Learn How Valiant Energy Solutions improved operational efficiency with Service Insight’s heating oil and propane tank level monitors
Situation
Valiant Energy Solutions is a fourth-generation heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) provider that serves residential and commercial customers in Waterbury, Connecticut. The company prides itself on providing superior-quality services using the latest technology leveraged by highly trained professionals.
In addition to HVAC services, the company also supplies homes with heating oil and propane. To eliminate tank runouts and avoid the inefficiencies from heating degree day predictions, Valiant Energy Solutions utilizes remote tank monitoring.
“Over the years, we’ve used many different monitoring companies,” said operations manager Mark Collodel, who noted that there were two problems with this. First, important customer information was located in different systems. Second, none of the monitoring company’s platforms integrated with the back office software that Valiant Energy Solutions used. These problems meant that tank readings needed to be manually transcribed from one system to another, which cost time and increased the possibility of errors.
“What we wanted to do was standardize on a single tank monitoring platform that effectively integrates with our existing back-office systems,” said Mark.
During the process of searching for a new monitoring vendor that fit his needs, Mark spoke with other fuel marketers that used Service Insight. After hearing rave reviews, Mark decided to give Service Insight a try.
“Service Insight makes very durable, technologically advanced monitors that we are proud to use.”
Solution
Service Insight specializes in providing Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence solutions that enable businesses to detect and predict customer demand for home heating oil and propane. The company’s next-generation tank monitors are also easy to install as they feature a digital display that
provides clear information to the technician.
Designed to provide up-to-date fuel-level data, Service Insight’s monitors make it easy to keep track of customers’ consumption and avoid running out of fuel. Also, the monitors allow both homeowners and Valiant Energy Solutions to keep track of fuel levels from anywhere, at any time, using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
“Service Insight’s platform integrates well with our back-office systems,” said Mark. “Early each morning, the Service Insight platform sends our ticketing system a level reading for each of the monitored tanks we have out in the field. With that information, the system automatically generates delivery tickets for our
dispatchers when necessary to ensure optimal service.”
Additionally, Valiant Energy Solutions takes advantage of Service Insight’s heating and cooling degree day predictions for its non-monitored tanks. Instead of relying on temperature measurements from distant airport weather stations, Service Insight’s degree day models utilize information from its propane tank monitors, which have ultra sensitive temperature sensors embedded within them. That data, combined with Service Insight’s proprietary artificial intelligence model, allows for the more accurate prediction of levels in unmonitored tanks in the area.
“We like Service Insight’s monitors so much that our goal over the next several years is to ensure that most every household in our area has one,” said Mark.
Results
Fast and Easy Installation
“Installation is very easy,” said Mark. “All of our drivers can install the monitor with minimum effort. Using the camera feature on their smart phone, they scan the QR code on the device, and the installation is complete and integrated with our back-office system in less than two minutes.”
Accurate Degree Day Monitoring
Because temperature sensors are embedded within thousands of Service Insight’s widely distributed monitors, Valiant Energy Solutions is able to achieve highly accurate degree day monitoring to inform a more efficient delivery schedule.
Improved Operational Efficiency
“Our company is built around efficiency. Whenever we can save time and money while utilizing fewer drivers, we will try,” said Mark. “Service Insight’s monitors save us at least three deliveries a year, and we have at least one less truck out on the road.”