Whether you need another oil delivery before spring depends on what is left in the tank and how cold March and April turn out. By March most people are done thinking about heating oil. The furnace is not. Here is how to tell whether what is in the tank will get you to warm weather.
Why you may need an oil delivery before spring
In Connecticut the heat typically runs from October into April. March afternoons warm up, but nights in the 20s and 30s are normal, and a late snowstorm is never off the table.
Do the math on your tank
Most home tanks hold 275 gallons. In late-winter weather a typical house burns somewhere around 2 to 5 gallons a day, and more in a cold snap.
- A quarter tank is about 70 gallons. That is two to five weeks. Order now.
- Half a tank is about 135 gallons. That is probably enough for March, but it may not cover a cold April. Watch the gauge and the forecast.
- Three quarters or more will very likely carry you until fall.
Do not plan on burning the last few inches. The bottom of the tank is where sludge settles, and you do not want it in the fuel line.
Should you wait for the price to drop?
Prices often ease in spring, which we explain in our post on whether heating oil is cheaper in the spring. They do not ease on a schedule, though. If you are sitting at a quarter tank, waiting for a better price is a bet against the weather.
A reasonable middle path is a smaller fill now and a top-off later in the spring. Our pricing starts at 50 gallons.
If you would rather not do this math
On automatic delivery we track your usage and schedule the fill. The Oil Budget Program spreads the season over 10 even monthly payments and includes automatic delivery.
You can order home heating oil online or call (203) 265-4328.
If the math says you will come up short, schedule your oil delivery before spring now, while there is still room on your town’s route.
