Monitoring the heating oil level in your tank avoids depletions that leave you and your family in the cold. Rather than resorting to emergency oil deliveries, you should check the tank level about every two weeks during the height of winter. Here’s how to read the gauge and how to manually inspect the oil level if the gauge breaks.

A Guide to Heating Oil Level Inspections

The Gauge Method

Identify the clear, cylindrical gauge, which is usually on top of the oil tank. The device features a metal float on the interior as well as exterior markings reading F, ¾, ½, and ¼, from top to bottom. The ‘F’ stands for full, with the remaining numbers indicating a tank that is three quarters, half, or a quarter full.

Look where the float is in relation to the markings. For example, if it’s next to the ½ mark, half of the heating oil remains.

Since gauges can malfunction, test yours by unscrewing its plastic covering and moving the float down to the bottom of the device. You can use a butter knife or a similar narrow implement to push the float. If the float rises after you release it, the gauge is functional. If it doesn’t move or becomes stuck in the device, it needs to be repaired or replaced.

The Manual Method

If the gauge is broken, remove the fill pipe cap and insert a varnished, straight, six-foot stick into the tank. If the tank is buried, the fill valve will be above ground. Varnished sticks work best because oil doesn’t spread and affect the resulting measurement.

Remove the stick and place it against your tank end to determine how much oil is left. If the tank is buried, compare how many inches of oil appear on the stick to the tank’s size. Repeat the process and record your findings for maintenance purposes. 

Schedule heating oil delivery with Monroe Oil Company to keep your tank full and your home comfortable. The oil company has served Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne counties in New York since 1910, providing same-day oil and fuel deliveries at affordable prices. Call (585) 244-4080 today to request a delivery or review their services online.