Whenpurchasing home heating oil, often the most important question customers have is ‘how much heating oil do I need?’. The amount of heating oil you order primarily depends on how much heating oil your house uses per year.
Calculating your heating oil usage can help make sure you order the right amount. Placing an accurate order with an oil supplier keeps costs down whilst having enough heating oil to meet your requirements.
If you are moving into a new property with oil central heating, this may all seem like a bit of a mystery. In this guide we’ll let you know how Certas Energy can help you keep track of just how much heating oil you need to buy for your home.
How Much Heating Oil Does An Average House Use?
The average UK oil heated household uses around 26,999 kWh of energy per year. A heating oil kWh per litre roughly equals to 10.35 kWh, this amount translates to around 1,700 – 1,800 litres of heating oil – or between two and three tanks. Most of our domestic customers order 2-3 times a year but this can depend on things like:
- The size of your home
- How often you turn the heating on
- The efficiency of your boiler
- Your home’s insulation
- Whether you use heating oil for cooking appliances
If you choose regular deliveries of 500 litres every quarter, you can monitor how long 500 litres lasts. Then, you change your next delivery accordingly. To avoid running out of heating oil, we also recommend installing our FoxRadar tank monitor. Doing so will help you keep a close eye on your heating oil usage and work out how often you need to top up.
How Much Does it Cost to Heat a House with Oil?
How much your total heating bills come to will largely depend on the size of your home and the heating system you have installed.
It may be surprising to discover that postcodes also influence the cost of heating your home. If your delivery location is difficult to reach, the price of your order may be slightly higher.
We have a reliable delivery network of over 85 depots, 900 tankers and 2,300 employees. So, you can rest assured that Certas Energy can cater to your heating needs wherever you are.
How Do You Calculate Heating Oil Usage?
If you want complete control over your fuel consumption, Certas Energy offers a heating oil monitor called FoxRadar. Our oil monitor sends out regular alerts to your phone and can be easily DIY installed.
Read more about our FoxRadar domestic heating oil level monitor.
How Long Does Heating Oil Last?
On average, heating oil should last between 18 and 24 months before it goes to waste. By adding certain additives at delivery we can ensure it lasts longer. But there are also other simple things you can do to prolong its shelf life. For example:
- Tank condition – A well cared for tank will help your heating oil last longer. Check your tank regularly for cracks or damage. Make sure your tank is in full working order in time for your next heating oil delivery.
- Temperature – The colder weather can coagulate the heating oil when the temperatures plummet. As a result, oil can develop a gel-like consistency which can clog your filters and lines. This shouldn’t be an issue once the temperatures rise, as the oil returns to its original state, but it’s something to keep in mind in the cooler months.
- Insulation – Optimising your home for cold weather conditions can mean you use less heating oil overall. Invest in good insulation on windows, doors and floors to reduce heating oil use
If you’re looking to get more out of your energy costs, read our handy guide on how to make your heating oil last longer.
How to Make the Most of Your Oil Usage?
To prevent overflow, you should only fill heating oil tanks to around 80-90% capacity. If you think you may have ordered too much heating oil, don’t panic. Our teams will make sure to avoid overfilling your tank.
Let our team know about potential errors before delivery by leaving your details with our customer relations team.
To get a clearer idea of how much heating oil you need, regularly check your oil gauge. By regularly checking your oil gauge and recording how much oil you use, you can get a better understanding of your usage.
For an even easier way to keep track of your oil usage, try FoxRadar. Our clever digital oil gauges let you ditch the dipstick and check your fuel levels from the office, the shops or even the beach. It couldn’t be easier to control what you’re spending and how much oil is in your tank.
How much will my heating oil cost?
The price of heating oil changes often, so the cost of filling a home oil tank in the UK will fluctuate throughout the year.
With the FoxRadar oil monitor, you can estimate future delivery costs. The monitor helps you to predict how much it will cost for future deliveries.
Sign up and get a free quote for your next heating oil order.
How do I store heating oil?
A plastic or steel storage container is effective for storing heating oil. These include:
- A tank,
- A drum
- An intermediate bulk container (IBC)
If you’re using heating oil in your home, it’s important to store it as per government regulations. You can find a full list of rules and regulations on gov.uk, as well as industry standards agency OFTEC.
If you don’t yet have a tank but are thinking about installing one, a registered technician must be there to install it.
Having an adequate storage tank means you can take advantage of lower summer prices to top up your heating oil. You can store your heating oil safely in preparation for the winter months when your usage may increase.
What is the average capacity of a heating oil tank?
Both domestic and commercial heating oil tanks can vary in size and style. General, they can hold between 1,000 litres and 2,500 litres of kerosene.
How do I buy heating oil?
You can order heating oil easily with Certas Energy.
To do this, simply choose the type of oil you require then select how many litres you need. the minimum order is 500 litres.
If you’re a new customer, you need to set up an account. Then, you can add your personal details and address, which we’ll use for deliveries. We’ll then agree on a quote and you can proceed to checkout.
Thanks to our Easy Payment Plan, you can pay a monthly fee for your fuel to help you better manage your costs. In addition, we will monitor your use of the fuels as part of our Planned Delivery Service. We will alert you if you are using too much / less than you are paying for.
Get a quote online or call us on 0345 600 4040 to speak to our knowledgeable team.
