Deiter Bros. Focused On Future with Expanded Offerings, Innovations

It may be on the approach to its 85^th year in business, but Deiter Bros. Heating Cooling & Energy is clearly focused on the future. In a timespan of less than 18 months, the family-owned firm has expanded its energy offerings, extended its geographic reach and volume, and introduced a new payment plan similar to those offered by the electric and water utilities. And there are more innovations on the horizon, according to a member of the Deiter family management team. 

Looking to expand its energy choices beyond heating oil and transportation fuels, Deiter Bros. added propane sales and delivery a little over one year ago.

“Propane provided a bit more energy diversity and dovetailed well with our traditional base and delivery radius,” says James G. Deiter, Vice President. “Attaching our company brand to propane proved viable so we took it to the next level with the acquisition of GreenWorks Propane in late 2012.” 

Bringing GreenWorks into the family bolstered Deiter’s customer base, increased product volume and cast a wider geographic service net throughout an 11-county region of eastern PA and western NJ. It also presented a platform to cross-sell traditional Deiter fuel products and its heating and cooling systems service.

“GreenWorks was a fuel delivery company exclusively. Plans are now underway to offer heating and cooling mechanical services to those customers,” Deiter said, noting that their responsive team of certified technicians backed by a deep parts inventory has always been a company strength.

For 26 years running, Deiter Bros. has been voted the #1 heating and cooling service in independent consumer research surveys conducted by Who’s Who in Lehigh Valley Business. 

Perhaps the most revolutionary change at Deiter Bros. is a new way customers can pay for their fuel…after they use it.

“Heating oil customers have traditionally paid the same way we all pay for gasoline in our cars. You fill the tank, you pay. I wanted to offer customers a way to pay for fuel similar to how we all pay our electric or water bills,” Deiter said.

In mid-2012, Deiter Bros. introduced Paygo, a deferred payment plan which allows customers to get a delivery of heating oil or propane, but only pay for it 30 days after they actually use the fuel.

“With Paygo, you may get a fuel delivery in April but not pay anything until October or November,” Deiter said. “Customers get to hold onto their money longer.”

There is no charge to join Deiter’s Paygo plan, no upcharge on fuel prices and customers can switch out of the Paygo program at any time.

“Consumers were quick to realize the benefits of Paygo and we filled last year’s quota of 300 customers very quickly. “This year we are accepting another 300 new Paygo customers starting June 1 and there is a waiting line.”

So what’s next on Deiter Bros. forward-focused agenda?

For one, the company is installing high-tech tank monitors on customers’ fuel oil and propane tanks.

“They read how much fuel is in each customer’s tank and transmit the data wirelessly to our central operations. We can cluster our deliveries for optimum efficiency and customers will never have to check their tanks or worry about running out of fuel on a cold night or when they’re away from their homes or businesses.”

As in all industries, new technologies are changing the fuel business and Deiter Bros. has been quick to embrace advances to maintain a competitive edge in operational efficiencies and customer preference. Jim Deiter cited the company’s recent upgrades in customer account management via mobile devices.

“Our customers can check prices, order deliveries or products, schedule maintenance services, pay bills and manage any aspect of their indoor comfort relationship with Deiter Bros. from anywhere, 24/7,” Deiter said. “That is the on-the-go convenience that more consumers want and demand will only grow as lives get even busier, so we are committed to staying at the vanguard of communications just as we are in the energy technologies. Our family has been in business since 1929 because we have built on the past, but never lived in it.”