FAQs About Having Heating Oil Delivered To Your Home

Heating oil is not as common as a fuel source as it once was. However, if you still have a furnace or boiler that runs on oil, then you will still need to have your oil tank filled from time to time. Here are some questions you might have if you're new to oil heating and have never had heating oil delivered before.

How do you know your tank needs filling?

Most oil tanks have a gauge. The gauge looks like the one you see on your car dashboard that tracks your fuel. When the gauge indicates that the oil level is getting low, it's time to call the oil delivery company. People often call to have their tanks filled when they have about a quarter of a tank left. If it's the dead of winter and you're worried that the oil company may not get to you for a week or more, you can call a little sooner than this.

What happens if you completely run out of heating oil?

You want to avoid this if possible because it creates quite a hassle. Most oil delivery companies will come out for "emergency service" if you have run out and are without heat, but they often charge extra for this service. They will also have to do something called "prime and start" to your system before they add more oil. In a prime and start service, they bleed your oil lines to remove any air which has accumulated while your tank was empty. This takes time and is another service you'll have to pay for.

How do you know how much oil to order?

Most people estimate based on their tank size and the gauge reading. For instance, if you have a 200-gallon tank and it's 3/4 empty, you probably need about 150 gallons of oil. If the delivery company fills your tank and does not use as much oil as you ordered, that's okay. They typically only bill you for what they actually put in your tank. It's better to over-estimate than to under-estimate so you can be sure they arrive with enough oil for you. If you only order 100 gallons but your tank has room for 150 gallons, they may only give you 100 gallons because the rest of the oil in their truck may already be spoken for.

With these questions answered, you should be better prepared to have your oil tank filled. Contact a home heating oil delivery service for more information. 

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