Checking your home heating oil level on a regular basis is an important task. It ensures that your home heating system is running smoothly and efficiently for the long cold winter months ahead. As one of Cork’s Home Heating Oil Suppliers, we will aim to deliver your home heating oil as quickly as possible should you need a delivery urgently. However, here is a handy guide for checking your home heating oil levels so that you can be sure you will never be in need of an emergency top-up.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHECK YOUR HOME HEATING OIL LEVELS?
During the Autumn and Winter months, you should be checking your home heating oil tank every fortnight – the last thing you want to do is run out of oil during a cold snap. It’s a good idea to choose a regular day to check your oil levels and set a reminder on your phone calendar and this will help you get into a routine. During the summer months, every 6 weeks is sufficient.
WHEN SHOULD YOU FILL UP YOUR HOME HEATING OIL TANK?
Most domestic home heating oil tanks range from 1000-2500 litres in size. You don’t want to allow the levels to fall too low as there will be sediment and impurities settled at the bottom of the tank, especially if it is an older tank and if the level is quite low, then this sediment will get carried through to your fuel line and cause damage to your boiler.
The safest option is to fill it when it is a quarter full – this reduces your chances of running low while you wait for your Cork home heating oil supplier to deliver your oil and it prevents any impurities running through your system. Your boiler should fire up immediately – if you are having to reset your boiler, this is a sign that your home heating levels are low and you should schedule a delivery.
WHAT TO CHECK WHEN LOOKING AT YOUR OIL LEVELS?
When you’re checking the oil levels in your heating oil tank, it’s also a good opportunity to check for any damage to the tank such as rust spots, leaks or damp patches. You should also prevent any rainwater from entering the tank by ensuring the cap is replaced tightly after you have checked the level or had a delivery. Rainwater can cause rusting inside the tank as well as interfering with the quality of the oil. We have some handy tips on what to do if you suspect you have an oil tank leak.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR HOME HEATING OIL LEVELS?
The most accurate way of checking your home heating oil level is to invest in a level gauge – there are a variety of different types of gauges available. As one of Cork’s home heating oil suppliers, we would be happy to advise you on the different options of gauges and monitoring systems for your oil levels. Whatever method you choose, you should check regularly that it is working accurately to avoid running out of oil.
- Dipstick: this is the most traditional method of checking your home heating oil levels. It is recommended that you use a straight measuring stick to dip into the tank and measure the level of the oil in the tank. This is a less common method nowadays but it can be handy to double-check the level if you suspect that your regular gauge is faulty.
- Sight Gauge: A simple sight gauge uses a clear plastic tube that runs up the side of the tank so you can very quickly establish how much oil you have left. This method can be difficult to maintain as over time the tube can become discoloured and difficult to read the level.
- Floating Gauge: You could also use a floating gauge where the float level moves up and down as the level of the oil fluctuates. To check the oil tank gauge is working on a float gauge, unscrew the plastic dome covering and gently nudge the rod downward, then let go. If it’s working, it’ll spring back up to the same level as it was before you pressed it down (assuming your tank isn’t empty).
- Digital Monitoring System: The most accurate of all is an electronic gauge which calculates tank dimensions in the unit so that it can then calculate the air pressure and depth. Some of these electronic gauges can be linked to your smartphone so that you receive an alert if the level falls below a certain point. This can be handy for tracking the amount of oil you are using either for your own benefit or if you are concerned about oil theft.
Of course, once you have established that you need to fill your oil tank, why not give us a call on 022-4222011 or email info@cityoil.ie to arrange a home delivery of oil. Unsure of which fuel to choose? Check out the full range of fuels available on our website www.cityoil.ie or you may want to have a look at our parent company website www.tria.ie – we are one of the leading Cork Home Heating Oil Suppliers with over 30 years experience and happy to manage your home heating oil needs.