FAQ
Have questions about your fuel, equipment or working with Bourne’s Energy?
Chances are, you aren’t the only one.
Take a look at the list of FAQ questions we are most frequently asked and see if these might help you.
Can’t find the information you need?
Please contact us.
Home Heating FAQ
A delivery should be called in when your tank is between 20%-30%. We require deliveries to be called in a minimum of 2 business days ahead of our day in your area, prior to 11AM. Days in area are subject to change. By calling in at 20%-30% this typically provides ample time for your ticket to be scheduled on your next day in area to avoid off-route charges.
What do I do if I have No Heat:
Turn your thermostat up to see if it comes on.
- The burner may not start unless the thermostat setting is 3 degrees higher than room temp.
- Are the batteries in your thermostat dead?
Check that your Emergency Switch in the “ON” position.
- This switch (which is usually red) would typically be located at the top of the cellar stairway or on the heating unit.
Check the breaker panel to see if the breaker has tripped.
- Try the “reset button”.
- This is usually a red button on the burner or smoke stack control. ONLY PUSH THIS ONE TIME.
Check the gauge on your fuel tank. Could you be out of fuel?
- IF you have a propane system: Check any other pieces of equipment that are running on LP (range, water heater, dryer, etc.) Are they working?
A boiler or furnace needs to be a minimum of 12” above grade.
The trench for your gas line needs to be 18” deep and one thing of note is, the gas line cannot be in the same hole as an electrical line.
Propane FAQ
When you contact Bourne’s Energy, we’ll ask you about the appliances in your home that will be using propane as well as the square footage and a few other things. Using this information we’ll choose a tank size that will suite your needs.
No, unfortunately State law prohibits one company from filling a tank belonging to another company. However, if you have another company’s tank and are looking to switch, we could conveniently add you to our schedule and set one of our tanks at your property.
Yes! In fact, not only is propane safe, it is considered a clean burning fuel and has a long and excellent track record of safety. The Bourne’s Energy team has many years of experience and expertise in the fuel industry and are always available to support our customers, as well.
Propane in its natural state is actually odorless. Therefore, an odorant called ethyl mercaptan is added to the fuel after it is produced. This odor is added to allow for the early detection of leaks.
- Immediately extinguish any source of ignition such as candles, cigarettes. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or fire.
- Get everyone, including pets, out of the house immediately.
- Call 911.
- If you can do so safely turn off your propane tank(s). To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
- Once the fire department has cleared the residence, call Bourne’s so we can get a service technician to the scene to investigate. (800-326-8763)
- Let the certified technician be the one to turn the propane tank back on.
- Do not enter the residence until it has been deemed safe by first responders and technician.
- Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, Bourne’s Energy must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.
At the top of your tank there is a shut off valve that you can turn to the right (clockwise) to shut off your tank. If you have an underground tank, you will need to lift the dome cover that is on the tank in order to access the shutoff.
This gauge shows your tank between 75%-80% full. A full tank of propane is considered full at 80%. Just like water, propane expands in the heat. Propane increases almost 17 times the volume of water at the same increase in temperature, and for that reason propane needs room to expand into. That’s why your propane tank should never be filled above 80%
This gauge shows between 20% and 30% and when we prefer you call in to schedule your delivery.
This gauge shows the tank at about 7%. You should call in and coordinate with delivery how soon we can be out depending on your day in area. If you run out of propane, a leak check is required. Customers that are not on automatic delivery will be charged for this is in addition to the cost of the fuel.
500 gallon underground tanks need a 4’W x 4’D x 10’L hole dug
1000 gallon underground tanks need a 4’W x 4’D x 20’L hole dug
Where can I set my propane tank(s)?
Typical tank locations for a residential propane tank include:
- 100 gallon tanks – 5’ from window or door, but can be tight to a building, preferably a gable end
- 500 gallon aboveground tank – 10’ from a building or property line
- 1,000 gallon aboveground tank – 25’ from a building or property line
- Underground tank – 10’ from building or property line.
Biofuel FAQ
Bioheat® or Biodiesel burns cleanly, reliably and efficiently and has very low environmental impact compared to other energy sources.
Yes, one of the great benefits of Bioheat® is that it can be used in any oil heating system without modification. The homeowner continues to enjoy the same seamless, reliable heating that they have come to expect while helping to assure environmental responsibility and energy security.
Yes, Bioheat® is a comparable fuel to heating oil and will produce the same results in your furnace.
As your fuel supplier, we have decided to supply all our customers with Bioheat®. We are confident the quality and performance of the fuel will be to your liking and, in fact, you will not see a difference in the day-to-day operation of your heating system. The benefits of Bioheat® – clean, reliable, domestic with a renewable component, are here to stay.
With more than close to 150 biodiesel production plants in the U.S. having the capacity to produce 2.5 billion gallons of biodiesel each year, the domestic supply of biodiesel is assured. The agricultural byproducts and co-products (plant oils, animal fats and other oils) used in making biodiesel come from farms right here in America.
Yes, both standard heating oil and biodiesel have established quality and performance standards as set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The blended Bioheat is accepted by the ASTM as being a comparable fuel with heating oil. Additionally, every oilburner sold in the U.S. is listed to run on Bioheat®. The biodiesel industry also has its own quality program called BQ-9000. This program covers storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices.
Visit this helpful website – BioHeat – The Revolution in Oilheat
Oil FAQ
Biofuel can be blended as a gallon-for-gallon replacement for conventional heating oil and the EPA reports that it helps reduce GHG emissions between 57%-86%.
It doesn’t require any equipment modifications, yet because it’s a natural solvent, it helps clean your heating system which enhances and extends the life of your equipment.
It doesn’t require any changes to your service and it’s available today! It’s a renewable solution that works with existing infrastructure.
It’s cost-efficient and eco-friendly, reducing the carbon footprint here in Vermont!
No, for well over a decade now, Bourne’s Energy has been delivering biofuel to our oil customers. We made a conscious decision as a company to try and reduce not only our carbon footprint but that of our customers by delivering various blends of biofuel. Purchasing oil from Bourne’s Energy means purchasing biofuel from Bourne’s Energy. We believe it’s the right thing to do for our customers and for Vermont.
Wood Pellets FAQ
All the wood pellets we sell come from the Northeast. Bourne’s Energy is the exclusive dealer of bulk wood pellets for Vermont Wood Pellets and one of only a handful of bagged sellers. We also sell Curran Wood Pellets and LG Granules.
Wood pellets should be stored in a cool, dry place in airtight containers or sealed bags to prevent moisture absorption. Moisture can cause pellets to break down and become less effective. Bourne’s Energy sells various options like bags and bins for bulk pellet storage.
Wood pellets are designed for use in pellet stoves and boilers specifically designed for them. They should not be used in traditional wood-burning stoves, as they require different combustion conditions and fuel delivery systems.
Wood pellets are a type of biomass solid fuel made from compressed sawdust or wood shavings. They are typically cylindrical in shape and are used for heating, cooking, and generating energy. Bourne’s Energy sells both bulk and bagged wood pellets for commercial and residential use.
General FAQ
Yes! We can do virtual site visits for equipment and propane tank installations as well as fuel oil tank inspections.
- Generators need to typically be located a minimum of 5’ from buildings or combustibles (unless approved by manufacturer)
- Generators need to be a minimum of 5’ from any opening into a building
- Generators need to be a minimum of 5’ from regulators
- Generators need to be a minimum of 10’ from any propane tank
It is the manufacturer that dictates whether an appliance can be installed in a residence and, most often, that answer is no. If you are looking at a used appliance, check the data plate and if it states “Intended for other than household use” or “This equipment is not recommended for residential installation” or something to that effect, then unfortunately, you cannot install it.
Here are some resources you can turn to.
Capstone Community Action Agencies
www.capstonevt.org
Lamoille County
(800) 639-1053 After Hours (866)331-7741
250 Industrial Park, Morrisville, VT 05661
Washington County
(800) 639-1053 After Hours (866)331-7741
20 Gable Place
Barre, VT 05641-4138
MAD RIVER VALLEY
(800) 639-1053 After hours (800) 479-6151
4335 Main Street
Evergreen Senior Center
Waitsfield, VT 05673
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY FURNACE REPAIR
(877) 295-7998
North East Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
Caledonia County
(888) 748-6040 Toll Free Saint Johnsbury Office
(802) 472-3183 Information & Services – Thursday Only for NEKCA
(802) 334-7316 Information & Services Newport Office
(877) 295-7998 Toll Free Emergency Furnace Repair ‘After Hours’
(866) 331-7741 Toll Free Crisis Fuel ‘After Hours’
Home Default
Hardwick
7 Mill Street
Hardwick, VT 05843
St Johnsbury
115 Lincoln Street
Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819
Essex County
49 Mill Street Extension
Town Hall – Basement
Island Pond, VT 05846
Orleans County
70 Main Street
Newport, VT 05855
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)
Grand Isle County
(800) 300-7392 Toll Free
(802) 527-7392 Information & Services
Alburgh
57 Main Street
Islands in the Sun Senior Center
Alburgh, VT 05440
Grand Isle
Route 2
Saint Joseph’s Church
Grand Isle, VT 05458
Franklin County
(800) 300-7392 Toll Free Main Office
(877) 295-7998 Toll Free Emergency Furnace Repair ‘AfterHours’
(866) 331-7741 Toll Free Crisis Fuel ‘After Hours’
5 Lemnah Drive
Saint Albans, VT 05478
How to Apply for State Heating Assistance
Call Economic Services Division at 800-479-6151 or 802-241-1165
Visit website http://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/fuel-assistance
Communicating with Bourne’s Energy
If the phones are busy and you can’t seem to get through to the office, we still want to make sure we are taking care of you! If you are calling in, we encourage you to stay on the line, you will be given the option to leave a voicemail or get through to our answering service who will relay your message.
For non-emergency calls, you are welcome to send us an email at: Bournes@Bournes.net
You can access your fuel account 24/7 by going to:
My Fuel Account
You will need to know your account number to create the account.
We also have Smartphone you can download the Bourne’s Energy app:
OR
Have you turned your thermostat up to see if it comes on?
- The burner may not start unless the thermostat setting is 3 degrees higher than room temp.
- Are the batteries in your thermostat dead?
Is your Emergency Switch in the “ON” position?
- This switch (which is usually red) would typically be located at the top of the cellar stairway or on the heating unit.
Have you checked the breaker panel to see if the breaker has tripped?
Have you tried the “reset button”?
- This is usually a red button on the burner or smoke stack control. ONLY PUSH THIS ONE TIME.
What does the gauge on your fuel tank read? Could you be out of fuel?
IF you have a propane system:
- What other pieces of equipment are running on LP (range, water heater, dryer, etc.) Are they working?