Heating oil delivery and monitoring: 5 top tips for Delmarva residents
Scheduling or preparing for a home heating oil delivery in the winter can sometimes be necessary to ensure a warm and comfortable home during the cold months. Here are five tips to help you stay on top of your home heating oil needs, and prepare for delivery if you’re caught running low during the winter.
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Tip #1: Monitor your heating oil levels
Regularly check the gauge or use the manual dipstick to determine how many inches of oil remain in your tank. This will help you estimate when a refill might be necessary, and avoid damage to your heating system.
Heating systems typically rely on a constant supply of heating oil to operate efficiently. If your tank runs empty or the fuel level drops too low, the heating system may struggle. This can lead to malfunctions, excessive wear and tear, and even damage to critical components. Monitoring your oil levels ensures that you always have an adequate amount of fuel to keep your heating system running smoothly.
Here’s how to check your oil tank level using the “stick” method
Customers in the PepUp service area usually don’t have an external gauge that allows for a quick visual inspection of heating oil levels inside the tank. Instead, you’ll need to check your heating oil levels using a “stick” method that’s similar to checking your car’s oil using a dipstick.
- First, you’ll need a clean stick that’s at least 6 feet long to ensure you can reach the bottom of your tank, and not lose the stick inside.
- Next, locate your fill pipe, remove the cap, and insert the stick straight down until you hit the bottom of the tank.
- Pull the stick out slowly and measure how many inches of oil are on the stick.
- Use this Fuel Inches Chart from PepUp to determine how many gallons of oil you have left in your tank, based on the size of your tank and the inches of oil on your stick.
Tip #2: Schedule heating oil delivery before levels get too low
During the winter, establish a routine to check your oil levels once or twice a week, depending on your usage patterns. This will allow you to estimate when it’s time to schedule a delivery and avoid running out of oil.
Don’t wait until your tank is completely empty before scheduling a delivery. It’s important to plan ahead to avoid running out of heating oil. Contact PepUp for heating oil delivery early, especially during periods of high demand, to ensure you have enough fuel to last through the colder weather.
Tip #3: Consider automatic delivery
To eliminate the stress of monitoring your oil levels and scheduling deliveries, consider enrolling in Automatic Delivery from PepUp. This service uses an advanced monitoring system to track your oil usage and automatically schedule deliveries when you are running low. This helps avoid the risk of running out of oil and ensures a convenient and uninterrupted supply.
Tip #4: Keep your heating oil tank accessible
Before the scheduled delivery, make sure the pathway to your heating oil tank is clear of snow, ice, or any obstructions to the walking path. This will allow the delivery driver to access your tank easily and safely. Keep in mind that a clear and accessible pathway also helps expedite the delivery process and avoids potential delays.
Tip #5: Communicate any special instructions when you contact PepUp for delivery
For example, if there is a specific entrance to your property, a locked gate, or a dog on the premises, make sure your delivery driver is aware. This will help ensure a smooth and efficient delivery experience for everyone, and your driver will thank you for keeping pets contained during your delivery.
Bonus tip: Have a backup plan
When it comes to winter preparedness in our region, it’s important to have home heating backup plans. Have backup heating options that are indoor-safe, such as propane fireplace inserts or space heaters.
PepUp offers emergency heating oil delivery on Delmarva and throughout our delivery service area in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, so you can call us 24/7/365 for emergency delivery at 800-638-7802. We’ll deliver your heating oil quickly. Having a plan in place for while we’re on the way will help you, your family, and your water pipes stay warm and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Home Heating Oil Systems
If you’re new to home heating oil, you may have questions our technicians can answer.
Here are some of the most common questions our customers have about heating oil furnaces, efficiency, and challenges.
Homes use about 5.3 gallons of oil daily when temperatures drop to 30 degrees and around 4.5 gallons on days when it’s 35 degrees.* This means that a typical home in the Delmarva area can expect to use approximately 4.9 gallons of heating oil per day during the winter months. With a 275-gallon tank, this supply should last about 56 days at this daily usage rate.
*Depending on variables like your thermostat settings, home insulation, and heating system efficiency, your usage may be different. This is just a general guideline.
While oil heating has its advantages, several drawbacks contribute to its declining use. Here are some key disadvantages of heating with oil:
- Price Volatility: The cost of furnace oil can fluctuate significantly, much like other petroleum products. Currently, it is more expensive than any other heating fuel, costing up to 50 percent more than propane.
- Spill Risks: Oil heating systems, including tanks, are susceptible to leaks, especially if not well maintained. In the event of a spill, it’s essential to call residential environmental response professionals promptly to clean up and prevent contamination from reaching groundwater.
- Environmental Concerns: Burning furnace oil releases greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants, such as CO2, nitrogen oxides, VOCs, and aromatic hydrocarbons, contributing to air pollution since it’s a non-renewable fossil fuel.
- Maintenance Requirements: Oil heating systems require regular upkeep to remain operational and avert spills or fires. This maintenance comes with additional costs.
Looking for a cleaner, greener, and more wallet-friendly home heating solution? Learn more about swapping your heating oil furnace for propane-powered heat.
The cost of oil heating includes the cost of fuel, system efficiency, and your home heating needs. Heating oil systems can be more expensive to fuel than electric or propane systems when oil prices are high.
Older oil boilers are usually less efficient than newer models or propane systems, and the cost to heat your home will be affected by the weather, the size of your home, and its energy efficiency. Transitioning to a more efficient or alternative heating system can lead to long-term savings, especially if current systems are outdated or costly to operate.
Meet Contributor and PepUp Petroleum Delivery Driver, Pat Quail
PepUp heating oil customers in our Georgetown, DE, district may recognize this familiar face. Pat Quail has been delivering home heating oil to our customers for six years, and he always has a minute for a question or a friendly chat.
