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Ensure that you have enough fuel in your tank if you utilize heating oil for home heating. This is especially important during the winter season. If you know how much fuel oil you consume daily, you can determine if the amount you have can last you throughout winter. A lot of customers inquire about, “How much heating oil will I use a day?” Keep reading to learn more about the answer to this common query.
Factors That Affect Heating Oil Usage
Here are four of the most common factors affecting heating oil consumption and heating oil costs:
- The Size Of Your Home: Your home’s size and design help determine how much heating oil your home needs. Larger homes require more heat than smaller ones. Homes with bigger square footage will have higher heating oil consumption even with the same ambient temperature.
- The Design Of Your Home: Another crucial factor is the home’s design. The heating needs also depend on the total volume of your home’s interior space. Other factors affecting fuel consumption are the insulation quality and wall thickness.
- Ambient Temperature: Your region’s ambient temperature also significantly influences your fuel usage. Colder temperatures mean that your daily heating oil consumption increases. A decrease in 15° Fahrenheit can likely double your oil use.
- Oil Furnace Condition: Oil furnaces should be kept clean and well-maintained to run efficiently. Ensure that a professional checks it annually, preferably before the fall. Your oil consumption will decrease when you have an efficient heating system.
Heating Oil Consumption Based On Temperature
The average capacity of oil tanks is 275 gallons. A standard home uses 2 gallons of oil daily when the local temperature is 50° Fahrenheit. Therefore, a full tank can sufficiently heat your home for 137.5 days or around four and a half months. This means a full tank can last you through the whole cold season.
However, temperature fluctuations happen during winter. A plunge in temperature can result in increased heating oil use. For instance, a 40-degree day means you’ll use around 3.7 gallons of heating oil. If the temperature stays the same, a full tank will only last approximately 74 days or two and a half months.
The temperature may sometimes drop to 20° Fahrenheit. Therefore, a typical home will need 7 gallons of oil daily. This means a full tank will only be enough to heat your home for 39 days if the temperature stays consistent.
The cold months mean the temperature generally fluctuates around the 20s and 40s or an average of 30° Fahrenheit. Therefore, the typical home uses around 5.3 gallons of heating oil daily. A full tank should last about 52 days or one month and three weeks.
A 275-gallon tank is typically sufficient for the average home. However, ensure that you estimate your fuel use if you own a smaller tank so you can determine when to refill your tank.
Estimate Your Heating Oil Requirements Based On Historical Statistics
You can calculate your home’s average oil usage per your previous heating bills if you’ve lived there for some years. Record your annual fuel consumption. You can utilize this information to learn your yearly, monthly, and daily figures for heating oil usage.
Check for homes close to yours that are the same size if you’re new to the neighborhood. Ask your neighbors about their heating oil use to find out the amount of oil you need daily. You can also contact the closest heating oil supplier to get an estimate.
Average Heating Oil Usage Based On Square Footage
The home’s size affects the average heating oil use. The average size of US homes is 2,687 square feet; your home’s size may be bigger or smaller.
For every 1,000 square footage, your home requires these estimates in response to the average outdoor temperature:
- 10° Fahrenheit: 3.27 gallons
- 20° Fahrenheit: 2.67 gallons
- 30° Fahrenheit: 2.07 gallons
- 40° Fahrenheit: 1.47 gallons
- 50° Fahrenheit: 0.87 gallons
If your home has 3,500 square footage, you require 3.5 times the estimated requirements listed above. For instance, you need 5.15 gallons of heating oil on a typical 40-degree day.
Heating Oil For Water Heaters
Water heaters are usually powered by heating oil, electricity, natural gas, and propane. Remember to adjust your calculation if you use heating oil for space and water heating.
On average, water heaters require 0.5 to 1.0 gallons of heating oil daily. The consumption depends on your home’s size and the number of occupants who shower each day.
Final Word
The size of your home, regional temperature, and historical statistics can help you determine how much heating oil you need per day. You can also call a local heating oil provider for an educated estimate, especially if you are new to a neighborhood.
Call Lake Region Energy For Superior Heating Oil Delivery Services
If you’re looking for a reliable fuel oil delivery service in southwestern Maine, look no further than Lake Region Energy. Our fuel deliveries are prompt, affordable, and provided with a friendly touch.
We take pride in providing unmatched service every time. Contact us today to learn about our various delivery plans and financing options. We offer a comprehensive range of HVAC services to improve your home’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall comfort. Our services include heating and cooling tune-ups, repairs, installations, and more. Don’t hesitate to call us now!
For more information about our fuel deliveries and HVAC services, be sure to contact Lake Region Energy. You can click here to contact us, or you can call us at (207) 839-5500 to find out more. We offer a full line of heating and cooling repairs, maintenance services, and installations.