FAQs Home Heating Oil Donations
Who picks up my used oil?
We work with Oil Re-Refining Company (ORRCO) to handle the heating oil collection for our program.
Does it cost anything to donate my heating oil?
There are two typical scenarios for heating oil donations. If you have more than 150 gallons of heating oil to donate, there is no charge to have ORRCO pick it up. If you have less than 150 gallons, there will be a $110.00 service charge to have the oil pumped. This charge is from ORRCO, not Oregon HEAT, and is payable at the time the tank is pumped.
Does ORRCO get everything out of the tank?
ORRCO should be able to get most of the material out when they pump the tank. When they are finished pumping, the tank should be ready for the next stage in the decommissioning process.
Can ORRCO decommission my underground tank?
ORRCO does not decommission underground heating oil tanks. If you would like more information on underground heating oil tank requirements, please visit the Oregon DEQ Heating Oil tank webpage.
Will you take my heating oil tank as a donation?
Oregon HEAT does not take heating oil tanks as a donation.
Is my heating oil donation tax-deductible?
Oregon HEAT will provide you with a letter acknowledging your charitable contribution of heating oil. The letter will state the quantity of oil donated, and it is up to you to determine the value of the oil. You may use this letter for tax deduction purposes.
Who gets help from this program?
The funds raised from your heating oil donation goes back into your county to help low-income families who need assistance purchasing heating oil.
Do you give the donated oil to families so they can burn it for heat?
No. ORRCO pays us for the salvage value of the heating oil donation. We take these funds and use them for emergency energy assistance; Oregon HEAT and the families we serve never come into contact with the donated heating oil.
What kind of heating oil can you accept as a donation?
Any heating oil that is approved to burn in residential oil furnaces is acceptable for donation to our program. This includes biodiesel blends such as B20.
The heating oil in my tank has been sitting unused for many years. Is it still ok to donate?
Yes, the age of your heating oil is not a factor for our oil recycling program.
There is water in my oil tank. Is it still ok to donate?
There is often a small amount of water present in underground oil tanks, and it typically does not pose any problems with the donation. However in rare occasions the amount of water may exceed a level that allows ORRCO to process it normally and there may be an additional charge to remove the excess water from the tank. This usually only occurs in underground tanks that have not been used recently and may have a structural issue that is allowing water to accumulate within the tank.
Donate to Oregon HEAT
Your contributions make everything possible. Make a one-time or reccuring donation today.
News & Events
View all News & Events »Oregon HEAT Spring 2012 Newsletter
Its' not the winter...Upload our Spring 2012 Newsletter here. ... Read More »
“ Life for Melissa and her husband, Don Dexter, was full of inspiring hope and accomplishment. They had saved to buy their first house... Read More ยป”
