What Size Heating Oil Tank Do I Need?

If you’re heating oil storage tank is more than 15 years old, it could be time to think about a replacement – especially if you have a single-walled steel tank (if you’re not sure what you have, give us a call – we’ll take a look).

But how large a heating oil tank will you need? Is your current tank properly matched to your home’s heating load and needs? Let’s take a look.

Oil Storage Tank Sizing Basics

• A typical residential heating oil tank size is 275 gallons and comes in either a vertical (275V) or horizontal (275H) orientation. Heating oil tanks may also come in different sizes depending on whether they’ll be installed above or below ground. Some other common above-ground tank sizes include 330 gallon (common for larger homes) and 500 gallon; underground tanks can be 1,000 gallons or larger.
• Remember that the nameplate capacity of your tank (the number of gallons it says on the side of the tank) doesn’t represent he number of gallons of fuel that it will actually hold; some allowance must be made for debris in the tank. A 275-gallon tank will typically only hold about 235 gallons of heating oil.
• An industry rule-of-thumb is that one or two-bedroom homes most often need a 275-gallon heating oil tank; larger three- or four-bedroom homes often need a 330 or 500-gallon tank.
• Other sizing factors to consider when shopping for a heating oil tank replacement include:
  • Physical space: Some homes can’t fit larger heating oil tanks; be sure to measure your space before you start to shop for your tank.
  • Family planning: As your family grows, so does your energy consumption; better to plan for this in advance if you can.
  • Lifestyle references: Is your family eco-conscious? Do you spend long stretches away from home? Do you have elderly people under your roof that prefer a warmer house? All of these factors affect the amount of heating oil you need – and how big a tank your tank should be.

Once you’ve thought about these sizing factors, you’ll have a better idea where to begin your search for a heating oil tank upgrade. From there, you can move on to other considerations, including tank construction materials, oil tank brands and their warranties, proper tank placement, and more.

Fill your oil tank with reliable heating oil deliveries in southeastern Massachusetts from the experts at Discount Oil Brokers. Quality heating oil at great prices – that’s how we roll! Contact us today to become a Discount Oil Brokers customer.