companies these days, how durable the unit will be will depend on that particular model as well as whether or not it is being well maintained. Some models can last for over twenty years.
    • What Is An AFUE Rating Of A Furnace?

      The term AFUE is a heating term that stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It is a ratio of heat output to fuel consumption. When you need to invest in a new furnace, then the minimum AFUE furnace rating should be 80%. However, idealistically, you should opt for the most energy-efficient furnace and go for models that have an AFUE rating of 90% or above.

  • Backup Generator

    • What Is An Automatic Backup Generator?
      It is a backup electrical system that’s designed to run and operate, proving your home power whether you are home or away. It automatically delivers power to the electrical circuit breaker in your home in just a few seconds of a power outage. Once utility power is restored, the generator will automatically shut off to patiently wait for the next power outage. It is typically positioned outside the exterior of your home, just like your air conditioning unit.
    • Why Choose Generac?

      Generac has been around for close to 60 years and during that time, the company has become known for reliability, superior generator solutions, and offers consumers a huge variety of systems to suit any situation or need you may have.

      Power generation is what Generac is best known for. From the company’s top of the line product development to an in-house customer service team, to a network of highly experienced dealers, Generac’s commitment and focus to providing reliable power supply solutions is simply unmatched in the industry.

    • How Do I Correctly Size A Generator For My Home?

      Having the correct generator size for your home and lifestyle is very important to ensure that your essential and needed equipment/appliances will stay running at an optimal level without the need for power supplied from your utility company.

      Here is what you need to do to properly size a backup generator for you and your family:

      1. Make a list of any and all items that you know will be drawing power from the generator in case of an electrical outage.
      2. Write down the starting and running wattage of the items you identified in your list. This can be checked by looking at the identification plates of the equipment or the owner’s manual. The amount of electricity required to run specific appliances are given in the form of amperes. Yet you cannot use that to determine your wattage requirements alone. Use the formula: Wattage= Amperes x Volts
      3. Calculate the total power requirements in watts you need by using the figures obtained in the above step.
      4. Download our wattage worksheet to help with sizing or call us for a free in-home consultation.
    • Can I Install The Generator Myself?

      Some generator manufacturers such as Generac usually have prepackaged and prewired systems that already come with very comprehensive installation instructions.

      You can decide to do site preparation steps because they may be simpler and hire a professional to secure the fuel and electrical panel connections for safety reasons. You can always decide to complete the entire installation yourself if you’d like. When it comes to selecting and preparing a site, it is always best to follow the guidelines of the installation manual that comes with your generator.

      For safety reasons and to ensure strict adherence to the state, local, and national electrical codes, generator manufacturers like Generac usually recommend using an authorized dealer like Townsend Energy or another licensed contractor. Especially for any non-pre-wired or larger systems.

    • Do Generators Have To Be Maintained?

      Yes, some simple maintenance of your generator is necessary and it is recommended to be performed annually. If you’re using your generator more frequently, it might be beneficial to have a semi-annual service. Just like cars, all generators require there to be a periodic inspection done.

      Oil and filters to be changed, as well as other routine maintenance help to ensure maximum performance, reliable service, and a product you can count on when mother nature cuts off your electricity for a long time.

      There are preventative maintenance kits available and many Generac dealers often offer annual maintenance contracts. This helps to provide you with a worry-free backup generator experience. You should refer to the owner’s manual for routine, semi-annual, or annual maintenance schedules and procedures or best to contact Townsend Energy with any maintenance-related questions.

    • Why Should I Invest In An Automatic Backup Generator Rather Than A Portable Generator?

      An automatic backup generator has a plethora of advantages over a portable generator during a utility power outage. It turns on automatically, whether you are home, away, or on business and will turn off automatically once power is restored to your home. This means that you won’t have to monitor the unit in case of a power outage.

      By having an automatic backup generator installed outside, you keep your home protected from carbon monoxide poisoning, which is a real risk with portable generators. Home backup generators run on propane or natural gas, which makes it way cheaper to operate and doesn’t require you to do the refilling.

      Having an automatic backup generator allows your power to start as soon as there’s a power outage, which eliminates the need to move a portable generator outside or having to run messy extension cords all over your home to keep the power flowing.

    • What Differences Exist Between Automatic Air-Cooled Generators And Automatic Liquid-Cooled Generators?

      Air-cooled generators cool the engine by using fans to force air across the engine, while the liquid-cooled generators are more similar to that of an automobile because they use an enclosed radiator and water pump for cooling.

      In the liquid-cooled generator, with help of the thermostat, the pump cycles controlled liquid coolant to the engine block through hoses while heat from the engine is transferred to the coolant. The heated liquid then goes into the radiator where the air is being used to cool it.

    • Do you install generators?
      Yes, we install Generac generators. These are automatic home backup power systems that will automatically provide your family with electricity whenever your power goes out. Contact us for a free installation quote.
    • What fuel do I need for my generator? Does Townsend Energy supply it?

      A backup power generator can run on a variety of fuel sources including natural gas, propane, and diesel. If your home is supplied by natural gas, we will connect your generator to the natural gas line.

      If you do not have natural gas at your home, we will install a propane tank and can supply the propane to your home as needed. Contact one of our Customer Care representatives for more information. 

    • Does Townsend Energy service generators?
      Yes, we service Generac generators and we offer emergency repair services as well as preventative maintenance services.
  • Fuel Delivery

    • When am I getting my next delivery?
      If you are an automatic fuel delivery customer, we can rest assured that your next fuel delivery will arrive before your tank is empty. We rely on degree-day data, your historical consumption usage, your tank size, and sophisticated algorithms to determine when your next delivery should occur. Feel free to contact our Customer Care representatives for more details.
    • What is the price per gallon?
      Fuel prices vary daily and the pricing that you pay is impacted by how you pay for your fuel. The pricing can vary greatly if you purchased your fuel in a pre-buy contract, float pricing, cap pricing, etc. The fuel buying plans also vary based upon the type of fuel being purchased. For more help with this topic, contact our fuel Customer Care representatives at (978) 717-0490.
    • Can I schedule a fuel delivery?
      Yes, please call us at (978) 717-0490 to schedule. However, keep in mind that if you are an automatic fuel delivery customer, there is no need to call for a delivery. It will automatically be delivered when you need it!
    • Why is my price not my contracted rate?

      There are several reasons that may cause this situation to occur.

      1. Your contract may have expired
      2. You may have run out of agreed upon gallons in your contract
      3. Your downside price protection is being utilized

      Call us at (978) 717-0490 if you need further clarification on your specific pricing question.

    • I am moving into a new home. I am moving out of my home. What do I need to do for my fuel account?

      Moving into a new home

      Contact us to coordinate and establish a new fuel account for your new home. Call us at (978) 717-0490 to speak with a Customer Care representative.

      Moving out of your home

      You will need to coordinate a final tank reading and get the price of fuel for the date of your closing. Typically there is an adjustment on your HUD to reflect the amount of gallons to be included in the sale. Call us at (978) 717-0490 to coordinate this.

  • Service Plans

    • Why should I invest in a protection plan?
      Peace of mind! We guarantee that you will receive priority service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
    • Will a protection plan save me money?
      Absolutely! First, you save the costs of performing the precision tune up, and you will save money on any repairs that are not covered under your protection plan. You will also receive loyalty credits which will help you save money on the cost of purchasing new equipment.
    • Why are tune-ups so important?
      Regular system maintenance can help you save up to 10% on your annual utility bills, prevent breakdowns, and identify small problems before they can become big ones. Regular tune-ups also lower your annual fuel consumption by as much as 7-10%.
    • How do I get started?
      Getting started is easy! Simply call one of our friendly Customer Care team members at (978) 717-0490, or fill out the form below.