Heating oil tanks are meant to last a long time, but not forever. If you are looking to replace your current tank due to old age or a leak, you may be wondering if you should go with a different size. The first step is to determine what size tank best fits your needs.
Before you start shopping, make sure you know the size of your current tank. If it’s newer it should have a nameplate on it with the capacity listed. If it doesn’t, you should be able to determine the size based on height, width, and depth. For example, if your measurements are 27 inches high by 44 inches wide by 60 inches deep, then your tank’s capacity will be 275 gallons — the standard household size.
Here are some other factors to take into consideration:
- A typical home heating oil tank is 275 gallons and can be either vertical or horizontal. Some other common sizes include 288, 340, 420, 500, 550, 675, and 1000 gallons – this is for above ground.
- The industry standard is that a 275 gallon tank is used on one to two bedroom homes while a 300 to 500 gallon tank is used for three to four bedroom homes. This is just a suggestion as other factors can affect the size as well.
- Consider the physical space you have for the tank and make sure you leave room for installation. Make sure you measure the space before you start shopping.
- Your lifestyle will also effect what size tank you choose. Are you very eco-conscious and try to use less oil, are you gone for large stretches of time, do you have really young or old people in the house who need warmer temperatures? All these factors affect the size tank you’ll want to get.
- If you live in New England, you know we have unpredictable weather. You’ll want to make sure that your tank is big enough for everyday use plus some leeway in case of a bad weather emergency that would limit your supplier being able to come out. You don’t want to have to fill your tank every few weeks and then run out if a huge blizzard comes in.
Choosing the right size heating oil tank for your home just requires a bit of critical thinking and planning, so you make the right decision the first time. Once you’ve thought about your family’s heating oil consumption needs, you’ll have a better idea of the right size for you. This will help when you contact a certified heating oil tank provider and installer. These professionals will assist you in purchasing the right size for you, and they’ll handle the installation process too. Need help – give us a call!
