When you drive your vehicle, you always need to pay attention to the fuel gauge to ensure you don’t run out of gas. If it looks as if your gas tank might be close to empty, you will need to stop at the closest gas station to fill up your tank again. You should pay just as much attention to the oil tank in your home.
Remember that you need fuel in your heating system if you want your house to stay warm. If you let the heating oil in your tank to become depleted because you weren’t paying attention, you will be stuck in a chilly home with no heat until you can have oil delivered. To avoid this type of situation, you need to know how to read an oil tank gauge or other methods to ensure the tank has enough fluid volume. This way, you will know the right time to call for oil delivery.
How Can I Tell If I Am Running Out Of Oil To Heat My Home?
Here are some techniques to find out how much oil you have in the fuel tank:
Table of Contents:
1. Check The Oil Tank Gauge
There should be a gauge on the oil tank in your home. This can help you instantly assess the level of fuel in the tank. This gauge works in the same manner as the fuel gauge in your car. You can see if your tank is empty, full, or somewhere in the middle of these extremes. If your gauge reads “empty”, this does not necessarily mean that you have absolutely no fuel. It is possible that enough fuel remains in the tank for you to keep the furnace running as long as you turn down the thermostat. You should call to have heating oil delivered to your home before the tank becomes completely empty. One good rule is to arrange for a delivery of fuel oil from your oil supplier when the tank is about one-third full. If the gauge is not working properly, move on to Step 2.
2. Visually Inspect The Level Of Oil In Your Tank
If the gauge does not appear to be reliable, you should call a professional to inspect it. To find out how much oil you have left in your tank, you will need to inspect your oil tank using the manual visual method. First, find the cap on top of the fuel tank. Turn it by hand to loosen it until you can totally remove it. Place the cap in a safe location that is easily accessible so you will not lose it when you need to put it back on later. Have a flashlight ready and use it to light up the interior of the tank. If you can see the light of the flashlight reflected, it means there is still oil in the tank. If you are able to see solids and sludge, it means you are very close to running out of fuel and you may even be completely out. These residues are combined with rust, dirt, and other substances that can clog your fuel lines if you let your tank get completely empty. You must call for a delivery of fuel oil as quickly as possible.
3. The Dipstick Method Of Determining Oil Tank Levels
If you discover that there is oil in your fuel tank, you must determine how much oil is present. A good way to accomplish this is to use a dipstick that is four feet in length. You can use a long broomstick if necessary. Just put the stick through the opening of the tank until you can feel it has reached the bottom. Leave it there for a short while to ensure the oil clings to the stick. Pull the stick up and allow the excess oil to drip off it. Use a pencil or pen to mark the top of the oil. If the oil mark is very low, it means you have very little home heating oil left in your tank.
4. A Long Wire Can Be Used To Measure Underground Oil Tanks
A dipstick may not be useful to you if you need to measure the oil in an underground fuel tank. In this case, you can use a six-foot long wire to measure it. Any sort of wire can work as long as it bends easily. Feed the wire through the opening until you can feel it has reached the tank and hit the bottom. Pull the wire back and check to see if it has oil along the length of the wire. There should be a red-colored liquid appearing on the wire. If there is a lot of this liquid, you can relax. If there is no liquid appearing on the wire, you need to arrange a delivery of home heating oil.
Contact The Better Home Heat Council To Arrange For Your Fuel Oil Needs
You need to check your fuel levels regularly so that you can have your fuel oil delivered to your home in a timely manner. Make a habit of checking often so you do not have to worry about staying warm in winter.
You need to deal with a reputable fuel oil delivery company in the cold winter months so you can stay cozy in your home. Call the Better Home Heat Council to make arrangements with a local supplier. All our fuel oil dealers provide efficient and timely deliveries of heating oil.
The Better Home Heat Council (BHHC) is dedicated to teaching consumers about the benefits of oil heat. We help homeowners find effective solutions to their energy problems. Lehigh Valley oil suppliers provide a wide range of services and products. Click here to find a supplier close to you. Many of our oil dealers offer energy consultations to their clients.
For questions and concerns concerning your HVAC system or oil delivery, click here to contact the Better Home Heat Council today.