We’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions oilheat consumers in Michigan have about heating oil usage and the process of preparing for a delivery, checking your tank level, avoiding run-outs, and more.
A: Many factors affect your fuel use, including the outdoor temperature, the size of your home, the quality of insulation in your home, the efficiency of your furnace or boiler and your family’s own heating preferences.
But here’s one basic rule of thumb that will help to give you a general estimate. If outdoor temperatures average about 32° over a 24-hour period, a typical 2,500 square foot house will burn about six or seven gallons of heating oil per day.
On top of the heating oil tank is a clear glass or plastic cube that is marked with numbers that resemble the gas gauge of your car: F, ¾, ½, ¼. A red marker or float commonly indicates the amount of fuel left in your tank – if the float is at the bottom of the gauge or not visible at all, your tank is empty or nearly empty.
To make sure the gauge is working, carefully remove the outer case and gently press the float down. If it bobs back up to the original position, the gauge is working. If the gauge is not working, contact your heating oil supplier and let them know. The last thing you want to do is to start guessing how much oil is left in your tank.
To make winter deliveries easier and stress-free for you, ask your heating oil company if they offer automatic delivery. This allows them to be accurate about your fuel needs so they can make a heating oil delivery and you can continue to feel warm and safe using oilheat at home.
But if you still prefer to call for heating oil, you need to give your supplier extra time when conditions are harsh in order to avoid running out of fuel. It’s best to call for more fuel when your oil tank falls to the one-quarter mark.
In bad winter weather conditions, delivery drivers may encounter some problems that can cause your heating oil delivery to be delayed or rescheduled.
Here’s what you can do to help make sure that your heating oil delivery can be delivered in a timely fashion.
Keeping your tank accessible throughout the year will put a smile on the face of your delivery driver! With your help, you can make a tough job a little easier.