Southern States Heating & Fuel Locations
Fairfax Petroleum Service
Store History: Since 1945 we have been serving all of Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington Counties. We also service parts of Loudoun and Fauquier counties.
Store Hours:
Office Hours - Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pump Island Hours - Monday - Friday 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Store Information: Manager - Dennis Shirkey
| Address | Contact |
|---|---|
| 14401 Penrose Pl Chantilly VA 20151 P.O. Box 220409 Chantilly VA 201053-0409 |
Phone: (703) 378-4865 Emergency: (703) 524-6211 E-mail: Fairfax@sscoop.com |
Services Available:
- Bulk Propane Delivery
- Bulk Heating Oil Delivery
- Bulk Diesel Delivery
- Bulk Gasoline Delivery
- Diesel & Gasoline Tank Installation
- Propane Tank Installation
- Heating Oil Tank Installation
- Generator Sales, Installation and Service
- Motor Oil and Lube Sales
- HVAC Installation (Heat pump and Air Conditioning Units)
- HVAC Service
- Burner Service
- Propane Service
- Propane Appliance Sales
- 24 Hour Emergency Service
- Propane Heating Equipment Sales/Hearth Products
- Propane Gas Grills
- Boiler Installation
- Answering Service
- Tank-less Propane Water Heaters
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I leave my oil tank full through the summer?
Warm days and cool nights cause condensation. Any empty space in your tank is a place for moisture and bacteria to build up and grow. After the bacteria dies, it falls to the bottom of your tank and can cause faster sludge buildup in the bottom of your tank. This is one of the leading causes of system breakdowns.
Water in your tank can also corrode your tank, and if it gets into your heating system, it can become another cause of breakdowns. You can help prevent these problems, by keeping your tank full year round.
What should I do if my heat does not work?
If your heat does not come on, follow this checklist. After each step, listen to hear if the burner goes on.
- Check the heating system switches to make sure they are on. They are red switches. One is probably located in a closet or stairwell. The other is probably near the heating unit.
- Measure the oil in the tank. Is it empty or below 1/8 full?
- Check the thermostat. Is it set above room temperature, and to "Heat"?
- Check the unit’s fuses or circuit breaker.
- Press the reset button on the burner relay once only. If you don’t know where it’s located, call us.
- If the unit comes on and stays on, great. If it comes on for about 90 seconds and then quits, or if it does not start at all, call us.
If I have an emergency with my home heating system, can I call you after hours?
Yes. All calls after hours are forwarded to our answering service. The answering service will ask your name, phone number, and the nature of the emergency. We will return your call as soon as possible, and if necessary a service technician will be dispatched to your home to solve the problem. Being accessible at all time is just one of the ways Southern States strives to give you the best service possible.
What exactly is an emergency?
After normal business hours, we consider the following as emergencies:
- No Heat
- A serious fuel leak is discovered
- The problem appears dangerous
After I start automatic delivery, will I ever have to call and adjust my schedule?
Only if a big change occurs. Babies, long illness’ and the elderly all need a warmer home to stay healthy and comfortable. This can affect the rate at which your home burns fuel. If this rate changes and we don’t know about it, you run the risk of running out of fuel. Please call us if there is a change in your household.
I seem to be using more fuel. What could be causing this?
Changes in your home or lifestyle can cause you to use fuel faster. If you’re on automatic delivery, please call and tell us if you have a change, so we don’t miss a beat and you don’t miss a delivery. The top 10 reasons why you could be using more fuel are:
- Adding a new room to your house
- Turning a basement into living space
- Installing a dishwasher or washing machine (if your hot water comes from your boiler)
- Bringing home a new baby
- Having a family member who is ill
- Ceasing to use a space heater or wood stove
- Allowing your child to move back home
- Installing a new oversized bathtub (if your hot water comes from your boiler)
- Having a recurring drip from a hot water faucet (if your hot water comes from your boiler)
- Having a leak in your oil tank
Winter in almost here. Is there anything I can do to make sure my heating system is ready for the job ahead?
Here are a few ways to prepare your home’s heating system for the upcoming cold. Taking a few minutes now can save a lot of anxiety of the first wintry day.
First, make sure your basement is clean. Dust or lint from clothes dryer, sawdust from a woodworking projects or pet hair can reduce your system’s efficiency and cause service problems.
Second, if it hasn’t been cold enough for your burner to kick on, take five minutes for this simple test. Turn the thermostat up above room temperature. Your furnace or boiler should come on. Let it run a few minutes. If there is a problem, we can get to you much quicker now than we can during the first cold snap (when most people call).
Third, an annual turn-up is the best way to make sure your system is ready for the cold. We can detect and prevent many problems that may occur. We’ll adjust your system to peak efficiency and help you save on your fuel bills. Customers who have a service agreement with us have an annual turn-up included with their agreement.
Additional tips include: moving furniture, paintings and other large items away from your vents, so that air flows freely; marking your fill pipe well and keeping it clear of leaves and snow during the heating season.
Fuel Oil Tank Self-Inspection Checklist
- Are the tank legs unstable or on a precarious foundation?
- Are there any signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or excessive dents on the tank’s surface?
- Is the oil filter located outside where it is exposed to snow and ice, or to foot traffic?
- Do any oil lines between the tank and the furnace run either under concrete or underground without being encased in protective tubing?
- Is there danger of snow or ice falling on the tank?
- Is the tank vent clogged or restricted because of ice, snow, or insect nests? (Screened vents can be used to prevent insect nest problems)
- Is your tank missing a vent alarm?
- Is the vent whistle silent when the tank is being filled? (Ask your delivery person)
- Are there signs of spills around the fill pipe or the vent pipe?
- Is the fuel gauge cracked, struck, or frozen…or are there signs of oil around it?
If the answer to any of the above is yes, please call us so that we can send a technician out to fix your problem.
