An empty car tank could end up stopping you in the middle of nowhere. An empty oil tank on the other hand, could leave you stranded in the middle of your cooking, washing or even that relaxing hot bath you look forward to, at the end of a hectic day. Keeping your oil tank stocked is requisite to keeping your home warm and functioning without inconveniences. If you have recently installed an oil heater and need a few friendly directions to know how to measure its oil level, this blog will prove useful. In fact, it will also show you a great way to skip the process of checking your tank’s oil level altogether, for good. Read on to know more.
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Know where your tank is
The first step to checking the oil level in your high-efficiency oil boiler begins with finding your way to the tank. Oil burner service companies typically place oil tanks either in the basement of a home or externally, towards the rear or alongside the property. Check if your tank is above or below ground.
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Check if your Oil Tank Gauge is working
The reading on your tank gauge will matter only if your tank gauge is in proper working condition. Here’s a simple test to find out. Oil gauges are cylindrical in shape and have a float inside. You will find the gauge at the top of your oil tank – that’s where all tank gauges are placed to make the reading a convenient experience. Remove the outer case of your tank and when you see the float, proceed to press it downward. If it rises back to its original position, your gauge is functioning properly. If it fails to retain its original position, you will need to get a professional inspection of your oil burner fuel filter and other components by a qualified oil heater service contractor.
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Read the gauge
As with a measuring jar, your oil tank too comes with markings to help you understand the oil level at any point in time. The standard markings on any oil tank would include the following: F – full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and E – empty. You may wonder whether to use the top of the float or its bottom – as the basis to take your reading. It’s advisable to use the top of the float, as this will give you a more accurate reading. The next best way is to see where the middle of the float is positioned along the scale of markings. You can also approach your local oil heater service or oil burner service company to get the job done without any uncertainty.
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Check the gallons left
You can use your oil tank’s fuel gauge to know the fuel level but not the exact volume in terms of gallons. Here, a little math will come to your rescue. Divide the total fuel capacity of your tank by the float’s current reading. For instance, if your tank’s holding capacity is 240 gallons and your float gauge gives you a reading of 1/4, then the volume of oil left in your tank will be 240/0.25=60 gallons.
Manage your oil level without checking the tank gauge
While the steps outlined above will help you keep track of the oil level in your tank at any point in time, we’d like to recommend a simpler way to get the job done. It’s called Automatic Delivery – a service where you leave it to the experts at Boyle Energy to determine your average oil consumption and then refill your tank at just the right time. You will experience all the comforts of an oil tank that never runs empty without ever turning to look at your oil tank gauge. If you’d like to know more about this service, call us at 610 595 4696 or 215 709 9196. It’s your first step to maintaining both your oil level and peace of mind, automatically.
Patrick Boyle brings over three decades of expertise to Boyle Energy, carrying forward a family legacy that began with his grandfather, Joseph Boyle Sr., the company’s founder. With extensive technical proficiency, Patrick holds advanced certifications in both oil and HVAC systems, ensuring the highest standards of service and performance. Additionally, he is recognized as an NPGA-certified propane service professional, underscoring his commitment to safety and industry best practices. Under his leadership, Boyle Energy continues to deliver reliable and efficient energy solutions, grounded in generations of trust and innovation.