When Should You Order Heating Oil?
Heating oil has been used for hundreds of years. It’s a reliable, and safe way to heat your home. In Havertown and the surrounding parts of PA, John Cipollone Inc. has been delivering heating oil since 1953. We have installed, repaired, and maintained oil furnaces, and know everything you need to know about oil heating for homes in our area.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly when you should order more heating oil. There are ways to measure the levels of oil remaining in your tank, from newer electronic sonar systems, to simpler gauges. We recommend that you refill your heating oil tank once it gets down to a quarter of a tank full.
If you are in the PA neighborhoods west of Philadelphia and are looking for heating oil, give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online! We can get you set up with oil furnace service, or oil delivery, and make sure that your home is warm all winter long.
How Can You Tell Your Oil Tank Is Empty?
There are gauges and measuring tools that will help you tell how much heating oil you have left in your tank. If you are completely out of oil… your heating won’t work, as there is no fuel to burn.
In some cases, there is an oil tank gauge, which looks like a glass fixture that you screw into the top of your tank. There is a little indicator that floats up and lets you know the level of gas in the tank. It’s usually red or yellow. The bobber/indicator is usually fairly accurate, but not the most accurate form of measurement.
There are also systems that allow you to use sonar to measure the oil tank levels. Here at John Cipollone Inc., we use the GREMLIN Tank Monitor. This screws onto your tank, and sends a sonar reading throughout the tank, to get an exact measurement of how much oil is in there. This can give you a PRECISE indication of how much oil you have left.
Once again, if your tank gets down to about a quarter of the way full, we recommend that you schedule your oil delivery.
Why Order Oil At A Quarter Tank Full?
There are 2 main reasons why we recommend you order oil once it gets to a quarter tank full. One of them is more obvious, while the other may be a bit more under the radar.
Don’t Run Out Of Oil
The more obvious reason is that you don’t want to run out of oil. If you get to a quarter of a tank, it could go pretty quickly depending on how cold it is and how much oil you are going to use. If you wait until it gets lower, you may run the risk of going through a period of no heat. Especially if it’s cold, oil delivery companies may be busy, and it could take a few days to get your delivery.
Ordering oil at a quarter tank full will ensure your tank won’t run out of oil.
Ensure Efficient Operation
If you are running low on oil, it could cause your system to run less efficiently. Once the oil tank gets down to around ⅛ full or lower, sediment from the bottom of your oil tank may start to get into the lines and cause problems with your heating system.
It’s natural to have sediment at the bottom of your oil tank. The same tends to happen in a water heater as well. Filling the oil tank before it gets down to the bottom of the barrel will help keep the lines clean and the system working efficiently!
Types Of Oil Delivery
At John Cipollone Inc., we have 2 types of oil delivery. The more popular type of delivery is automatic. We have an automated system that lets us know when you are running low on oil. Then one of our comfort specialists will give you a call and schedule a delivery to keep your oil tank full.
The other kind of delivery is “Will Call”. This is when you have to read your gauge and decide when it’s time to order oil. This works as well, but it requires the homeowners to keep an eye on their oil levels.
Click Here To Schedule Heating Oil Delivery
Heating Oil Delivery On The Main Line, PA
We hope this article has helped you learn more about when you should order heating oil, and the best way to measure your tank’s levels. If you live in our service area around the Main Line, Havertown, Ardmore, or the surrounding neighborhoods, John Cipollone Inc. can help you out with your heating oil delivery. Just give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online!
