Frequently Asked Questions

WHY CHOOSE FOSTER FUELS?

Established in 1921, Foster Fuels is a third-generation, Foster family-owned-and-operated business headquartered in Campbell County, Virginia. We now serve customers in all regions of the United States, and we pride ourselves on our customer service. Call any of our locations’ numbers, day or night, and a person will answer—not a machine. As a full-service company, we will handle everything from helping you find the perfect gas appliance to installation, fuel delivery, and maintenance. Our full-time service crews are highly trained and certified, ensuring that you receive the highest quality product possible. Foster Fuels has the capacity to serve any size customer with reliability, strong customer service, and fair pricing. We’ve been staying strong and growing for almost 100 years, and we will continue doing so for many years to come. Find out what others are saying about Foster Fuels.

WHERE DO I START?

Foster Fuels is happy to help you with any questions you have. We will even come to your home or business and provide you with a free estimate. Become a customer by filling out our Become a Customer Form, or talk to our friendly staff by calling 800-344-6457 toll free.

WHAT IF I CURRENTLY USE ANOTHER FUEL SERVICE PROVIDER?

We want you to become a part of the Foster Fuels family and to experience the difference. We will switch out your current provider’s tank and replace it with a Foster Fuels tank at no charge. We will also do a safety leak check at no charge to ensure that your system is safe. We will do everything possible to make your transition as smooth as possible. Become a customer today by calling or by going to our Become a Customer page.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A TANK?

Most of our customers use Foster Fuels’ tank rental program. The tank rental program allows you to make small, manageable, quarterly payments instead of one larger upfront transaction. With our rental program, Foster Fuels assumes the responsibility of maintaining your tank and completing any maintenance required. We also sell tanks, and we will help you find the best tank size for your needs. Learn more about our tanks here.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M OUT OF GAS?

Each tank has a gauge that shows the percentage of gas left in the tank. If the dial on the gauge is at 50, the tank is 50% full. We suggest you have your tank filled before it gets below 20%—once your tank is below the 20% mark, you run the risk of depleting the pressure in your tank, which could interrupt the operation of your appliances. Many of our customers choose to be on the auto-fill program so that they do not have to worry about running out of gas. If you choose auto-fill, our highly trained drivers will check your tank regularly, at no charge, so you don’t have to.

WHAT DO I DO IF I SMELL GAS OR SUSPECT A LEAK?

Please do not take any unnecessary risks! If you smell something, take the following precautions and contact us as soon as possible—we want to help you through it.

  1. Eliminate flames or sparks! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources may provide an ignition source for a rapidly developing fire.
  2. Leave the area immediately! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking. If the suspected leak is outside, stay uphill and upwind at least 50 feet away.
  3. Shut off the gas. If you feel safe to do so, turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
  4. Report the suspected leak. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the suspected gas leak, call Foster Fuels or your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
  5. Do not return to the building or area until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
  6. Get your system checked. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

Learn more about safety by visiting our Safety page.

WHERE DO I BUY MY GAS LOGS?

At Foster Fuels, we have full-service showrooms where you can see how various gas appliances operate. Choose us for your gas logs, and we’ll make sure you receive the best quality service and appliances offered in the industry. We strive to sell American-made appliances that are top quality and reliable. Our expert sales staff is trained and knowledgeable and will help you find the best fit for your family or business. You want quality and safety in your home, and so do we. Come by one of our showroom locations.

WHAT APPLIANCES CAN USE PROPANE?

Propane is a very versatile gas. You can use propane for gas logs, gas grills, gas ranges, tankless water heaters, supplemental heaters, gas lights, patio heaters, cooking, clothes dryers, etc. Learn more about propane’s benefits by visiting our Propane page.

WHAT IF I NEED SERVICE ON MY GAS APPLIANCE?

Foster Fuels is a full-service company and would be happy to repair, service, or answer any questions you may have about your gas appliance. Please contact us today.

DO MY GAS LOGS NEED TO BE CLEANED?

Yes, we recommend you set up a log cleaning with one of our highly skilled and trained professionals at least once per year. Pet hair, dust, spider webs, and other small particles can end up clogging and disabling your logs from lighting. Our trained technicians will carefully and efficiently clean your log set, ensuring a longer-lasting appliance that operates efficiently. Request a gas log cleaning here.

WHY ARE MY LOGS PRODUCING SOOT?

If your gas logs are producing soot, there could be a few things happening: they could be dirty, the logs may have shifted out of position, or the log set might be old. Though there are several different reasons why soot is being produced, soot should not be coming from your gas logs. Please contact us, and we will have one of our trained technicians come inspect the situation.

I CAN’T LIGHT MY PILOT LIGHT.

Sometimes when gas logs have been out of use for a while (for instance, over the summer), it could take several minutes for the pilot to light. Your gas logs may also need to be cleaned. Please contact us if you are having trouble lighting your pilot, and our trained staff will help you manage the situation quickly and safely.

SHOULD I CHOOSE AN ABOVE-GROUND OR UNDERGROUND TANK?

The style of tank you choose is mostly based on personal preference; however, there are some localities that require underground tanks. No matter which tank you choose, you can be assured that Foster Fuels will provide you with the best quality craftsmanship that will last for many years. Underground tanks are not harmful to the soil, and propane is nontoxic. One of the main benefits of having an underground tank is that the only visible part of the tank is the lid—this remains above-ground so that the driver has access to fill the tank. Usually, the lid is painted green to match the environment around it.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM MOVING?

Each customer has a unique set of circumstances when moving to a new location. Please call the office near you, and we will help take care of your individual situation.

WHAT IS THE HAZMAT FEE?

It is Foster Fuels’ priority to ensure that you, your family, and your assets are continually safe. Our hazmat (an abbreviation for “hazardous material”) fee goes toward the teaching and certifications required to qualify our technicians and drivers to handle hazardous materials. We have one of the lowest fees in the industry. To learn more about our safety program, please visit our Safety page.

WHAT IS PROPANE?

Propane is an energy-rich gas. It is a hydrocarbon (C3H8) and is sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP-gas, or LPG. For more information on propane, please refer to our Propane page.

WHAT IF I NEED FUEL ON A HOLIDAY?

Foster Fuels is full service and will deliver any time, any day if the need arises. We are a 24/7 business and are always prepared to serve our customers.

HOW DOES FOSTER FUELS HANDLE HIGH DEMAND?

Foster Fuels is not reliant on any other third-party service to receive our fuel, so we are in control when it comes to our fuel supply. We own a large transport division that brings fuel directly from the pipeline to our facility and then to your home or business. This ensures a constant flow of fuel to our customers. That is why so many customers trust us to provide emergency fuel to their businesses across the nation. Visit our Mission Critical page to see why we are the company others rely on for receiving critical fuel in times of need.

WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVE?

We currently provide our full services to Central Virginia, Southside Virginia, and the Charlottesville area for residential services. We are licensed in every state and are prepared to deliver fuel across the nation.

Foster Fuels Mission Critical, our emergency response division, is ready to assist nationwide with offices in Brookneal, VA, Sterling, VA, Pheonix, AZ, and Cocoa, FL.

To find out if you are in our service area, please call the location nearest you.

 

Have a different question?

If you don’t see your question above, please feel free to contact us by calling or by filling out the form below—we would be happy to help.