Per-gallon charges
The headline. Set by region, tank size, fill volume and contract type. Typical US residential range during heating season: $2.40-$3.20 per gallon. Larger fills get better rates; smaller top-offs get worse rates. See how companies set prices.
Tank rent
Annual fee for a leased tank. Typical: $50-$150. Often waived above a minimum annual purchase volume (commonly 400-500 gallons). Customer-owned tanks have no rent.
Delivery / hazmat / fuel surcharge
Per-delivery charge covering transport. Typical: $5-$25 per delivery. Some dealers split this into separate hazmat and fuel components; others fold it into the per-gallon rate.
Minimum delivery penalty
If you order a delivery below the dealer's minimum (typically 100-150 gallons), the per-gallon rate jumps and/or a separate small-fill fee applies. This is one of the larger surprise costs for light users.
After-hours / emergency delivery
Premium rate for deliveries outside business hours or in emergency situations. Typical: $100-$300 above standard delivery.
Out-of-gas restart / leak test
Required by NFPA 58 after any complete tank run-out. The dealer's technician must pressure-test the system before service resumes. Typical: $50-$150. Often waived for active auto-fill customers.
Service-call rate
For maintenance, repairs and inspections. Typical: $75-$200 per service call, sometimes plus parts. Annual inspections may be included in some service plans.
Tank pickup fee
Charged at contract exit when the dealer collects a leased tank. Typical: $100-$300. Some states cap or prohibit punitive pickup fees through anti-fill laws. See early termination fees.
Late payment fee
Standard finance charges if you miss the payment due date. Typical: 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance.
FAQ
Which charges are negotiable?
Tank rent waivers, first-fill discounts, tank pickup fee caps and service-call inclusions are all worth pushing on. Per-gallon rates are harder but possible at high volumes.
Which charges should I avoid signing up to?
Punitive liquidated damages clauses beyond the tank pickup fee. Unbounded price-change clauses. Tank rent that survives cancellation. Walk away from any of these.