You sign up with a new heating oil company hoping for reliable deliveries and fair prices. Then the first bill arrives, or your AC dies on a 95-degree day. Suddenly those online reviews matter a lot. Slomin’s has been serving the New York area for decades, but what do real customers say about their home heating oil and air conditioning services? This article digs into actual reviews, common complaints, pricing structures, and how Slomin’s compares with other local providers. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to expect if you contract with them, and how to handle issues if they pop up.
Full disclosure: if you’re thinking about starting a heating oil delivery business of your own, there’s a Heating Oil Delivery Service Business Plan – MS Word/Excel available that includes a 3-year financial model, a full business plan, and a PowerPoint deck. It’s not for everyone, but it gives a realistic look at the operational side of companies like Slomin’s. I mention it here because understanding the business model helps you read customer reviews with a sharper eye.
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Heating Oil Delivery Service Business Plan - MS Word/Excel
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Buy on AmazonWhat Slomin’s Offers and Who They Serve
Slomin’s is a family-run company based in Hicksville, New York. They provide home heating oil delivery, air conditioning service, and some related security systems. Their service area covers most of Long Island and parts of New York City’s outer boroughs. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, they’re likely an option.
Their heating oil delivery runs on an automatic delivery schedule. They monitor your usage based on degree days and past consumption. The idea is you never run out of oil. But customers report mixed results on that front. Some say the schedule works fine. Others claim they’ve run dry mid-winter, which is a nightmare.
On the AC side, Slomin’s handles installations, repairs, and maintenance for central air systems and ductless mini-splits. They also sell service contracts for annual tune-ups. Those contracts can save you on emergency calls, but the fine print matters.
One thing Slomin’s does well is customer service response on their end. Their office staff tend to be polite on the phone. But speed of response when a technician actually shows up… that’s another story.
Customer Reviews and Ratings Breakdown
Pulling from Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau, the picture is messy. Slomin’s holds an A+ rating with the BBB. That doesn’t mean no complaints – the BBB rating tracks how a company responds to complaints. Slomin’s resolves most of them. On Google, they average around 3.7 to 4.0 stars. On Yelp, it’s closer to 3.0. The difference comes from who posts where. Google reviews often come from customers who just want to say thanks. Yelp users tend to be the ones with a problem.
Common themes in positive reviews: fast delivery during cold snaps, friendly technicians, and clear pricing on contracts. Negative reviews focus on billing issues, missed appointments, and high prices for non-contract service calls. The company’s reputation rating is solid but not stellar. It’s a reliable choice if you understand the potential hiccups.
A few numbers: roughly 70% of Google reviews give 4 or 5 stars. On Yelp, that drops to about 50%. If you see a lot of 1-star reviews, read them carefully. Many are from people who didn’t have a service contract and were shocked by the repair bill. That’s not unique to Slomin’s. It’s the industry.
Common Complaints and How Slomin’s Addresses Them
Billing Issues
This is the top complaint. Customers say their bill doesn’t match the quoted price, or they’re charged for services they didn’t request. One person reported a $200 discrepancy on an emergency AC repair. Slomin’s billing department is known to be hard to reach by phone. Emails get better results. The company’s standard response: they review the invoice and adjust if they find an error. It takes 3–5 business days.
Pro tip: get every quote in writing before work starts. Slomin’s will email a written estimate if you ask. Without that, it’s your word against theirs.
Missed Appointment Windows
Slomin’s promises a 4-hour window for service calls. Some customers report waiting all day. One reviewer said the technician showed up at 7 PM for a morning appointment. The company blames high call volumes in summer. That’s fair, but it doesn’t help when your AC is down.
Their customer service response to this complaint: they offer a $25 credit if they miss the window by more than an hour. You have to ask for it. Not everyone knows that.
Automatic Delivery Failures
Running out of heating oil is the worst scenario. Slomin’s uses a computer model to predict your usage. But if you have an old house with drafty windows, the model underestimates. The company will send an emergency delivery within 24 hours if you run dry. That costs extra – around $50 to $100 on top of the oil price. Best move: call them when your tank hits 25% and ask for a top-off. Don’t trust the algorithm blindly.
Pricing and Discounts Offered by Slomin’s
Slomin’s pricing structure is similar to other large oil dealers in the Northeast. They offer two main plans: automatic delivery at a market price (variable) or a fixed-price contract. The fixed-price contract locks in a per-gallon rate for the season. In winter 2026–2026, that rate was around $4.20 per gallon. That was higher than the spot market at times but cheaper than the spike in January.
They also offer discounts for:
- Paying upfront for the full season (typically 5–10% off)
- Signing up for automatic credit card payments (2% off)
- Referring a new customer ($50 credit)
- Buying a service contract bundle with oil delivery
The service contract runs about $200 to $300 per year. It covers one annual tune-up and a discount on repairs. Without a contract, a single after-hours AC repair can cost $500 or more. The contract probably pays for itself after one breakdown. But read the exclusions: it doesn’t cover refrigerant or major parts like a compressor.
Compare this with COD (cash on delivery) customers who call each time they need oil. Slomin’s charges a higher per-gallon price for those – usually 20 to 30 cents more. The automatic delivery schedule saves you money if you’re consistent.
Comparison with Competitors: How Slomin’s Stacks Up
Let’s look at Slomin’s against two other common Long Island providers: Petro and HomeServe. I’ve used all three. Here’s a rough comparison based on local customer feedback and my own experience.
| Feature | Slomin’s | Petro | HomeServe |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ | B+ |
| Average Google Stars | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Service Area | Long Island + outer boroughs | Northeast (national) | Long Island only |
| Automatic Delivery Reliability | Good; occasional misses | Very reliable; better tracking | Fair; more hands-on needed |
| Pricing (per gallon) | Market – competitive | Slightly higher | Lower base price |
| Service Contract Cost | $200–300/year | $250–350/year | $150–200/year |
| Customer Service Response | Good by phone; email slow | Excellent phone support | Mixed; long hold times |
| Emergency Response Time | 24 hours for oil; 4–6 hours for AC | 12–24 hours | 24–48 hours (oil only) |
Slomin’s sits in the middle. Petro has a stronger national reputation and better tracking software. HomeServe offers lower prices but less responsive service. Slomin’s biggest advantage: they’re local. Their technicians know Long Island houses – the old boilers, the weird ductwork in post-war ranches. That counts for something.
Case Studies: Positive Customer Experiences
The Early Winter Rush
Mark from Huntington called Slomin’s in November after his furnace started making a banging noise. He had no service contract. The technician arrived within 3 hours, diagnosed a dirty burner, cleaned it, and charged $180. Mark later signed up for a contract. He said the technician explained what he was doing and didn’t try to upsell a new furnace. That’s rare.
The Summer AC Tune-Up
Linda from Hicksville used Slomin’s for a routine AC tune-up through her service contract. The technician found a failing capacitor before it died. Replaced it for $40 under the contract’s parts discount. Linda’s system ran fine all summer. She posted a 5-star review mentioning the technician was on time and polite.
Automatic Delivery Done Right
A customer in Plainview had used Slomin’s automatic delivery for three years without a single run-out. He noted that they called him once when his tank was at 15% to confirm he was home. That’s a nice touch. The same customer found Slomin’s prices 15 cents higher than the cheapest spot price, but he valued the convenience.
These stories aren’t universal. But they show that when Slomin’s works well, it works very well. The key is being a proactive customer – read your bills, ask questions, and schedule maintenance early.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slomin’s Services and Policies
Does Slomin’s offer automatic delivery in all service areas?
Yes, automatic delivery is standard for every customer who signs up. They use degree-day tracking. But it only works if you give them accurate usage history when you start. New customers should provide at least 12 months of past bills. Without that, the system guesses, and guesses can be wrong. Call them after the first month to adjust.
How do I cancel my Slomin’s service contract?
You can cancel by phone or email. There’s no early termination fee if you cancel within the first 30 days. After that, they will refund the unused portion of the contract. But they subtract an administrative fee – usually $25. I’ve seen complaints about slow refunds (took 6–8 weeks for one customer). Follow up by email with a paper trail.
What payment methods does Slomin’s accept?
They take credit cards, debit cards, checks, and cash. For automatic delivery, they prefer automatic credit card payments. That gets you the 2% discount. They also accept PayPal on the website for one-time payments, but not for recurring. If you want to use a credit card for the fuel discount, set up autopay.
Can I request a specific technician for my service call?
You can request, but it’s not guaranteed. Slomin’s tries to respect preferences if you’ve had a good experience with a particular tech. Call a day ahead and ask. In my experience, they note the request but don’t always honor it. They’ll send whoever is available.
Does Slomin’s install new HVAC systems?
Yes, they install central air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces. They carry a few brands – mainly Rheem and Goodman. They also do mini-splits. Quotes are free and come with a written estimate. Expect a 2–3 week wait for installation in peak season (May–August). They don’t do mini-split ducting in old houses without a separate quote for electrical work, which they subcontract out.
Six Quick Takeaways You Can Use Right Now
- Always get written quotes. Slomin’s billing errors happen most often when you rely on verbal estimates. An email quote with a date removes the he-said-she-said.
- Don’t let your tank go below 25%. The automatic schedule isn’t perfect. A quick call when you’re at quarter tank prevents emergency fees and run-outs.
- Buy the service contract if you own your equipment. One breakdown covers the cost. But read the exclusions – refrigerants and major parts are often extra.
- Check your credit card statement each month. Unauthorized charges or double-billing is a known pain point. Dispute them immediately with Slomin’s billing department.
- Shop around for fixed-price oil contracts. Slomin’s rate is competitive but not always the lowest. Lock in early (August/September) before winter demand drives prices up.
- If you run out of oil, stay calm. Call Slomin’s emergency line, pay the extra fee, and in 24 hours you’ll have heat. Then request a manual tank check to see if the gauge is faulty.