Get Answers to Common Questions
Heating Oil FAQs
General Heating Oil FAQs
What Is Heating Oil?
Heating oil is a fuel used to heat homes through oil-fired furnaces or boilers. It is stored in a tank on the property and delivered as needed to help keep your home warm.
How Does Heating Oil Heat My Home?
Heating oil is delivered from your tank to your heating system, where it is burned to create heat. That heat is then distributed through your home using warm air, hot water, or steam, depending on your system.
Is Heating Oil A Reliable Home Heating Option?
Yes. Heating oil is a dependable option for many homeowners, especially in colder climates. With proper delivery service, system maintenance, and tank care, it can provide consistent comfort throughout the heating season.
What Are The Benefits Of Heating Oil?
Heating oil provides strong heating performance, dependable comfort, and flexible delivery options. Many homeowners also appreciate having their fuel stored on-site, which gives them more control over their home heating supply.
How Long Does Heating Oil Last In A Tank?
How long heating oil lasts depends on your oil tank size, home size, thermostat settings, weather, insulation, and heating system efficiency. If you are unsure, Fawcett Energy can help you better understand your usage patterns.
Is Heating Oil Safe To Use At Home?
Heating oil is commonly used in homes and is safe when stored properly and used with well-maintained equipment. Regular system service and tank inspections can help support safer, more reliable operation.
How Can I Use Less Heating Oil?
You can reduce heating oil usage by scheduling routine maintenance, replacing dirty filters, sealing drafts, improving insulation, and using a programmable thermostat. Small efficiency improvements can help your system work less during heating season.
Why Choose Heating Oil?
Heating oil remains a smart choice for many homeowners who want strong comfort, dependable heat, and more control over their energy supply. While natural gas may be common in some areas, heating oil offers several advantages that make it a practical option for homes across New England.
One of the biggest benefits is safety. Heating oil is a stable fuel that does not ignite in its liquid state under normal conditions. It must be heated and vaporized by your heating system before it can produce heat, which helps make it a safe and dependable fuel for residential use.
Heating oil has also become cleaner over time. With modern Bioheat® fuel blends, homeowners can benefit from heating oil that includes renewable biodiesel, helping reduce environmental impact while still delivering reliable home comfort.
Heating oil also gives homeowners more energy independence. Because your fuel is stored on-site in your own tank, you are not fully dependent on underground utility lines. With automatic delivery, tank monitoring, and budget plan options, heating oil can be safe, reliable, and easier to manage than many homeowners expect.
Heating Oil Delivery FAQs
How Does Heating Oil Delivery Work?
Heating oil delivery is available through will-call or automatic delivery, depending on how you prefer to manage your fuel. With will-call, you monitor your tank and request delivery when you need oil. With automatic delivery, Fawcett Energy helps estimate your usage and schedule deliveries for you. Payment options may vary by account, so the team can help you choose the setup that works best for your home.
What Happens If I Run Out Of Heating Oil?
If you run out of oil, your heating system may need to be restarted after fuel is delivered. Contact Fawcett Energy right away so the team can explain the next steps and help restore service.
How Can I Help Make My Delivery Easier?
Keep the path to your fill pipe, including the area around it, clear. Please remove snow or ice when needed, secure pets, and make sure your house number is visible. These small steps help drivers complete deliveries safely and efficiently.
Additionally, to help us serve you safely and efficiently, please follow these delivery and safety guidelines:
- Clear Your Driveway
Ensure it’s salted and cleared to at least 10 feet wide so our trucks can access your property without issues. - Mark Your Fill Pipe
Create a clear path to your oil fill pipe to ensure easy delivery. - Clear and Salt Walkways
Keep walkways free of ice and snow to protect our drivers and technicians.
What Is Automatic Heating Oil Delivery?
Automatic delivery helps take the guesswork out of ordering oil. Instead of checking your tank and placing each order yourself, Fawcett Energy estimates when you may need fuel and schedules deliveries accordingly.
Automatic Delivery customers are generally scheduled when their tank reaches approximately one-quarter full.
How Our Degree Day / K-Factor System Works:
- When outdoor temperatures are above 65°F, customers generally are not burning heating oil.
- If the hot water is heated by oil, we generally calculate a gallon per day for that.
- Once temperatures fall below that level, we begin calculating fuel usage using degree days and historical consumption patterns.
- It typically takes approximately three deliveries to establish an accurate burn rate (K-factor).
What Is Will-Call Heating Oil Delivery?
Will-call delivery allows you to monitor your own tank level and contact Fawcett Energy when you need more fuel. This option gives you more control over when you order, but it is important to check your tank regularly, especially during colder weather.
Note: Standard will-call deliveries typically require 3 to 5 business days. Customers who need fuel sooner should contact the office directly to discuss available delivery options.
Which Heating Oil Delivery Option Is Right For My Home?
The best option depends on how hands-on you want to be. Automatic oil delivery is ideal if you want convenience and fewer reminders. Will-call delivery may be a better fit if you prefer to manage your own tank level and schedule deliveries as needed.
Does Fawcett Energy Offer Heating Oil Payment Options?
Yes. Fawcett Energy offers payment options designed to help make heating oil service easier to manage. Our team can walk you through available options so you can choose an approach that works for your household and budget.
How Do I Start Heating Oil Delivery Service?
Getting started is simple. Contact Fawcett Energy to learn more about delivery options, payment choices, and the best way to set up heating oil service for your home.
Heating Oil Tank FAQs
Can Tank Monitoring Help Me Track My Fuel Level?
Yes. Tank monitoring can help provide better visibility into your fuel levels between deliveries, making it easier to stay informed and reduce guesswork.
How Long Does An Oil Tank Replacement Take?
Many standard oil tank replacements can be completed in one day, depending on the tank location, access, tank size, and whether additional work is needed. Fawcett Energy can review your setup and explain the expected timeline before the replacement begins.
How Do I Read My Heating Oil Tank Gauge?
Most heating oil tank gauges show fuel levels in fractions, such as full, 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4. If your tank is about 1/3-1/4 full, it is a good time to plan your next delivery.
When Should I Replace My Heating Oil Tank?
You may need to replace your tank if it is aging, rusting, leaking, showing stains, has unstable legs, or causes concern during delivery or service. A professional can help you decide the right next step.
How Much Oil Does My Tank Hold?
Many home heating oil tanks are 275 gallons, but tank sizes can vary based on the home, heating system, and available space.
It is also important to know that a 275-gallon oil tank does not hold 275 gallons of usable fuel. Most tanks hold about 220 to 245 gallons of oil because space must remain inside the tank for proper operation, fuel expansion, and airflow.
What Size Heating Oil Tank Do I Need?
The right tank size depends on your home, heating usage, available space, and fuel delivery needs. Fawcett Energy can help you understand which tank option may be right for your setup.
How Long Do Heating Oil Tanks Last?
Tank lifespan depends on the tank type, location, moisture exposure, maintenance, and overall condition. If your tank is older or you are unsure of its age, it may be time to ask about replacement.
What Is A Double-Wall Oil Tank?
A double-wall oil tank has an inner tank and an outer containment layer. This design can provide added protection and help reduce concerns about leaks.
No Heat Troubleshooting FAQs
What Should I Do If I Have No Heat?
Reset Button:
If your heating system stops working, you may press the reset button one time only. If the system does not restart, call Fawcett Energy right away so our team can help.
Do not press the reset button repeatedly. Pushing it more than once can cause extra fuel to build up in the system, create additional problems, and potentially lead to unnecessary service charges. When in doubt, call us before trying again.
Other aspects that you can check include:
- Emergency switch
- Tripped breaker
- Filter (forced air systems)
- Tank levels
- Thermostat setting
If none of the above seems to be the issue, contact us right away to schedule an appointment.
Why Did My Heating System Stop Working?
A heating system can stop working for several reasons, including low fuel, thermostat settings, a tripped breaker, an emergency switch being turned off, or an equipment issue. If you are not sure what is causing the problem, Fawcett Energy can help you take the right next step.
What If My Heat Comes On But Then Shuts Off Again?
If your system starts and then shuts off again, do not keep pressing the reset button. This may be a sign that the system needs service. Contact Fawcett Energy so a technician can help diagnose the issue.
When Should I Call For Heating Service?
Call for service if your system will not start, keeps shutting off, makes unusual noises, produces uneven heat, smells unusual, or needs frequent resets. Getting help early can prevent small issues from turning into bigger repairs.
What Should I Do If My Oil Burner Makes Strange Noises?
Unusual banging, rumbling, grinding, or whistling sounds should not be ignored. If you are concerned, turn the system off and contact Fawcett Energy so a technician can inspect the equipment.