How do I prevent a heating oil run-out?

If you own an oil-fired heating system, one challenge you might encounter is keeping track of how much heating oil is in your tank, especially during an unexpected cold snap.

The truth is, when temperatures drop, you’ve got a lot on your mind – making sure your kids are safe, for example, or taking care of snow and ice removal. With all that activity, scheduling a heating oil delivery is one of those activities that just might slip through the cracks at a time when your need for heating fuel (and the consequences for being without it) are greatest.

If you have never gone through a heating oil run-out, congratulations – it’s not a fun experience, and it could end up being worse than that. For one thing, heating oil prices usually rise when fuel demand is highest, so you’ll pay more to heat your home. You’ll also have to pay a premium for an emergency heating oil service and delivery rather than a simple fill-up. A fuel run-out could also lead to other complications as sludge from the bottom of your heating oil tank enters the fuel lines, clogging filters and narrowing passages throughout your heating system.

So how to you keep from running out of heating oil? Here are four suggestions:

• Schedule a heating oil delivery before the cold arrives. Don’t wait until the first cold snap to buy heating oil – you may use it up more quickly than you think, putting yourself at risk for a run-out. Get a jump on your fall heating oil deliveries by placing your order today.
• Be proactive. Waiting until the last minute for a delivery – especially in cold weather – is a recipe for a no-heat emergency. Order your fuel when your tank is no less than one-quarter full (ideally a little before then).
• Enroll in Automatic Delivery. When you sign up for automatic heating oil delivery, you won’t have to worry about running out of fuel. In fact, you don’t really have to do a thing except pay your bill – our automated system will estimate (with high accuracy) when you need a refill based on your past usage and the current weather. When your tank is nearing one-quarter full, you’ll be contacted directly to schedule a heating oil delivery.
• Keep your heating equipment properly maintained. Regular, professional heating maintenance from a reputable heating service technician will help keep your furnace or boiler running at peak efficiency, which means your equipment will use less fuel. Professional service will also help spot oil leaks, performance drop-offs, and other problems before that could lead to bigger problems down the road.

Stay on top of fuel management this fall with FREE automatic heating oil delivery from Valley Oil. Contact us today to learn more, or to become a Valley Oil customer!