11/11/2024

How can I make my home heating oil last longer?

As crude oil prices inflate, the demand for heating oil increases, and distribution costs adjust, thinking about filling your oil tank can be scary. While we approach the colder months of the year, taking time to make simple adjustments to your heating habits and incorporate boiler maintenance and general oil tank health can help you save money in the long run. Keep reading our blog to see our latest advice and quick tips on making your heating oil last longer this winter.

Check The Condition Of Your Oil Tank

Checking the condition of your oil tank before winter starts is essential. An oil tank technician can inspect your tank, picking up any issues that may make it less efficient, such as faulty valves or fixtures, damaged pipelines, sludge, or splits and cracks that could lead to leakages. Ensuring your oil tank is performing to maximum capacity can help make the heating oil you purchase last longer. 

Moderate Oil Levels With a Gauge

Keeping an eye on the level of oil in your tank with a gauge can help keep your oil last longer in your home. If you notice you are consuming a lot, you can moderate your usage so you don’t run out in the peak of winter.

Turn Down Your Thermostat

According to Citizens Advice, turning down your heating temperature by one degree can decrease your heating spending by 10%. Pulling out those fluffy socks and blankets can help you really save on oil spending and make the heating last much longer. 

Bleed Your Radiators

If your radiators take a long time to heat up or have cold spots along the top, they may require bleeding. Bleeding a radiator isn’t as scary as it may seem, and many how-to guides are available online. By bleeding your radiators, you will see a significant increase in the heat that they pump out and, potentially, a reduction in the amount of oil needed to heat your home.

Keep Your Boiler Clean 

Although you won’t be able to clean inside your boiler – that’s a job for the yearly service – you should give it a once-over with a duster to prevent any pipes from being blocked by dust and dirt. Even though it may seem like a small task, this can improve the efficiency of your boiler in the long run by keeping its tubes and pipes free from dirt.

Insulate Pipeworks

Insulating the pipes and boiler with lagging is a cost-effective way to maintain the efficiency of your heating system. You can purchase insulating material at most DIY stores; all you need is the size of the pipes to find insulation that will fit perfectly.

Insulating your heating system will help to keep the water in the boiler hotter for longer, protect the pipes from damage and dust, and reduce the overall cost of heating your home.

Service Your Boiler

Many people forget to book an annual service for their boilers. This means that your boiler could run more efficiently and cost less to operate, but you won’t know this until you have it serviced. If your radiators are lukewarm and you’re getting surprised with cold showers, your boiler may be overdue for a service.

Engineers can inspect the setup to ensure efficiency, remove any corrosive dirt, and identify potential issues before they cause problems in your pipes. At times, your engineer may recommend flushing the system with high-pressure water to clean out the entire system.

Quick Tips For Managing Fluctuating Oil Prices

There are several practical strategies to help you effectively navigate the challenges posed by fluctuating oil prices.

Buy in bulk 

Consider bulk purchasing to save more on oil. 

Plan when to buy

Consider purchasing heating oil before winter to save money on potential price spikes.

Protect from theft

Protect your oil from theft by using locks and alarms and installing a gauge to monitor oil levels in your tank. This will prevent wasted money on oil.

Schemes like The Oil Club are great at helping you find the cheapest prices of oil in your area, placing your order on a Friday, and getting oil delivered by Monday!

FAQs

What do I do if I run out of oil in the middle of winter?

You really want to avoid running out of oil during the peak of winter, but if you find yourself in a situation where your oil tank is empty, you need to source oil as soon as possible. The best thing you can do is to contact your heating oil supplier straight away and organise a fuel delivery.

The best practices for avoiding this situation are using an oil tank gauge to monitor your fuel usage, setting a schedule to check your oil tank, installing a level alarm to alert you on your phone when the level is getting low, and ensuring your tank is full at the start of winter. If you find you are running out of oil on multiple occasions, consider installing a bigger oil tank before the next winter season.

How long should 500 litres of oil last?

A central heating boiler typically burns 1.5–2.5 litres of oil per hour when it’s continuously operating, however, the amount of oil a boiler uses can vary significantly. This can equate to anywhere around 200-250 hours. For a smaller property that requires little heating, or is assisted by another form of heating, 500 litres should be fine. For bigger properties, older properties, or for residents that prefer it toasty, tanks around 2,500 litres are much better suited.

Will heating oil prices go up or down over winter?

Heating oil prices often fluctuate during the winter months, changing daily. In the months leading up to winter, fuel prices start to rise as everyone prepares their homes for the cold weather. If you find yourself getting low on oil during the peak of winter, prices might have dropped as there is less demand. Being prepared well in advance is the best way to avoid getting caught up in the changing prices.

If you’re looking to prepare your home for winter, schedule an oil tank inspection today to catch any issues before your tank’s running efficiency becomes detrimental. While oil prices may be high, filling up your tank early in the season and following our simple guide to making your heating oil last longer can help you save some pennies! Contact a member of our team by calling on 01638 492099 or emailing [email protected].