Whether you are new to purchasing heating oil or are unsure what the right amount to order at any one time is, then you are not alone. One of the most important and frequently asked questions we receive is ‘how much oil do I need?’ Running out of oil can not only be an inconvenience to you and your loved ones, but it can become expensive to acquire oil during a period of high demand or on an emergency delivery. Numerous factors also affect how much heating oil is required to meet your usage requirements.
How much heating oil does the average home use in a year?
This is a difficult question to answer, because how much heating oil you use depends specifically on your house, how you use energy, and the condition of your boiler and overall heating system. There are a great number of factors that go into calculating how much energy you use. Here are some of the big ones:
- The size and age of your house
- The heating requirements for your household
- The insulation quality of your home
- How long the heating is on and in which rooms
- The quality of your fuel
- The efficiency of your boiler
- The condition of your tank
While these factors make it very difficult to give a specific number, it is possible to offer some averages to give you a guide.
Based on an average heating energy consumption a UK household uses around 21,000 kWh of energy per year. This translates into approximately 2,000 litres of heating oil, as the amount of heating energy in one litre of kerosene is 10.35 kilowatt hours (kWh).
The typical domestic heating oil tank ranges from 1,000 to 2,500 litres and average order patterns tend to be around 3 or 4 times per year to ensure that you have enough heating oil throughout the year.
It is worth noting that this is just an average that can be used as a guide. As we mentioned above, there is no way to give an exact quantity due to the specific circumstances of your home and how you use energy. We have some tips that can help you to get more of a sense of how much heating oil you need:
- If you are moving into a property that uses heating oil for the first time, ask the current owner/occupier how much and how frequently they order.
- Ask your neighbours. The likelihood is that they will be using heating oil for their property too.
How many litres of heating oil do I use per day?
There is no exact figure here as the same factors as above apply here.
Based on the average of 2,000 litres per annum divided by 365 days in the year. The figure on average is about 5.5 litres per day.
This assumes that each day of usage will be the same, but seasonality is a significant factor here. You are much less likely to have the heating on all day in the middle of August than you are in the middle of December, so it is more likely that your heating oil use will be lower during the summer, and higher during the winter months.
The easiest way to know how much oil you are using is with a dedicated oil monitor for your tank.
When you join our Priority Club, we provide you with a state-of-the-art OilFox smart monitor (worth over £120) that provides daily readings and allows you to monitor your oil usage from your phone. We will also come and top up your tank whenever it falls below a certain level. Now you will never run out again.
What is the average cost of heating oil?
The cost of heating oil changes daily and there are many factors that impact heating oil prices. These include:
- Crude oil prices
- Increase in demand
- Volatility in oil-producing territories
- Weather events
- Tax and duty rate changes
The price of home heating oil, therefore, varies daily which is why our online heating oil quote tool is updated every day to reflect changes in the market.
Our Direct Debit Plan and Priority Club can help you to spread your fuel costs into more manageable monthly payments and avoid large lump sum payments, giving you greater control.
How do I ensure I never run out?
For a hassle-free way to monitor your oil usage and receive top-ups automatically, join our Priority Club.
The OilFox smart monitor checks your oil level constantly and displays that data in the OilFox app. Now you can check on your tank level anywhere, at any time, from any device.
The smart monitor will also automatically notify our depot when your tank falls below a certain level – we will route an order to top you up so you never need to worry about running out.
If you have any further questions about home heating oil, please don’t hesitate to contact us – our experts will be more than happy to help!
Contact Us Now
Our experts are here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring a seamless ordering process. Embrace the convenience of NWF Fuels, your trusted fuel supplier. Say goodbye to wasted oil and hello to cost-effective efficiency. It’s time to take control of your heating needs and invest in a comfortable home. Don’t delay – start planning today!
Get in touch with our team by calling 01829700120 and get a free quote here.