Burke Energy
reviews and complaints

Don't buy HVAC (Mini-Split) from Burke Energy. 5 years ago, we hired Burke to check if we could add HVAC to our oil heat only house. They said we should get 4 Fujitsu heat pump units with 7 inside units. They worked fine for the first 2 years, but then each year, one of the units wouldn't cool and it turned out to have low refrigerant. This has happened every year to 3 out of the 4 heat pumps, and now some of them have failed twice. The installation cost was $27,000. Every time there's a problem, a 'general' technician comes out and finds low refrigerant, but can't figure out why until a Fujitsu expert technician comes a few days or weeks later. He replaces a refrigerant coupling connector on each unit, saying it's a common failure component based on his experience. Fujitsu Tech support denies this, and we've checked with many other Fujitsu installers on different HVAC forums who all said they haven't seen this except with bad installations.

On Monday, September 21st, Burke Energy delivered oil to my house. I have a contract with them for the ceiling price of $3.319 per gallon, which can vary based on the market price. However, they charged me $2.979 per gallon, even though the market value on that day was around $1.65. I contacted them about the high bill, but they said they couldn't do anything and that was the price. A few days later, Josh called me and asked me to renew my contract for another year, offering a small discount and a $75 credit. I didn't accept because I didn't want them to take advantage of me further. I found out that Burke delivers oil through another website where any company can deliver for their own price. On the day of my delivery, oil was priced around $1.65 on that website. I informed Josh about this, but he denied it. However, I know for a fact that a family member used that website last year and had oil delivered by them for the price listed on the website. So, it seems that if you have a contract, you have to pay double, while those who buy without one pay the regular price. What's the point of having a contract if they can charge whatever they want? Unfortunately, it's not just their outrageously high prices that make them a poorly rated company, but also their questionable business practices.

Their main job is to deliver oil to their customers. They've let us run out of oil three times in the past two years, and it might happen a fourth time, maybe tomorrow. Maybe it'll happen every year. I've been a customer of Burke Energy (previously Burke Heat) since around 1980 (over 40 years), and in recent years, I've noticed a decline in the quality of their services. After we ran out of oil for the third time (and threatened to switch), they said they would let us know when they would deliver (which doesn't cost them anything and doesn't change anything) and would "adjust" our delivery calculations. Last week, we received a notification that our tank would need to be refilled and that a delivery was scheduled "soon." This was right before a series of blizzards were predicted in Westchester NY, and our driveway looks like an Olympic Bobsled run. I called on Friday and they promised delivery on Saturday. It didn't happen. I called on Saturday and they said Monday. I called on Monday to confirm and they said Monday or maybe Tuesday. No delivery on either day. I know from experience (times three) that our tank is empty when the gauge hits 1/8, and it's way below 1/4. I don't know what time they deliver, but it's 5 PM on Wednesday. I bought 2.5 gallons of diesel fuel, which I'll add to the tank since I don't know how to clear the bubbles from the feed line when the tank runs dry. There's a 10-inch blizzard tomorrow! They put a lot of effort into making their phone representatives sound friendly and concerned, but hey, guys, they don't reliably deliver oil! I guess *** will love me as an oil customer until I can switch to a home heating oil company that's reliable.

Burke over delivered my oil tank and expects me to pay for their mistake! This is fraud. They should of double checked before bringing it to my place. Now I'm stuck with an extra tank that I didn't ask for and they want me to foot the bill. It's not right, plain and simple. I called them up to complain, but they just brushed me off like it was no big deal. I'm not happy with their customer service at all. I've been a loyal customer for years, but this incident has really made me reconsider. I shouldn't have to pay for their error. It's their responsibility to fix it, not mine. I'm really disappointed in Burke Energy and I won't be recommending them to anyone anymore.

I got charged $3.529/gallon for heating oil. I complained about it and they reduced it to 2.98, which is still 40 cents higher than the New York average on December *. So, before our first argument, I was charged over $1/gallon more than what the NY heating oil government page stated. Then, they basically forced me into a yearly contract. The guy said, "Oh, the price today (2 days later, if you filled up today) would be $2.75 with a ceiling of 2.85." In my opinion, that's basically criminal. I should have had them come and pump it out. Okay.

I gave Burke Energy $369.40 for a price protection plan that says I won't be charged more than the market value and not more than $*** per gallon. Westchesterlegislators.com shows oil prices now at $3.55 to $4.09 per gallon. Burke is charging me the highest price of $*** which is more than gas station prices with road tax. My last delivery before this new agreement was $300.00 cheaper for the same amount of oil. If I stick to this new 2-year agreement, I won't be able to pay my mortgage and won't have a home to heat.

On 6/17/22, Wilco/Burke Energy delivered *** gallons of oil without permission. They kept calling even though I kept telling them "we don't need any oil" and "call me when we do". So, I called the office as soon as I saw the *** for $2,910.39 on my account #***. I spoke to *** on Thur 6/30/22, at ext. #***. He said he saw all the notes on the computer and promised to talk to his boss about the mistake and get back to me before the weekend. But it's already July 7th and I haven't heard from ***. This company is taking advantage of an 82-year-old disabled person. I told *** that they could either come back and take out the 475 gallons or only charge me $4.60/gal.

This is a copy of a letter I am sending today to this company. Burke Energy March , *** To Whom it may concern: I have been receiving bills from you for service that I did not need and told you at the time. Our home has been under construction undergoing a complete renovation. Our heating system was completely removed and replaced. Since September or 2019 we have not resided in our home and had no need of your services. When I was called about service, I said I had no need. STOP BILLING US. We will not pay you for nothing. You were a great company to deal with over the years, but we will not be using you again. We never agreed to anything. I told you this over the phone and I am now putting this in writing. I never signed any contract, nor agreed to one as I had no need for your services.

Burke Energy ain't stickin' to their agreement with us customers. They're sneaky and tryna tie us down financially. Back in 2018, I signed up with Burke to get my oil. But man, their service was no good. The agreement says it gets renewed every 12 months with an invoice. And if we don't pay that invoice in full within 30 days, well, the agreement's done and we gotta pay for all the services they provided. So, in 2019, I didn't pay my invoice on time, which means the agreement expired. They also said they'd let me know 30 days before any changes to the agreement, but they never did. And I wasn't even on a payment plan, mind you. I did make some payments to cover the services I got before (actually paid 'em too much). But then, nine months later, they go ahead and deliver oil without me askin' or renewin' the agreement. And you know what? They started ignorin' my calls and eventually sent a big ol' bill to collections. Can you believe it?

I opend an oil delivery account with Burke becuz I was buying a house in Mt Kisco. Unfortunatly, we had to cancel the closing cuz the sellers had a burst water pipe and it caused considerable damage to the house. I called Burke on Feb *** to cancel the appointment/contract cuz I was not buying the house anymore. They acknowledged and confirmed the cancellation. Then on Feb ***, they delivered oil to the house (I got an oil delivery notice by email). I called Burke right away, and after explaining the situation, I was able to speak with Andre (one of the managers in customer service). Andre, after reading the customer service call logs, confirmed I did cancel the appointment/contract by phone on Feb ***. He said he was going to fix the issue and he was also going to see why the internal cancellation protocol was not followed to avoid this problem in the first place. I have called Burke’s customer service several times since then and even though they always say Andre is in a meeting and he will call me right away, I haven’t been able to get Andre or someone else to fix this issue or at least return my call.

On Jan. 27th, I ordered #2 Heating Oil from Burke Energy. They said it would be delivered in 1 to 2 days. At that time, I had 1/4 of a tank of oil left. But after two days, still no delivery. I called and they said it would take three to five days. They already charged my credit card $520. On the third and fourth day, I called again and told them I had run out of oil and needed it urgently. Finally, on Feb. 2nd at 1 pm, they delivered the oil. By then, my tank had been empty overnight, and I had to call a furnace guy to restart it. I only chose COD Oil (Burke) because they promised 1 to 2 days delivery. It's not right to take someone's money, promise quick delivery, and then make them wait five days for the heating oil. My house was freezing, and I had no heat for over a day. It was 6 degrees outside, not even considering the wind chill. I'm a senior and I'm really upset about this. If there's anything you can do, please help me. I paid $85 to the furnace guy to get it running again. Any assistance or reimbursement would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I been a customer of Burke Energy for 4 years and always paid my bill in full and on time. In 2019, I asked Burke Energy to call before they come so I can make arrangements for my dogs. They never called during the contract and missed deliveries. In September , they didn't make arrangements to access my property. I called them on 9//2020 to say I won't renew my contract ending on 10//2020. I spoke to Diane and she said I had no balance as of 9//2020. No more deliveries were made and I didn't break my contract. I talked to Joshua, the customer service supervisor. I didn't need another delivery before my contract ended. My first delivery from Robison oil was on 11/*/2020 and I have the receipt to prove I didn't get oil from Burke Energy after my contract ended on 10//2020. The contract with Burke Energy ended on 10//2020.

Burke Energy took over *** Energy, where I'd been a customer for 27 years. I always paid on time, had a service agreement, and usually opted for a Cap Contract. In late August, I called BURKE ENERGY and agreed to a contract over the phone. When it arrived in the mail, I called them back to say I didn't want it. They took a while to respond and then informed me that breaking the contract would cost me $399. I explained that they hadn't provided any oil delivery since June, nor had they cleaned the boiler (which *** included in their service). I also mentioned that their price cap, along with their "insurance buffer," was unreasonable. Being a loyal customer, I asked if they could waive the requirement. The customer service rep said he couldn't do that and would pass on the request to "management" for review. After a few more weeks, they called back and said that management considered the verbal agreement a valid and binding contract. If I didn't stick with them, I'd have to pay $399 to cancel. I already had a $262 credit in my account from the budget plan, which they wouldn't refund! It's clear that they have no problem with unfair business practices. They only spent a stamp to mail the contract and made $399 without doing anything.

I wanna make a complaint 'bout Burke Energy's billin' department. I been a Burke customer for 18 years, always on the budget plan. But last year (Oct 2021), Burke automatically took money from my checkin' account 'fore I even called 'em to sign up for a new heatin' season. They just assumed I'd stay on and took money without my say-so. I had to stop auto-pay to keep 'em from takin' money without askin'. This year, they sent me bills in July, August, and September sayin' my budget plan was "paid ahead" and no payment was due. One of the invoices said I owed $24.51, so I paid it, thinkin' it was my final bill. But in October, they hit me with a $743 bill! When I called on 10/19, I talked to a young woman named *** who was impatient and bored with my concerns. She put me on hold and never came back. I wrote to Burke sayin' I was endin' my relationship with 'em and goin' with a competitor. That night, a customer service manager called to apologize for ***'s behavior and explain there was a billin' error. Turns out, I shoulda been payin' my budget plan and I wasn't paid ahead. So I paid my $150 budget payment and gonna pay it for the three payments they said I didn't need to make. Then I'll pay whatever's left. BUT, today Burke sent me another bill with a new charge of $252.00! Seems like they just started billin' me for another year of service I didn't sign up for. I already called and wasted too much time on the phone with 'em. So, I'm filin' a complaint here and with the ***. Burke is cheatin' their customers.

I been usin' Burke to deliver my oil for the past 14 years since I bought my crib. We always been able to work things out, whether it was maintenance, repair costs, contract prices, deliverin' without tellin' me, and all that. But this time, they went too far. There been years when I didn't have a fixed price and paid whatever the oil cost, even when it was high. Other years, I had a fixed price and the market was lower, but I still paid what I owed. But this year, I didn't set a fixed price in Oct when it was goin' up. I knew the prices were gonna rise, and I expected the usual level of service. But in mid-March 2022, when I wasn't even usin' oil, they decided to deliver 873 gallons without even contactin' me like I asked. That's unheard of. My usual deliveries are ***. They always been *** to not fill the *** gallon tank 'cause it's just me, two kids, and one adult. Plus, I got an old underground tank that I'm scared might leak one day, so I don't wanna have *** gallons of oil sittin' there. If it leaks, I'd rather have less than more. This ain't right. When I go to the store, I know how much I can afford to spend. I was willin' to pay $2500, which is what I expected for 350 gallons, especially goin' into the off-season. There was no reason at all to deliver that much oil, 'cept to try and squeeze more money outta me. It's disgustin'. They claim to be all about service and knowin' how to get in touch when they want money, but they couldn't be bothered to ask if I needed more oil or if I should wait for the price to come down. That would've been customer service, professional, and ethical. I've tried to resolve this several times by phone and email, but nobody bothers to get back to ya.

I got ripped off by Burke Heat, man. I bought my crib in April , and the previous owner had Burke, so I figured I'd stick with them. I signed up for a service contract and put off the yearly maintenance until October when it was time to crank up the heat. In the meantime, I got and paid for two oil deliveries. When it was time for the maintenance, the technician only spent like 30 minutes at my place and barely touched the boiler. We specifically asked them to check out our old oil tank in the basement to make sure it would last the season before we got a big 200-gallon delivery. The technician said the tank was cool, so we ordered the delivery and got it two days later. But that night, the tank started leaking like crazy. We had to call for emergency service the next morning. Burke came out and put a temporary tank in my driveway and ran a new line into the basement. I reached out to them to sort out the mess they caused with that day's service. They told me they'd take off the charge for that day, but they only removed the $179 service fee, not the remaining $625 for the temporary tank. I went back and forth with them for over two months, all while they delivered more oil to fill up the temp tank. I was cool with paying for the delivery, but I needed an answer about the charge for the temporary tank since it was an emergency caused by the technician's negligence and incompetence during my maintenance. Now, today, they still haven't taken off the charge, and they added late fees on top of it. I just shelled out almost $1200 to Burke for the oil delivery and the temporary tank charge just to get them out of my life. I'm beyond disappointed, man.