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Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers

How Do I Apply for Membership?

Before you apply for membership, you must be registered on our website.

1.     Set up your account, if you haven’t already. Register here on our website, and be sure to confirm your email address by following the instructions. All of our emails are sent from [email protected]. Please save your password in order to later login to your account.

Your email provider may send our emails to spam/junk or “Promotions” folders, so be sure to look there if you don’t see our verification email in your inbox. If you discover our email in your spam/junk folder, please make sure you indicate that it is not spam, so that future emails will more likely go to your inbox. 

2.  Please be sure to your same email address for:

  • Registering on our website.
  • Making your membership payment.
  • The contact email for your supplier account(s).

3.     Once the application window is open, log in to your account and select your fuel supplier(s) and pay your annual, non-refundable membership fee.

4.     After membership payment is made, your fuel supplier application page will display links to contract with your chosen supplier(s).  Please remember to contract with your suppliers before the deadline.

If you have any issues receiving the verification email, you can login to your account and choose My Account in the upper right. From here you can choose to resend the verification email. If you are still unable to verify your email, call 845-762-5002 or email [email protected], and we can resend the email to you.

Paraco

If you are a returning member, you will find a link to the Paraco customer portal where you can sign up for your propane needs.

If you are an existing Paraco customer applying for MHFBC membership for the first time, Paraco will call you to set up your account to receive our discounted prices.

New Paraco Gas customers will be contacted by a Paraco representative who will set up an online account, determine your estimated usage, and arrange for a tank inspection or installation, and a credit check. Please allow five working days for the information from the MHFBC to be processed before calling Paraco to follow-through.

Bottini Fuel

After you have paid your annual MHFBC membership fee a link will be provided to complete your application with Bottini Fuel.  Your membership number as well as your contact information will be prefilled.  If any of this information is missing please complete.

If you have an existing Bottini Fuel Account Number please include this in the message section.  All applicants must use the same email address for both their Bottini Fuel and MHFBC accounts.

Remember to click “Apply Now” when the form is complete.  After your submission is complete you will see a “confirmation of application” page.  If you do not see the “confirmation of application” please call Bottini Fuel @845-297-4915 and the Bottini Fuel team will sign up your account.

Annual Membership Information

Do I have to renew my membership each year?

Yes. Membership is for one year only. Once prices are announced, you can renew your annual membership by paying a non-refundable $15 per supplier fee. This applies to both previous members and those who have just registered.

When can I apply for annual membership?

Annual membership applications for the 2024-2025 heating season will start at 9am June 18, 2024 and end at 9am July 18, 2024.

I do not have internet access. Can I still join?

If you do not have access to the internet, please check to see if a friend can sign you up online. If this is not possible, please call 845-762-5002 as soon as possible after the enrollment period has opened, and we will try to help you.

I need delivery to more than one address. Do I have to pay for more than one membership?

No, you only need to pay for a single membership for each supplier. Your membership fee covers the residences you own, and those for which you are responsible for fuel costs. Renters who are responsible for paying fuel costs should register and apply independently of the property owners.

I am a HEAP customer. Will your supplier accept me?

Our suppliers accept HEAP customers, and like all new customers you will be asked to agree to a credit check.

Is my membership transferable?

Membership is not transferable. It is tied to the person, not to the delivery location. As long as our suppliers can deliver to any new location, you can continue to get your fuel at MHFBC prices.

Where can I get information about the membership prices and the current suppliers?

2024-2025 prices and the suppliers will be posted to the “Prices” page of this website as soon as they are negotiated. Prices are also posted on our Facebook page when ready.

Estimating Usage

How can I best estimate next season’s usage?

For Oil:  Fuel oil for an average family house in this region is 600 to 800 gallons. Bottini Fuel is able to help new members estimate their usage, based on previous year’s usage and information about the house and household.

Existing Bottini Fuel customers can see the number of gallons delivered last season, by checking their invoices, available on the Bottini Fuel online account portal. Members are expected to order only the number of gallons that they reasonably expect to use. Excessive purchases (over 10% of actual usage) may be subject to fees equal to the early termination fees for any unused/purchased gallons.

For Propane: Paraco Gas uses returning members’ previous year’s usage as a guide and automatically adds a 5% margin. Be aware that while signing-up on Paraco’s website, you might see an incorrect estimate of your usage from last year. Both existing and new Paraco customers might want to discuss their anticipated usage with a Paraco representative, and agree on a number of gallons to estimate.

If you expect your usage to vary greatly from the previous year, please be sure to contact your supplier before signing the contract. Both suppliers are willing to work with customers to ensure the estimate is as accurate as possible. Due to the volatile nature of the fuel oil market and rapid changes in prices, Bottini Fuel will not be able to adjust estimates mid-season.

What happens if I underestimate the gallons?

For Oil, If you underestimate gallons on the fixed price your price will revert to the Variable rate (See Prices).

For Propane, your rate will remain the same until June 30, 2025.

What happens if I overestimate my gallons for oil?

If you overestimate gallons and are on the fixed price plan you may be subject to termination/overbuy fees.  Please refer to Bottini’s terms and conditions.

Suppliers

Do I need to call my previous supplier if I am changing to a new supplier?

Yes, you must call your previous fuel supplier to stop automatic deliveries when changing to a new supplier.

What information will I need to provide, via the supplier’s online portal or to the sales representative?

If you are already a customer of the supplier, please have your account number ready, and the estimated fuel usage for the year (See Estimating Usage above).

New supplier customers should gather the following information:

  • The approximate square footage of the house.
  • The amount of fuel currently in the tank.
  • The date of the last fuel delivery.

Propane users should also have this information:

  • The location and size of the tank.
  • The types of usage for the fuel; such as heating, hot water, cooking, generator, pool, dryer, etc.

New customers will be asked to agree to a credit check, and a physical inspection of their tank, line, and equipment.

Do the suppliers deliver to my address?

Our suppliers distribute fuel oil, propane and kerosene to the New York State counties of Ulster, Delaware, Dutchess, Columbia, Sullivan, Greene and Orange.

Are these two suppliers the only companies serving MHFBC members?

There are only two suppliers chosen for each heating season. For 2024-25 we have made agreements with one oil supplier (Bottini Fuel) and one propane supplier (Paraco), in order to offer our members these discounted prices.

Other suppliers may offer to match our negotiated prices, but it is important to check all the details before agreeing to their service. Other suppliers may charge tank rental or other fees, and they may also retain the option of increasing their prices later in the season.

What constitutes a contract with a supplier?

Bottini Fuel will be calling members and obtaining a verbal contract.  They will also send a follow-up confirmation email for your records.  

Paraco  Agreeing to the terms and conditions and signing the supplier’s online form contracts you to the listed products and services on the contract at the prices listed. Be sure to keep a copy of this contract.

What is the New Hamburg Terminal price?

New Hamburg Terminal pricing is the average of Global & Buckeye Terminal pricing, two of the largest terminals in Newburgh, NY.  You can check the price paid by home heating oil suppliers at the New Hamburg terminal, where they collect their product. The price will be updated daily with the adder of $0.70 on your account page.

Propane Tanks

Will Paraco Gas deliver to me?

Paraco Gas will only deliver to their own tanks, or those that are owned by the customer and compliant with their safety regulations.

I am new to the MHFBC and a propane user. Can I purchase my own tank instead of having a Paraco Gas tank?

Yes, you may purchase your own tank. Paraco Gas is offering a 10% discount up to $500 to members who purchase a tank from them. Paraco only sells underground tanks, and you can find out about Paraco tanks here.

I own my propane tank. Will Paraco Gas deliver to me?

Paraco will inspect customer-owned tanks to ensure they comply with their safety regulations. They will bill you for any changes they have to make to your equipment in order to comply with their safety regulations.

I have propane tanks belonging to my previous supplier. Will Paraco Gas deliver to me?

Paraco Gas will only deliver to company tanks, or those that are owned by the customer and are compliant with their safety regulations. You may want to get an estimate for the removal of your current tank from your previous supplier, and to see if they will credit any unused propane.

Paraco Gas will replace the other company’s tank with their own, at no cost, unless there is a need for adjustments to the piping or fittings. Paraco Gas will not charge a rental fee for their propane tanks. Once you have Paraco tanks, you can call your previous supplier and have them pick up their tank(s).

Service Contracts

Am I required to have a service contract?

You are not required to have a service contract, but we strongly advise having your heating system checked annually, both for the purposes of safety and fuel efficiency. You can have your equipment checked by an outside contractor, or by using one of our supplier’s discounted service plans.

How can I find out about service contracts offered by the suppliers?

Go to the Prices page of our website. This page lists service plans by both suppliers, and links to the supplier’s website where you can find details for each plan.

My chosen service plan offers an annual tune-up. When will it be scheduled?

Customers are responsible for scheduling the annual tune-up. Suppliers typically do not schedule tune-ups during the heating season, as their technicians are needed for maintenance and emergency calls. Please schedule a fuel oil tune-up as soon as possible, and well before the heating season starts. Scheduling a tune-up in the summer is a good idea, as the furnace will not be in use until October, and technicians will be more available. If 12 months have not passed since the last tune-up, your yearly contract will still renew at the anniversary of the current contract.

Can a service contract be transferred to the new owner if I sell my house?

Service contracts are non-transferrable.

Further Questions

I have a question concerning my contract, billing, delivery, or equipment. Who can help me?

Please contact your supplier directly for any questions regarding your contract; or issues involving billing, service, delivery, or equipment.

Fuel Oil Contact Information:

Bottini Fuel Contact information:

Email to [email protected] or call 845 297-4915

Paraco Contact Information:

Email to [email protected]  or call 845 293-6201.

How can I contact MHFBC if I have any other questions?

You can post a question on our Facebook page, which we monitor closely. Also, earlier Facebook posts may already have the answer to your question. Alternatively you can Contact Us.

How can I get on your email list to receive updates and messages?

Registering an account with us will automatically get you on our email list.