A winter storm is more than an inconvenience when you’re living on a homestead. During a winter power outage, you still have a farm that needs running, equipment that requires fuel, and animals and a household to keep warm.
Fuel storage is essential for every component of homestead operations. During the winter, it’s a necessary commodity that protects everyone and everything.
Winter sneaks up on you quickly. One day there’s a brisk autumn chill in the air, and the next, there’s snow piled high on the ground. Naturally, the last thing you want to happen is to be unprepared to deal with outages.
If you’re new to homesteading, you might be wondering how to get fuel delivery to your homestead. What are the different types available for you to purchase, and how do you know whether you’ve chosen the right company?
You understandably have a long list of questions you want answered about having an adequate fuel source while living off the beaten path. This guide will help you learn about getting fuel delivery to your homestead and cover anything else you may need to know.
Why Do You Need Fuel Delivery?
Homesteaders do the best they can to live entirely sustainably off-grid. While heating will undoubtedly eat into your budget, you’ll want to prepare for whatever winter elements bring to your property, including power outages.
Imagine a mid-January snowstorm that barrels through your region, blanketing the area in a sheet of ice and shutting down gas stations and roads for days. Now consider how disastrous it would be if you had no fuel in your storage tanks and no way of keeping your household and livestock safe from the cold.
Surviving the long, hard winter requires a reliable heating system to keep warm — losing power is a real possibility homesteaders can’t afford. You can always bundle yourself up and wait for the snowstorm to pass, but the cold could pose a real danger to your animals.
Types of Fuel Sources for Homesteads
Homesteaders have different options for heating fuels, and many often search high and low for an effective and affordable source. Here are a few types of fuel sources they might consider.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is one of the most popular home heating sources in the United States, with about 32% of the nation using it for heating and cooling. Residential consumption of natural gas accounts for 15% of its total use.
Many homeowners install a gas meter connected to nearby natural gas pipelines, making this their most dependable heating source.
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon comprising methane, propane, ethane, carbon dioxide and butane. It’s one of the more affordable fuel sources but can contribute to poor air quality and global warming by releasing methane. Homesteaders that opt for natural gas should always ensure their system and its ductwork are free of cracks and leaks.
Most homeowners use natural gas to power their kitchen appliances, including ovens and refrigerators. They might also use it for their space heaters, hot water furnaces, and various equipment throughout the yard and garden, such as fire pits and barbecues.
Propane
Propane is also prevalent in U.S. households, particularly in rural areas, due to always being in sufficient supply.
About 40% of U.S. farms use propane to heat greenhouses, barns and incubation facilities. It also provides power to generators, irrigation engines, tractors and other vehicles.
However, there is always the risk of a propane shortage. It’s a byproduct of petroleum, so if there’s ever a petroleum shortage, you can count on the same for propane. Nevertheless, homesteaders and farmers often prefer it for its cost-effectiveness and few emissions.
Unlike natural gas, which connects to a line, propane is delivered to the homestead and stored in a tank. From there, homesteaders may link their source to a duct system to distribute propane heat throughout their homes and farms.
Oil
About 5.3 million U.S. households use oil to heat their homes, mainly in the northeast, where winters are usually longer.
Oil comes from crude oil and isn’t the most sustainable fuel source — it typically competes with natural gas and cleaner alternatives. Oil consumption also tends to fluctuate depending on the season — more households use it in the winter than at other points in the year.
If you opt for oil, you’ll need a fuel delivery service to fill an oil tank on your property. Supply depletion will require additional deliveries.
Some states no longer allow underground oil tank storage, and it may be in your best interest to choose an above-ground tank anyway. Underground oil tanks can cause severe environmental damage from leaks, costing you excessive amounts of money for remediation.
Above-ground tanks can hold large quantities of oil — many homesteaders may find that 500 to 5,000-gallon tanks are suitable for their farming and household needs.
Keep in mind that oil isn’t cheap. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) warned Americans in October 2022 that oil prices were 65% higher this year than last year — costing about $5.90 per gallon. You could spend almost $3,000 on fuel delivery for a 500-gallon tank.
Alternative Sources
Homesteaders may also consider alternative sources that steer clear of fossil fuels. Solar, wind, hydro and geothermal are all possibilities for sustainable power and heat generation, and homesteaders can integrate multiple sources for optimal energy.
Heat pumps utilize thermal energy from the ground, creating heat in a compressor as cool air generates in an evaporator. Coolants then extract heat from the outside to warm the inside of homes.
In some instances, homesteaders might use a traditional heat source like natural gas, propane or oil as a backup for renewable space heating. When renewable resources cannot fully meet your homestead’s requirements, you can tap into another fuel source to fulfill the rest of your needs.
Cleaner heat sources will become the norm as renewable energy technologies advance, allowing you to live and operate your homestead sustainably.
Choosing the Right Fuel Delivery Service
There are many factors to consider when selecting the best fuel delivery service for your homestead. Of course, homeowners will want excellent service at a great price. Here are some things you should ask about when speaking with professionals.
Service Area
You’ll likely search for a company that services your area, but it always helps to verify over the phone for maximum convenience.
Convenience goes beyond your physical location, though. For instance, does the company offer online billing and payments, or do you have to send checks or pay over the phone each time?
Automatic Fuel Delivery
Automatic delivery services make it easier to manage your fuel supply. Specialists should help you determine your needs based on several factors, including your household’s average weekly energy use, tank size and homestead’s climate.
Homesteaders might consider automatic fuel delivery to avoid scrambling during the busy season. You’ll also have peace of mind that you have a full tank each visit.
It’s also far more convenient than constantly checking your tank’s fuel levels. Additionally, automatic delivery is often cheaper since you only pay for what your household will use.
Competitive Pricing
Heating costs are at an all-time high across the United States. The World Economic Forum predicts a 28% hike in gas this winter over last year’s rate.
Look for a company that offers competitive prices. You only want to spend what is needed to heat your home.
Specials for New Customers
It doesn’t hurt to inquire about incentives for signing a contract with someone. Some companies offer special deals for new customers.
A discount can help cushion your bank account this winter, especially when you could be spending more when shopping for the holidays.
Additional Services
Look for a company that offers additional services to fuel delivery. For instance, some may also provide HVAC work, making them a one-stop shop for inspections and repairs.
It would be best if you had your HVAC system inspected once a year to ensure optimal performance. In a worst-case scenario, it might stop working in the bitter cold or drive up utility costs with inefficiency.
Tips for Getting Fuel Delivery to Your Homestead
Fuel delivery is a serious business — a job best left to professionals. However, as the homeowner, you know your property like the back of your hand, avoiding obstructions easily when walking around.
Your fuel delivery experts aren’t aware of potential hazards from your property’s entryway to the tank location, which is why homeowners must prepare for their visit. Here are three tips for getting your homestead ready for fuel delivery services.
1. Know Your Tank’s Location
The person delivering your fuel will need to know your tank’s location in advance. Additionally, you’ll need to know where it is to clear any debris from the surrounding area.
Depending on your homestead’s layout, your fuel tank may be beside the house, in the backyard, underground or in the basement. Regardless of its location, the tank must be easily accessible.
Additionally, it’s helpful to know where to locate your tank’s fill pipe. For instance, the tank could be underground, but fuel delivery professionals may need to reach it from the back or side of the house.
2. Prepare Your Property
Your property should be cleared on the day of service, meaning everything from the driveway and walkway to the area around the tank must be accessible.
Clear the Driveway and Walkway
The delivery truck may need to use the driveway when it arrives. Therefore, it’s important to park your cars elsewhere. You’ll also want to move basketball hoops or any other items in your driveway.
Additionally, the path to the tank should be clear. Clean up dog poop, trim back bushes and try to reduce puddles in the lawn. If your property has poor drainage, wait until your fuel’s been delivered before running the sprinkler system.
Organize Your Basement
If the fuel take is located in your basement, you’ll need to organize a path for the delivery specialist to navigate the area safely.
Basements often serve as storage for excess belongings. However, when items are thrown about, people are at a higher risk of tripping and falling.
Clear the Area Around the Tank
Naturally, it’s essential to clear the area around your fuel tank and the fill pipe. Rake up leaves and sticks, cut obtrusive branches and shovel away snow.
You’ll also want to remove any tools or boxes lying around in the grass, including lawnmowers, wheelbarrows or storage crates.
Trash cans kept on the side of the house should also be removed when the delivery person arrives.
3. Keep Kids and Pets Indoors
Always keep pets and kids inside the house when the fuel delivery truck arrives. If your property usually has stray animals roaming around, do your best to keep them a safe distance away by leaving food in a designated location.
Also, keep any livestock far away from the service area, such as in a pen or barn.
Other Things to Consider
In an emergency, keeping excess oil or propane in 5-gallon containers is a good idea. Just be sure to rotate your fuel storage regularly. Additives can improve its shelf life if you intend to store it for six months or longer.
Gas stoves will continue to operate when the power goes out as long as you can light them with a match.
Homesteaders that don’t have a backup heat source should invest in one. For instance, a wood-burning stove is sufficient for cooking, boiling water and heating your home. Just be sure to have proper ventilation. Studies show that houses with wood heat have 20.6% higher particulate matter (PM 2.5) than those that don’t.
Ensure Your Homestead Has Enough Fuel for Winter
Some fuel types aren’t the most sustainable, and if you’re on a homestead, you want your property and home to be as eco-friendly as possible. Just don’t be left without adequate heat this winter. A fuel delivery service is the surest way to protect your household and farm against colder temperatures and will help you make it through the winter without losing power.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
* Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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