How Much Heating Oil Will I Use A Day?
Having sufficient amounts of heating oil in your tank is essential during the cold winter season. Therefore, it is also crucial that you know how much heating oil you use in a day to see if you have enough to last through the cold months. Many customers ask, “How much heating oil will I use a day?” This article includes all you need to know to answer this common query.
Factors That Affect Heating Oil Usage
Some of the factors that impact your home’s heating oil use are:
1. Your Home’s Size And Design
The heating oil quantity your home needs is dependent on its design and size. Larger homes require more heat compared to smaller homes. Even if the ambient temperature is the same, homes with higher square footage require more #2 heating oil.
Your home’s design is also an essential factor. The heating needs rely not only on how big your house is but also on the overall volume of the interior area. Other essential factors that affect fuel consumption include insulation quality and wall thickness.
2. Ambient Temperature
The ambient temperature where your house is located has a significant impact on your home’s fuel consumption. Colder temperatures mean that your daily heating oil consumption increases. This means that a 15-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature can potentially double the amount of fuel you use.
3. The Oil Furnace’s Condition
The oil furnace should be clean and well-maintained at all times. This way, it can operate efficiently and effectively for an extended period. Make sure that it is tuned up by a professional once a year, especially before the cold season begins. Bear in mind that a highly efficient heating unit will consume less heating oil.
Heating Oil Consumption Based On Temperature
Oil tanks typically have a capacity of 275 gallons. A local temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit equates to the average home utilizing 2 gallons of heating oil per day. As a result, a full tank is sufficient for around four and a half months. Therefore, a full tank can last you for the entire winter season.
However, temperature fluctuations during the winter are not uncommon. When this happens, you could be using more heating oil than just 2 gallons a day. For instance, if the temperature is at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you would need 3.7 gallons of heating oil per day. If this temperature persists, a full tank will only be enough for around two and a half months. When the temperature drops to 20 degrees, you will use up to seven gallons a day. Therefore, a full tank will only last for roughly a month if the temperature stays the same.
The winter season generally means that the temperature fluctuates between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and averages 30 degrees. The heating oil demand of an average household per day is around 5.3 gallons. Hence, a full tank will last for one month and three weeks during the coldest months.
A 275-gallon tank is typically sufficient for an average household’s heating oil needs. However, you might have a smaller tank installed in your home, so you need to estimate your fuel use. This way, you’ll know when your next oil delivery will be.
Estimate Your Heating Oil Needs As Per Your Home’s Historical Statistics
You can use your past heating bills to calculate your average consumption. However, this is only possible if you have been residing in the same home for several years. Keep track of your home’s annual fuel consumption. This will help you determine how much oil your household uses on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis.
If you recently moved to a new neighborhood, you can try checking the houses nearby. Find a similarly-sized one to your home and ask the neighbors how much oil they consume in a day. This will give you a rough estimate of the fuel consumption you’ll need per day. Another option is to consult the local heating oil supplier to get an estimate.
Average Heating Oil Usage Based On Square Footage
How big or small your house will affect its average heating oil usage. US homes have an average size of 2,687 square feet and your home could be smaller or larger than the average sized home.
Bear in mind that every 1,000 square feet of space need the following estimations in comparison with the temperature outside:
- 10 degrees Fahrenheit: 3.27 gallons
- 20 degrees Fahrenheit: 2.67 gallons
- 30 degrees Fahrenheit: 2.07 gallons
- 40 degrees Fahrenheit: 1.47 gallons
- 50 degrees Fahrenheit: 0.87 gallons
If your home has a size of 3,500 square feet, the average requirements above need to be multiplied 3.5 times. For instance, if the temperature is 30 degrees Fahrenheit outside, you’ll need 7.25 gallons of heating oil.
Heating Oil For Water Heaters
Water heaters can be powered by natural gas, electricity, propane, and heating oil. If both your water heater and heating system use heating oil, you need to make adjustments to your calculation. Water heaters need around 0.5 to 1.0 gallons of heating oil daily. This estimate relies on the size of your home and how many occupants shower every day.
Final Word
Determining how much your daily heating oil needs can be based on your home’s size, temperature, and historical statistics. However, if you recently moved to a new neighborhood, you can consult the local heating oil supplier to get an educated estimate.
Call R.F. Ohl for Solutions to Ensuring Comfort in Your Home
If you need to have heating oil delivered to your house, call R.F. Ohl. Our prices for quality discounted heating oil are the best. We also offer efficient heating solutions for your family and home.
The expert technicians on our team are equipped to handle any HVAC repair or maintenance. Contact us to hear about our various services. We can assist by answering your questions and concerns. For more information about our efficient HVAC services or oil deliveries, call R.F. Ohl today!
Call us today to learn more. Click here or call us at (610) 377-1098 to contact us today!
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