After a mild start to winter, Long Island homeowners who use oil heat are swamping fuel companies for deliveries due to the recent cold weather.

Workers at local oil companies like South Bay Fuel are delivering oil 10 to 12 hours a day as demand skyrockets. Despite the overtime hustle, many residents are kept waiting for a full day or more. South Bay Fuel warns against letting a tank's oil level fall below one-quarter full. They say such late notice and potential delays could lead to a very cold home.

Experts advise staying informed about fuel levels even for those with automatic delivery plans.