If you rely on heating oil to keep your home warm during the colder months, you might be wondering how often you should order it to ensure a steady supply. Running out of heating oil can leave you in an uncomfortable and even dangerous situation, especially in freezing temperatures. However, ordering too frequently can lead to unnecessary expenses. To strike the right balance, there are some key factors to consider when determining how often you should order heating oil.
The size of your oil tank plays a significant role in how often you need to order a refill. Most residential oil tanks have a capacity of 275 gallons, though larger ones can hold up to 1,000 gallons. A larger tank will naturally require less frequent refills compared to a smaller one.
A good rule of thumb is to order more heating oil when your tank reaches about 25–30% capacity. This ensures you have a buffer in case of delays or increased usage due to colder-than-expected weather.
Your household’s heating oil consumption depends on several factors, including:
On average, a home in a climate like the Hudson Valley uses about 5–10 gallons of heating oil per day in the winter. If your tank holds 275 gallons, this means you could go through a full tank in approximately 4–6 weeks.
Your heating oil needs will fluctuate throughout the year. In the peak of winter, you may need a refill every 4–6 weeks, whereas in milder months, your consumption may drop significantly. If you use heating oil for hot water as well, you’ll still need some supply even in summer, though at a much lower rate.
Set reminders to check your tank level regularly, especially during the colder months. Call Economy Oil for a delivery when you have roughly 1/3 of a tank. It’s easy to do on our website.
Heating oil prices tend to be lower in the warmer months and rise during peak winter demand. If possible, consider ordering oil in late summer or early fall to take advantage of lower rates. Economy Oil offers both a prepay and a bulk purchase program that can help you save on your heating oil costs.
How often you should order heating oil depends on your home’s needs, your tank size, and the weather. By monitoring your usage, setting up a regular schedule, and planning ahead, you can ensure that you always have enough heating oil to stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter.
Economy Oil offers reliable heating oil delivery at a great price in the Hudson Valley. We give you the power to save. We simply won’t be beat. If you find a better price from one of our local competitors, just let us know and we’ll beat it. We also make things easier for our customers by offering same-day and next-day deliveries.
Furthermore, at Economy Oil there are no hidden fees, service fees, or contracts. In short, there are no hassles—just the best price in the region.
Contact Economy Oil today to get 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.