Heating Oil Tanks

Frequently Asked Questions

This month marks the beginning of winter. However, chances are you’ve already turned up the thermostat in your North Shore area home to get comfortable. And you’ll find yourself relying even more on your heating system to keep you warm and comfortable all winter long. However, keeping your home warm enough isn’t just about comfort, it’s also about health and safety. Having no heat on an extremely cold day is dangerous and could lead to expensive problems like frozen or burst pipes.

Especially this season, it’s important to know at least the basics about your heating oil system and keep an eye on your heating oil tank. So Lombardi Oil & Gas is here to answer some frequently asked questions about heating oil tanks.

What Are Common Heating Oil Tank Sizes?

Heating Oil tanks come in a variety of sizes. Which is right for your home will depend on your family’s needs and your budget. Here’s an overview of the most common residential heating oil tank sizes:

• 110 gallons (29 x 28 x 44 inches)
• 165 gallons (29 x 28 x 61 inches)
• 275 gallons (43 x 28 x 61 inches and 51 x 30 x 54 inches)
• 400 gallons (64 x 30 x 68 inches)

Is It Okay to Have an Empty Tank?

You never want to let your heating oil tank get close to empty. When that happens, debris can clog your oil filters. That can reduce the efficiency of your heating system or cause it to fail. So by keeping enough oil in your tank, you can avoid some very costly problems as well as a no-heat emergency.

How Do You Read Your Oil Tank Gauge?

Especially if you haven’t signed up for Lombardi Energy’s Automatic Delivery service, keeping an eye on your heating oil level is very important. And you’ll need to check your gauge with more frequency as it gets colder, because your heating system will be using more and more heating oil to keep you and your family warm.

Here’s how to check your heating oil gauge:

1. Look for a clear glass or plastic cylinder near the top of the tank. It should look like your car’s fuel gauge with the following symbols: F, ¾, ½, and ¼. There should be a red marker or float indicating the tank’s fuel level. If it’s not visible, you tank is either empty or almost empty.
2. Make sure the gauge is working properly. Remove the outer case and gently press down on the float. It should bob back up to where it was. If it doesn’t, the gauge isn’t working properly, and you should call for service.
3. When your gauge gets close to ¼, it’s time to order more fuel. The colder it gets and the larger your home is, the faster your heating system will go through oil and the sooner you should order more.

What Brand of Heating Oil Tank Is Best?

At Lombardi Energy, we recommend Roth heating oil tanks. And we’re here to help you decide which tank is best for you. The compact tanks we sell offer the following characteristics:

• They’re double walled for maximum leak protection.
• They’re easy to handle and transport, with wide handles.
• They have a removable base.
• They’re up to 50% lighter than their conventional counterparts.
• They have double ring caps that eliminate odor during fill-ups.
• They feature a unique expansion system. This allows for easier fill-ups.
• They are tested with incredibly high standards.
• They’re specially lined to remain rust-free.

Additionally, all of the tanks we sell are kid-safe, have a 30-year warranty, and come with a cover for outside use. These durable tanks are constructed to be corrosion resistant and leakproof.

Let Lombardi Energy Services Deliver for You!

Lombardi Energy Services delivers comfort and peace of mind to our customers in Amesbury, Byfield, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, Seabrook, West Newbury, and surrounding areas. Whether you need reliable and convenient heating oil delivery or a new heating oil tank, we’re here for you.

Contact Lombardi Energy Services today to learn more about heating oil tanks or to request a free consultation.