An increasing number of homeowners prefer heating oil over other fuels because it’s safer, economical, and more convenient for warming a home. In fact, up to six million households schedule oil delivery on a regular basis. Heating oil burns faster and at a much higher temperature than natural gas, so you won’t have to wait as long for your system to produce heat. To keep your home warm, your oil furnace pump feeds fuel from the tank to the burner and ignites it in the combustion chamber. But what if your tank runs out of oil? How do you know when it’s time to call for an oil delivery?

At What Point Should You Call for Oil Delivery?

There are several ways to test a furnace and check if you need a refill. The general rule is to keep your tank no less than a quarter of the way full. Know where your oil tank gauge is located, as it will show how much fuel is left in the tank. It looks similar to a vehicle gas gauge with marks from empty to full. When the gauge reads a little above one-fourth, call for an oil delivery. If the gauge reaches empty before fuel is delivered, your furnace will need to be primed, which will cost an additional service fee. 

What Should You Do If You Run Out of Oil?

If you’ve run out of oil, all you can do is reorder it as soon as possible and wait for a technician to restart or manually bleed your furnace. This is required to restart the heating process. While modern furnaces have ignition buttons for an easy restart, older furnaces require manual bleeding, which can only be performed by heating experts. Oil deliveries can take time during winter due to high demand, so try to follow a regular schedule. Remember the one-fourth rule to determine when its time for a refill.

Keep your home comfortable year-round with the help of one of the leading heating oil companies in Rochester, NY. State Fuel Company can provide prompt kerosene, diesel, or heating oil delivery to both residential and commercial areas. They also offer furnace repairs and cleaning. Call (585) 247-2380 or visit their website for more information.