How Much Heating Oil Will I Use During Winter?

Temperatures can drop to extremely low digits during the winter. Luckily, oil heating systems can be a great way to keep your household at a comfortable temperature. All that homeowners will need to do is keep enough fuel oil inside of their tanks to accomplish this. Fuel consumption will be different for every home size and will vary depending on the outside temperatures and age of the furnace that is in use. Personal heating preferences and the amount of insulation inside of the home will make a difference as well. So, how can a homeowner determine the amount of home heating oil they will need during winter?

How Much Oil Will You Need For Heating Your Home This Winter

You can learn ways to estimate your heating oil use so that you can be ready for the winter months. In this article, we discuss how you can determine your oil consumption. Also, we can help you learn ways to lower your oil use so that you save as much money as possible this season.

Figure Out Your Oil Tank Capacity

It is essential to know the amount of oil that your oil tank can hold. The smallest options can usually store around 100 gallons. The average home with an above-ground tank has around a 275-gallon capacity. There are much larger options available. It is important to note that the stated capacity is not always equal to the amount of fuel that the container can hold. Although a tank may have a 275-gallon rating, it will need room for air and debris and may only be able to hold 225 gallons of oil. Your oil delivery receipt will be able to give you direct information.

Estimate Your Home Heating Oil Needs

To estimate your oil consumption, you should try multiplying your consumption rate with your usage period. The average amount of fuel being burned an hour can be from .8 to 1.7 gallons. You can look on the nozzle or burner to see what your particular heating system burns an hour. You want to think about how many hours your furnace will be in use for. Keep in mind that older heating systems will use more oil due to being less energy-efficient.

If you have been in the same home for years, you can look at your history. Find old heating bills to see how much oil you use each year. If you average the bills, you will see what you can expect to spend this year. You can do more thorough math to see what you can expect for daily, weekly, and even monthly usage. If temperatures are going to be lower than usual, you can expect to spend more oil than usual. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather report to see what your temperatures are going to look like this winter.

If you are just moving into a new place, you can talk to your neighbors with a similar house size and system to see how much they spend each year on heating. You may also want to call a heating oil company and ask for an estimate. If the weather is extremely cold outside, you may use 3 to 6 gallons of oil a day.

How Can You Lower Your Fuel Oil Consumption This Winter

Layer Your Clothing

Instead of rushing to turn on the heat, you can try other ways to lower your bills. You want to build up a tolerance to the cold if you can. Before you turn on your furnace, go ahead, and layer your clothing to stay as warm as possible.

Window Curtains

You can open your curtains so that the sun can shine inside of your home. This can often warm your space during the day. You might learn that you do not have to turn on your heating system until the late afternoon. Be sure to close your curtains when the sun sets to keep your home as comfortable as possible.

Choose A Thermostat That You Can Program

When you are not home, be sure that your heating system is set to the lowest temperature possible. If you have a regular schedule, a programmable thermostat can be a wonderful investment. You want your furnace to work less so that you can save your oil.

HVAC Tune-Ups

If you have your HVAC unit looked at by professionals regularly, you can be sure that your system operates as efficiently as possible. HVAC technicians can keep your system clean, make necessary repairs, and do other things to keep your system working its best. This low-cost service can be a smart investment.

Sealing Your Home And Adding Insulation

You can seal cracks around your windows and doors. You can also add insulation to your walls and roof to help keep your home as energy efficient as it can be. You want to help keep warm air inside of your home so that your furnace does not have to work so hard.

Talk To A Discount Oil Supplier

If you really want to save money, talk with a discount oil company, like R.F. Ohl. Most companies that offer discounted oil specialize in oil deliveries alone. Full-Service oil delivery companies that provide automatic delivery services may charge you extra for services that you may not necessarily need. Discount oil services will only assist you when necessary. You can monitor your tank levels and call when you need more oil. If you want to save money, using a discount service is a smart choice.

When Should You Call Your Oil Supplier?

When you notice that your oil level is about thirty percent of the tank’s capacity, you should call your oil supplier. You want to make sure that you do not run out of fuel.

Call R.F. Ohl For Your Home Heating Needs

It is important to have a reputable oil company, like R.F. Ohl, to help you during the winter months. You want to have peace of mind that your home will stay comfortable and warm.

Contact R.F. Ohl when you need discount oil deliveries this winter. We offer the best home heating oil prices along with fast and reliable fuel deliveries. Furthermore, you can give us a call to ensure your furnace performs the way that you expect it to. Our knowledgeable and highly-skilled heating technicians can service your heating system to make sure that your unit performs efficiently and can keep you comfortable all season long.

Call us today to learn more. Click here or call us at (610) 377-1098 to contact us today!