How Much Heating Oil Is Left in Your Tank?
What Your Tank Gauge Is Really Telling You
A tank gauge reading of ½ seems pretty straightforward, but it doesn’t mean you have a specific number of gallons left. To figure that out, you also need to know your tank size and roughly how much fuel it holds when full.
That’s useful information to have, especially if you order your own heating oil. Your gauge can help you decide when it’s time to call for a delivery, but only if you know how to read it. Here’s what those markings mean and what else you should know about keeping an eye on your fuel supply.
Your Gauge Is an Estimate
Most heating oil tank gauges are marked F, ¾, ½, and ¼, with a float inside the tank that rises and falls with the fuel level. Those markings tell you roughly how full the tank is, not the exact number of gallons remaining.
There’s another detail that can throw off the math: a tank isn’t filled completely to the top. For example, a standard 275-gallon tank typically holds about 225 gallons when filled. So if the gauge reads ½, you’d have roughly half of that usable amount remaining, not 137.5 gallons.
Don’t Wait Until the Gauge Is on Empty
Once your gauge gets down to about ¼, it’s time to start thinking about your next delivery. Waiting until you’re nearly out doesn’t leave much breathing room, especially during a cold Wisconsin stretch when you may be using fuel faster than usual.
Rather not keep tabs on the gauge all winter? Automatic Delivery may be worth asking about. Your heating oil provider can use your past fuel use and the weather to estimate when you’ll need another delivery, so you’re not constantly checking the tank yourself.
That Whistle During a Delivery Has a Job
You may hear a steady whistling sound while your tank is being filled. That’s the vent alarm, and it gives the delivery driver important information about what’s happening inside the tank.
As heating oil flows in, air is pushed out through the vent pipe, creating the whistle. When the tank approaches its proper fill level, the whistle stops, letting the driver know it’s time to stop the delivery. It’s a simple safety feature, but an important one, and now you’ll know exactly what you’re hearing the next time the truck pulls up.
A Few Tank Details Worth Knowing
Your gauge isn’t the only part of the tank worth knowing. A few basics can make deliveries easier and help you recognize when something needs attention:
- Know where your fill and vent pipes are located: Your delivery driver uses these when filling the tank.
- Keep the outdoor fill area easy to reach: Clear away leaves, overgrown plants, snow, or anything else blocking access.
- Know roughly how old your tank is: Tanks can last for many years, but age and corrosion can eventually take a toll.
Take a Look Before Winter Arrives
Before another Wisconsin winter creeps in, take a minute to check your gauge and look over your tank.
Have a question about your gauge or tank, or want to make winter deliveries easier? Talk with your local heating oil provider about what they recommend for your home.