Heating oil usage becomes much more important for Massachusetts residents as it starts to get colder in the fall. Using too much heating oil can get expensive fast so knowing the factors that affect oil usage can make a big difference. Oil is great for home heating because it’s efficient and affordable, but frequent oil tank refills will increase your monthly bill so it’s important to have a handle on what affects home heating oil usage most.
Factors That Affect Home Oil Usage
It’s important to know how long a full tank of heating oil will last, but there’s no definitive answer. There are a number of factors that will affect how quickly you use a full tank of oil.
Heating Preferences
Your heating oil usage is directly related to your thermostat settings. The higher you keep your thermostat, the more heating oil you will use.
Heating System Efficiency
Old furnaces or boilers are often less efficient and require more oil to heat your home as a more modern system. New oil tanks from Supreme Energy come with a manufacturers warranty and you can choose between a double-walled or traditional steel tank.
Number of Rooms Being Heated
More rooms will require more heating oil to keep them warm. Less oil is needed if your home heating system is being used in a smaller space with fewer rooms.
Size of Tank
Smaller tanks will require refills more often than large oil tanks. It might be worth considering a heating system upgrade if you find yourself needing to get refills more often than you’d like.
Outside Temperature
Your heating system will need to work harder and burn more fuel in colder weather. Long cold snaps will result in higher heating oil usage than normal so it’s important to check tank levels and make sure you’re prepared.
Ways to Lower Energy Usage
The four factors mentioned above directly influence heating oil usage but there are ways you can lower it. Installing Wi-fi Thermostats can give you more flexibility with how warm you keep your home with smart scheduling and other programming features. Looking into ways to improve insulation and prevent drafts can also help.
At Supreme Energy, we’re committed to keeping your home warm. Contact us if you have any questions about home heating oil usage or new furnace installation.
