How To Avoid Running Out Of Heating Oil

When frigid weather arrives, you’ve probably got a lot on your mind – making sure your kids are safe, for example, or clearing your property of snow and ice. With all that activity, checking your oil storage tank’s fuel gauge and ordering heating oil are activities that just might slip through the cracks, resulting in a heating oil run-out.

That’s unfortunate, because running out of fuel is not a fun experience.

It can also be a costly experience: For one thing, heating oil prices usually rise when fuel demand is highest, so you’ll pay more to fill your tank. You’ll also have to pay a premium for an emergency service and delivery rather than a simple fill-up. A fuel run-out could even lead to complications as sludge from the bottom of your heating oil tank enters the fuel lines, clogging filters and narrowing passages throughout your heating system.

As we said, not fun.

Tips on keeping enough fuel in your tank

So how to you keep from running out of heating oil? Here are three suggestions:

• Order heating oil early in the season. Don’t wait for winter to buy heating oil – you may use it up more quickly than you think during a late fall cold snap, putting yourself at risk for a run-out. Get a jump on your fall heating oil deliveries by placing your order today.
• Be proactive. Order your fuel when your tank is no less than one-quarter full (ideally a little before then). Waiting until the last minute for a delivery –especially in cold weather – is a recipe for a no-heat emergency.
• Keep your heating equipment properly maintained. Regular, professional heating maintenance from a reputable heating contractor will help keep your furnace or boiler running at peak efficiency, which means your equipment will use less fuel. Professional service will also help spot oil leaks, performance drop-offs, and other problems before that could lead to bigger problems down the road.

Stay on top of fuel management this fall with FREE automatic heating oil delivery from Economy Oil. Contact us today to learn more, or to become an Economy Oil customer!