Written on: February 13, 2020
A question that we get often is “How long will my heating oil last?” And on cold winter mornings, these are important questions to keep your family and your home warm.
You want to get the most out of your heating oil and you want to live as efficiently as possible and conserve energy.
How Long Does Heating Oil Last?
Typically, the calculation for how long heating oil lasts is hinged on the size of your home and how long you leave your furnace running. Using a general rule of thumb, most homeowners use tanks 300 gallons or less for one and two-bedroom homes.
However, having a good understanding of how long your heating oil lasts is important and dependent on a number of factors other than the size of your home. External temperature, the condition and maintenance of your furnace, how extendable the life of your heating oil is are all factors to consider.
What Factors Affect Heating Oil Usage?
Several factors impact how long your heating oil will last. Let’s cover each of those.
Outdoor Temperature
The amount of heating oil consumed during a blizzard or extremely cold weather is different from that of a warm winter season. Extremely cold outside temperatures increase the rate of heating oil consumption — the more the temperature drops, the higher the rate of heating oil consumption. The wind is also something to consider, as it accelerates the rate of heat loss from a house.
Condition of Your Furnace
What’s the condition of your furnace and how long have you been using it? Has it been well maintained or has it suffered some damages without adequate salvaging? Older, aging furnaces and ill-maintained ones have a tendency to consume more oil than newer models that have been designed for efficiency. You may want to consider upgrading your furnace and having regularly scheduled maintenance.
Your Use Case Scenario
What your oil is being used for specifically is essential for determining how long your heating oil will last. Are you using it for heat, or for both heat and hot water? If you are using it for both, you’ll definitely consume more than the heat-only use case. Also, you may want to check how long your furnace stays on, especially if you do not have a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust your temperature inside.
Calculating Specifically How Long Heating Oil May Last
A measuring technique by Inspectapedia suggests that you can make a very rough guess of your usage by noting how many minutes per hour your oil burner is running. Denoting that oil burners use a spray nozzle that delivers oil at a flow rate of around 0.8 to 1.7 gallons per hour is important. You’ll also need to know your oil tank size and how much oil you have in it (if it’s not a full tank of oil).
Santa Energy’s tracking technology saves you a load of stress by calculating precisely when your home will need a heating oil refill and gets your heating oil filled automatically before you run out.
How long should 100 gallons of heating oil last?
Using the calculation above, 1.7 gallons per hour x 10 hours a day (assuming the number of hours you spend at home is 10 hours) = 17 gallons a day. That means, 100 gallons of oil will last you about six days (100-gallon tank / 17 gallons per day = 5.8 days).
Or, if you want to calculate using a full day (24-hours), 1.7 gallons per hour x 24 hours a day = 40.8 gallons a day. If your oil tank size is 100 gallons, then your tank will last two-and-a-half days (100-gallon tank / 40.8 gallons = 2.45 days).
How long will 10 gallons of heating oil last?
Following our previous calculations, 10 gallons of heating oil at a consumption rate of 1.7 gallons per hour should last 5.8 hours. (10-gallon tank / 1.7 gallons per hour = 5.8 hours).
Northeast Temperatures Effect on Heating Oil Consumption
Considering that most residential heating oil consumers are in the Northeast and about 20% of households in the Northeast Census region use heating oil as their main space heating fuel, it is helpful to make estimates based on outside temperature on how long heating oil lasts in this region.
Here’s a chart that’ll help you make estimates based on outside temperature:
| Average Outside Temperature (°F) | Approximate Gallons Used in 24 Hours | |
| 15 | 7.8 | |
| 20 | 7.0 | |
| 25 | 6.2 | |
| 30 | 5.3 | |
| 35 | 4.5 | |
| 40 | 3.7 | |
| 45 | 2.8 | |
| 50 | 2.0 |
How to Conserve Heating Oil
The question after examining all of these is, how do you then conserve your heating oil?
Regular Maintenance
Make sure you have the right and well-maintained equipment, from your tank to your furnace. Have your furnace tuned up to keep it working efficiently. Your tank should also be checked regularly for degradation, as a corroded or leaky oil tank will degrade your oil faster and external impurities can penetrate your oil.
Proper Insulation
If your house is well insulated, heating oil conservation is easier. Good insulation means the heat is retained in the house, rather than being dispersed through the roof, windows, and walls. Invest in an energy audit and insulate your home properly, seal gaps around the edges of windows and floorboards, reduce drafts.
According to Energy Saving Trust, you could stop losing around 33% of your heat through uninsulated walls which will make your home feel warmer and more comfortable and save costs.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
Use a Smart Thermostat to regulate the heat, reduce heat wastage and adjust usage when you are not home.
Layer Up
Dressing in layers and decorating your house for warmth are effective ways of generating heat and conserving energy.
Order Oil During the Off-Season
As the demand for a product increases, the price of that product begins to rise. Oil prices tend to increase with demand, so having your tank filled during a low-demand season is good for you, especially when supply problems can arise during the high-demand winter season.
In addition to our heating oil delivery services, Santa Energy provides a variety of other heating services including furnace maintenance, repair, and new heating system installation.
I am an energy enthusiast with a deep understanding of heating systems and the factors that affect heating oil usage. My expertise extends to the nuances of maintaining furnaces, optimizing energy consumption, and maximizing the efficiency of heating oil. Allow me to share my insights into the concepts covered in the article you provided.
Factors Affecting Heating Oil Usage:
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Outdoor Temperature:
- External temperature plays a crucial role in heating oil consumption.
- Cold weather increases the rate of heating oil consumption, especially during blizzards.
- Wind can accelerate heat loss from a house, further impacting oil usage.
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Condition of Your Furnace:
- The age and maintenance of a furnace significantly influence oil consumption.
- Older and poorly maintained furnaces tend to consume more oil than newer, efficient models.
- Regular maintenance and timely upgrades can optimize furnace performance.
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Use Case Scenario:
- The specific purpose for which heating oil is used affects consumption.
- Heating oil may be used for heat only or both heat and hot water, with the latter consuming more oil.
- Monitoring the duration your furnace stays on, especially without a programmable thermostat, is crucial.
Calculating Heating Oil Usage:
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Measuring Technique by Inspectapedia:
- Estimate usage by noting the minutes per hour your oil burner runs.
- Oil burners use a spray nozzle delivering oil at a flow rate of 0.8 to 1.7 gallons per hour.
- Consider oil tank size and the current oil level for accurate calculations.
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Example Calculations:
- Using the consumption rate of 1.7 gallons per hour, you can estimate the duration 100 or 10 gallons of heating oil will last.
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Northeast Temperatures Effect:
- The article provides a chart estimating gallons used in 24 hours based on outside temperature in the Northeast.
Conserving Heating Oil:
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Regular Maintenance:
- Ensure proper maintenance of equipment, including the furnace and oil tank.
- Regular checks prevent degradation of the tank, ensuring the oil lasts longer.
-
Proper Insulation:
- Well-insulated homes retain heat better, reducing the need for excessive oil consumption.
- Sealing gaps and investing in an energy audit contribute to efficient insulation.
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Programmable Thermostat:
- Utilize smart thermostats to regulate heat, minimizing wastage during periods of absence.
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Layer Up:
- Dressing in layers and improving house insulation contribute to heat conservation.
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Order Oil During Off-Season:
- Fill your tank during low-demand seasons to avoid price hikes during high-demand winter.
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Additional Tips:
- The article suggests additional tips such as decorating your house for warmth and utilizing Santa Energy's tracking technology for automatic refills.
In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of these concepts allows homeowners to make informed decisions, conserve heating oil, and ensure efficient energy usage during the winter months.
