Winter in the Hudson Valley can be harsh. Colder days mean your heating system needs to work harder to keep you and your family comfortable. It also means your heating oil consumption can increase sharply when there’s a cold snap. Because of how important it is to avoid having an empty oil tank, it’s also important that you know how to read your oil fuel gauge.
If you run out of oil on a cold day, it’s more than an inconvenience. A house with no heat can be dangerous depending on the temperatures. You don’t want to get caught waiting for more oil to be delivered to have a warm home and hot water. In addition, letting your tank run down to empty can also cause debris to clog your oil filters. That can reduce the efficiency of your heating system and even cause it to fail. Finally, water can collect in an empty tank and cause it to rust. A rusty oil tank can cause your heating system to fail.
Now that you know how important it is to make sure you keep enough oil in your tank at all times, let’s review how to read your oil tank’s gauge.
Step 1: Look for a clear glass or plastic cylinder near the top of the tank. It will look a lot like your car’s fuel gauge with the following symbols: F, ¾, ½, and ¼. There should be a red marker or float indicating the tank’s fuel level. If it’s not visible, you tank is either empty or practically empty.
Step 2: Make sure the gauge is working as it should be. Remove the outer case and gently press down on the float. It should bob back up to where it was. If it doesn’t, the gauge is malfunctioning, and you should call for service.
Step 3: When your gauge gets close to ¼, it’s time to order more fuel. Keep in mind that the colder it gets and the larger your home is, the faster your heating system will go through oil. Make sure you check your gauge regularly (and more frequently as the temperatures drop).
When it’s time to order more oil, call on Economy Oil. We offer quality heating oil delivery at an unbeatable price. As our customer, you can choose same-day or next-day delivery. There are no hidden fees, service fees, or contracts. And if you manage to find a better price elsewhere, we’ll beat it.
When you choose Economy Oil as your heating oil provider, you can rest assured that you’re getting a quality product for a great price. Our service area includes Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Click here to see if we’re in your neighborhood.
Economy Oil gives our customers the power to save. Contact us today for quality heating oil at the best price in the Hudson Valley.
Economy Oil provides discount fuel oil to customers who want the power to save in Dutchess, Columbia, Orange, Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and Ulster counties.
Figure out how much fuel you’ll need to order with this easy oil delivery calculator.
Economy Oil works with local Home Energy Assistance Programs (HEAP) to help you afford fuel.