How Much Heating Oil Will I Use This Winter?

One question we get a lot, especially from people who are new to using oil heat, is “how much heating oil will I use this winter?”

Fuel Use Factors To Consider

The truth is, that’s not an easy question to answer. So many factors contribute to how much fuel you’ll use, including:

• The weather
• How air leak-proof your home is
• How well your heating equipment has been maintained
• How leak-free your ductwork is (if you have a furnace)
• How warm you like your home
• How efficient your furnace or boiler is

However, if you want a rough idea about how much heating oil you’re likely to use during a full heating season, here’s a rule of thumb: for a 2,500 square-foot home, you’ll typically burn between five and eight gallons of heating oil per day. Since a common 275-gallon tank typically holds about 240 gallons of fuel (the rest of the space inside your tank is needed for debris), a full tank should last you about five to six weeks.

How To Avoid Running Out Of Fuel

Just remember that this figure is an estimate – every home is different and uses different amounts of heating oil every day during the cold months. If you want to avoid a fuel run-out, here are three of the best ways to do it:

1. Watch your oil tank gauge – If you’re a Will Call customer, it’s important to keep an eye on your oil gauge throughout the winter – you may be using fuel more quickly than you think.
2. Use automatic delivery – Don’t want to waste time watching your oil gauge? We’ll manage your fuel deliveries for you – for FREE – with automatic heating oil delivery. Contact us today to make the switch.
3. Plan ahead – If you choose will call service, don’t wait until the last minute to buy fuel, because we may not be able to get it to you quickly enough to avoid a no-heat emergency! Please place your order when your tank is no less than one-quarter full.

Stay warm and safe this winter with reliable home heating oil deliveries in Connecticut from the pros at Hocon. Contact us today to become a Hocon customer, or to place an order for fuel on your existing account!