According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the northeastern U.S. accounted for 85% of all residential heating oil sales in the country in 2017. Most heating oil is used for warming the home, and it’s also sometimes used for water heaters. Before the temperatures fall, you should be sure to have ample heating oil in your tank. Knowing more about the shelf life of heating oil and its usage in the home can help you make sound decisions about your own supply.

How Long Does Heating Oil Last?

A typical residential tank has a capacity of around 275 gallons. While that might sound like a huge amount of oil to store at your home, it actually can deplete faster than you might think in the winter months. With proper storage, quality oil that has been combined with additives can last for around 18-24 months before it starts to deteriorate. The condition and cleanliness of your tank will affect the quality of your heating oil, so be sure to have it regularly checked for any water leaks and cleaned for sullying debris. If your tank is below half-full or is due for a cleaning, you will want to take care of it before it gets too late. 

There are many deciding factors to determine accurate average usage for consumers in general, but you can approximate how much your household might need. For a quick estimate, you can look at how many gallons of heating oil filled your tank last, check how many days passed before you used up that amount, and divide the two for how many gallons used per day. For example: 200 gallons divided by 50 days equals four gallons per day.

Which Factors Should You Consider?

Though it is helpful to estimate your household heating oil usage so that you can make sure you never run out, there are no guarantees with all of the variables that contribute to fluctuations. All of the following must be considered when determining how much heating oil used in your home:

• Weather, wind, and outdoor temperature
• Size of the home and the home’s insulation quality
• Amount of time people are home daily and nightly
• Condition of your furnace and its efficiency

By estimating your household usage, you have a better chance of ensuring you have the right amount of heating oil during the coldest parts of winter.

 

 

When you want worry-free heating oil service for your home, you can count on Andersen Oil Company. Their team of experienced experts can set you up with an automatic delivery plan. They also offer 24-hour emergency service. Located in Ledyard, CT, and serving southeastern Connecticut and the surrounding areas, they have a variety of affordable options to suit your home heating oil needs. Call (860) 464-7628 or visit their website to learn more.