What Size Oil Tank Do I Need For My Home?

Heating oil tanks are built to last – but not to last forever.

If your heating oil tank is starting to show its age – or if you know that your tank is at least 20 years old – the time could be coming to replace it with a virtually leak-proof, modern, double-walled heating oil tank from Hocon.

The question is, what size oil tank will you need?

Our heating experts can help you to right-size your oil storage tank, but if you want to get a head start on your oil tank shopping, here are a few points to ponder.

Heating oil tank size considerations

• Before you shop for your heating oil tank, it’s helpful to know the size of your current tank. Two specifications matter:
  • The capacity of the tank (measured in gallons); and
  • The dimensions of your tank (height, width and depth).

  If you have a newer tank, the capacity is probably listed on its nameplate; if your tank that doesn’t list its capacity, you will have to estimate based on dimensions.

• A typical home heating oil tank size is 275 gallons and comes in either a vertical (275V) or horizontal (275H) orientation. Heating oil tanks may also come in different sizes depending on whether they’ll be installed above or below ground. Some other common aboveground tanks include 288, 340, 420, 500, 550, 675, and 1000 gallons (underground tanks can be much larger).
• An industry rule-of-thumb is that one or two-bedroom homes most often need a 275-gallon heating oil tank; three or four bedroom homes need a 300 to 500-gallon tank. This is a rule of thumb only; other factors will come into play (see below).
• Other sizing factors to consider include:
  • Physical space: Measure your space before you shop for your tank.
  • Family planning: As your family grows, so does your need for heat.
  • Lifestyle references: Is your family eco-conscious? Do you spend long stretches away from home? Do you have elderly people under your roof that prefer a warmer house? All of these factors affect the amount of heating oil you need – and how big a tank your tank should be.

Once you’ve thought about these sizing factors, you’ll have a better idea where to begin your search for a heating oil tank upgrade for your Connecticut home.

When it’s time to upgrade your heating oil tank, trust the pros at Hocon. We’ll even take care of removing your old tank in accordance with all environmental laws and codes.

Contact Hocon today to learn more and get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a heating tank upgrade for your Connecticut home!