Slick Blog

Phone, Home: How One Home Energy Technology Company is Adapting to the New Contactless World

Written by Chris Buchanan | 10/5/20 1:49 PM

MARBLEHEAD, Mass., Sept. 30, 2020: Today Slick Energy unveiled Tank Tracker, a remote and contactless data collection application for the home energy industry. With winter bearing down, and a pandemic that has made business-as-usual a thing of the past, Slick Energy has tapped into its innovative roots and creatively solved a problem for New England heating oil companies and customers alike. 

The show must go on.

Health and safety are top-of-mind for all of us, including the dedicated energy frontline workers who reliably keep millions of homes warm during the cold weather months. Heating oil tank inspections are an integral part of the oil delivery life cycle, and often must be completed annually—even during Covid-19. There is simply no safe way to enter and exit customers’ homes to perform these state-and insurance-company mandated inspections. Tank Tracker has solved this problem.

Slick Energy Co-founder Chris Buchanan explains Tank Tracker’s origin: “Slick has always been about innovation and using technology to solve everyday problems. Asking a customer to be home between a certain time frame and then telling them a stranger will enter their house just doesn't work any more. People definitely are VERY hesitant opening their “bubble” up to strangers. Customers and energy companies deserve a much safer and easier solution and we're thrilled that Tank Tracker can be a pioneer in the new world we live in. We’re already moving into other service areas and have had significant interest from non-oil companies."

The not-so-social network.

With Tank Tracker, Slick Energy’s new, proprietary application, customers upload equipment photos as they are guided through an automated, intuitive inspection process. The Tank Tracker interface also works for quoting new heating and cooling systems, as well as diagnosing common repairs, all without a technician setting foot in your home. It is this versatility that makes the application attractive to many in the energy space. 

Big data for small companies.

Tank Tracker’s contact-free data collection is key to developing digital relationships between customers and delivery companies. The information collected can be used to optimize customer service, marketing, and logistics efforts; at the same time, this data will really help these service companies continue to grow and maintain their customer base. For small-to-midsize outfits, this insight into customer behavior can streamline operations and increase profitability. 

Cost management in uncertain times.

Tank Tracker enables delivery companies to build resilience into their operations. Monthly subscription plans are affordable and flexible, offering a range of inspections and access for multiple technicians. Tank Tracker allows proprietors to generate revenue safely, thereby ensuring the continued viability of these stalwart New England businesses. 

Time is money.

With Tank Tracker, inspections are done remotely, so delivery partners can focus on route optimization and efficiencies. Strategic route planning and increased responsiveness result in cost savings. Inspection documentation is embedded in the app, so productivity increases, as there is no longer any “paperwork” associated with inspections. 

Co-Founder PJ Solomon added: "We believe it's time for us, as an industry, to listen to what our customers and employees are asking for. We hope that Tank Tracker can help catalyze a new level of accountability, safety and transparency for all energy companies."

ABOUT SLICK ENERGY: 

Since 20016, Slick Energy has been a leading provider in the home energy space, Slick has recently diversified and built upon its growing consumer brand with the launch of its first SaaS tool, Tank Tracker.  We are not only deeply committed to providing the best service and price, we are committed to improving the communities where we operate and the lives of the people who call them home. Currently, a portion of every single gallon of heating oil purchased through Slick goes directly into The Slick Degrees Foundation, which focuses on the following impact areas: Kids & Education, Food & Housing Insecurity, and Veterans/Military Families. 

 

CONTACT: Chris Buchanan / chris@slickenergy.com / 617-804-1746

www.SlickEnergy.com

www.SlickTanks.com

www.SlickEnergyPro.com