Annual Inspections Verify Heating Oil Truck Meters and Guarantee Consumers Receive What They Pay for in Every Delivery
To see the inspection process, watch video by clicking here.
Westchester County has released a new video showcasing the Department of Consumer Protection's rigorous testing process to inspect home heating oil delivery trucks. Each year, Weights and Measures Inspectors from the County's Department of Consumer Protection conduct nearly 300 inspections on home heating oil trucks. This program protects consumers by ensuring they receive the exact fuel they pay for, maintaining integrity in every transaction.
Tests for meter accuracy are conducted using a certified 300-gallon prover to simulate a typical home heating oil delivery. Inspectors pump and measure 300 gallons, checking for precise meter calibration. Each truck's delivery tickets are also reviewed to ensure compliance with required information standards, including company details, total gallons delivered, and beginning and ending meter readings for each transaction.
County Executive George Latimer said: "When Westchester County residents pay for heating oil, they deserve complete confidence that they're receiving every gallon they paid for. Our testing program ensures fair and transparent practices that protect homeowners from potential discrepancies. This program is one of the many ways we stand behind Westchester consumers."
Director of Consumer Protections James Maisano said: "We take consumer protection seriously, and our team's work in inspecting heating oil trucks is critical to that mission. By holding fuel providers to high standards of accuracy and honesty, we're working to give Westchester County residents peace of mind about the fairness of their purchases."
County Sealer of Weights and Measures Ethan Bogren: "Our testing facility uses advanced equipment to detect discrepancies or tampering, giving us a reliable, thorough way to measure each truck's output. Westchester homeowners can trust that the trucks passing inspection meet our standards, thanks to my team's dedication to accuracy."
Weights and Measures Inspectors also check that each truck's security seals are intact. These seals protect the meter's calibration points, ensuring no adjustments are made between inspections. Inspectors also check for any signs of tampering or fraud, including possible modifications to the air eliminator valve or false piping.
Trucks that pass inspection receive a vinyl sticker as a visible mark of compliance, assuring homeowners of the accuracy and fairness of their heating oil delivery. Inspectors place the sticker on the passenger side window of the delivery truck. The sticker indicates the date that the truck was last inspected. By enforcing these standards, Westchester County protects residents from fraudulent practices, ensuring that consumers are charged accurately for every delivery.
For any questions or further information, please contact the Westchester County Consumer Protection Department at 914-995-2155.