How Long Will Heating Oil Last in the Winter?

January 30, 2025

At PayLessforOil.com, we make a concerted effort to be sure that our customers are never left in the dark with unanswered questions about their oil usage. Oil is a great fuel for home heating in Western Massachusetts and Northen Connecticut. It’s affordable and efficient and with new biodiesel, it’s evolving into a lower-carbon and more environmentally friendly version of itself. But how often do you have to order fuel? Well, that’s what we’re here to answer.

Factors That Affect Your Oil Usage

While there is no definitive answer to how long your heating oil will last, there are factors that will affect how quickly you use a tank of oil.

Your Home Heating Preference: The setting at which you keep your thermostat will determine how hard your heating system has to work and thus how much oil it consumes. The lower your thermostat, the less oil you will use for heating.
The Number of People in Your Home: When there are additional people in your home, you will burn through more oil than fewer people would need.
The Temperature Outside: The colder it is outside, the longer your heating system has to work to keep your home warm. With cold snaps, you’ll burn more oil than usual.
The Size of Your Tank: The smaller your tank, the more refills you’ll notice are needed compared to having a larger tank.

Check Your Tank Gauge Often

It’s a good idea to check your fuel levels routinely so that it becomes a habit. Take weather into account when planning your deliveries, too; if bad weather is on the way, please be sure to place your order in enough time to get a refill.

Get in Touch with PayLessforOil.com

These four factors will affect how quickly you go through a tank of oil, but there are things you can do to lower your energy usage, such as installing a programmable thermostat to take more control over your heating, insulating your windows with caulking and curtains to keep the heat in, and installing weather stripping around doors to prevent drafts. Our priority is your comfort and budget. If you have any questions about your home heating oil usage, or if you’re ready for your first or next delivery, order conveniently online.