What Happens If You Run Out of Heating Oil?

Here’s What to Expect

Running out of heating oil can be a significant inconvenience and potentially harmful, especially during the coldest months.

Hopefully this never happens to you, but if it does, here’s what to expect when your heating oil supply runs out and what you can do about it:

1. No Heat or Hot Water: The most immediate and noticeable impact of running out of heating oil is the loss of heat and hot water in your home. This can be particularly problematic during the colder months. Further adding to the nightmare, on a particularly cold day you run the risk of having your pipes freeze or burst—a potentially very expensive problem.
2. Potential Damage to Your Heating System: When your oil tank runs empty, the remaining oil can form a sludge-like substance at the bottom of the tank. If your system continues to run without oil, this sludge can be drawn into the furnace or boiler, potentially causing damage.
3. Air in the Fuel Lines: Running out of oil can cause air to get into the fuel lines. If this happens, you’ll need to bleed the fuel lines to remove the air before your system can operate properly again. This is best done by a professional.
4. Inconvenience and Potential Additional Costs: Running out of heating oil can be inconvenient, requiring you to arrange for an emergency oil delivery. Additionally, some companies charge extra for these emergency deliveries.

What to Do If You Run Out of Heating Oil

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve run out of heating oil, here are some steps you can take:

1. Call for an Emergency Oil Delivery: Contact your heating oil supplier and arrange for an emergency delivery. Economy Oil also makes getting heating oil quickly as easy as possible for our customers because we offer same-day and next-day deliveries.
2. Bleed Your Fuel Line: If air has gotten into your fuel line, you’ll need to bleed it. This process involves opening a valve on your heating system to allow the air to escape. It’s best to have a professional do this, as it can be a complex task.
3. Monitor Your Oil Levels Regularly: To avoid any future run-outs, regularly check your oil tank’s gauge to keep track of your oil levels. This can help you anticipate when you’ll need a refill and avoid running out of oil.

The Basics of Running Out of Heating Oil

Running out of heating oil can cause several problems, from a lack of heat and hot water to potential damage to your heating system and even frozen or burst pipes. However, by monitoring your oil levels regularly and taking advantage of the same-day and next-day delivery options Economy Oil offers our customers, you can avoid running out of heating oil altogether.

Heating Oil from Economy Oil

At Economy Oil, we know that quick and reliable heating oil delivery gives our customers peace of mind during the coldest months of the year. With more than 30 years of experience serving homes and businesses across the Hudson Valley, our team delivers quality heating oil at affordable prices while maintaining a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and service integrity.

We provide some of the best fuel pricing around, and we offer flexible delivery options including same-day or next-day service when demand allows. Our customer portal and mobile access make ordering and managing your account simple and convenient, and you’ll never encounter hidden fees, service charges, or unwanted contracts.

Whether you’re filling up for the season or topping off to stay comfortable, our knowledgeable and dependable professionals are here to ensure you get the heating oil you need, when you need it, with friendly service you can trust.

Contact Economy Oil today to secure dependable, competitively priced heating oil for your home or business.