The old saying ‘failing to prepare means preparing to fail’ rings true when it comes to managing your heating oil supply over the winter months. Thinking ahead and considering what winter heating oil requirements you will have before the start of the cold weather is crucial. Failing to plan ahead could mean that you are left without heating till a delivery is made to you should you run out of heating oil completely.
Below are the 7 most common reasons for accidentally running dry of heating oil or requiring an emergency call out by one of our OFTEC boiler Engineers.
Failing to monitor the level of heating oil in your storage tank
Not knowing how much heating oil is in your storage tank is one of the biggest reasons for running dry and requiring an urgent delivery. Monitoring oil levels is important throughout the year but especially during the winter, when delivery schedules will be at their busiest. Regularly checking your oil level is important if you are part of a top-up scheme too, as unexpected changes to the weather or your household could mean you are using more or less heating oil than anticipated.
It is advisable not to let the level of heating oil in your storage tank fall below 12inches from the bottom. We recommend placing an order for heating oil when you reach the final ¼ of your tank, as this should allow sufficient time for a delivery to be made to you during the busy winter months. It is good practice to check your oil level once a week during Autumn and Winter.
Read more about why monitoring your heating oil level is important and how to do so.
Not getting your oil or gas boiler serviced yearly
During the cold weather in winter and autumn your boiler will be working its hardest, failing to ensure it is working safely and efficiently before the winter weather starts could mean you are left without heating and hot water when you’ll rely on it the most.
It is recommended that you service your oil or gas boiler at least once every 12 months. An annual service reduces the chances of an unexpected breakdown and will detect any problems before they lead to a complete failure of the boiler.
Autumn and winter are the busiest times for our boiler Engineers, it is essential that you plan ahead and book your service in plenty of time. If you have a maintenance contract with Gleaner, a member of our team will contact you to arrange your annual service when it is due.
Find out more about the importance of boiler maintenance in winter here
Ordering winter heating oil at the last minute
Delivery schedules will be at their busiest between October and December with a rush expected leading up to the Christmas and New Year period. Not placing your winter heating oil order in plenty of time could mean that you miss the window for delivery before the festive period.
Delivery times are expected to increase during the winter months to cope with the increase in heating oil orders, therefore we always encourage customers to take a fill of their tank as early as possible so long as they can afford to do so. The earlier you order your winter heating oil the more likely you are to pay a cheaper price as demand is likely to be at its highest between October – December. Thinking ahead to your winter heating oil needs during autumn will also mean you are prepared should the bad weather start earlier than anticipated, meaning you are less likely to run dry.
Not considering delivery access in bad weather
A sudden onset of heavy snow or icy weather can affect the ability of our drivers to make a delivery to you, particularly if you live in a rural location. It pays to be mindful of the changing weather when considering when to place your winter heating oil order. Ordering before the start of the bad weather and ensuring you have plenty of oil to see you through until a delivery can be made in bad weather, would always be advisable.
Although our experienced drivers and operations teams endeavour to make timely deliveries to customers, particularly those running low on oil, safety is always our number one priority. With our 6-wheel tankers weighing up to 26 tonnes, our drivers could deem a delivery too dangerous to undertake in adverse weather. If you are expecting a delivery our advice would be to keep access points as clear as possible, and your delivery depot updated with the current conditions.
Not considering how your oil consumption will change over the festive period
The Christmas and New Year period is a time to get together with friends and family to celebrate, however changes to your household, such as additional guests, could mean that you are using more heating oil to heat your home than you had anticipated.
It is important to plan ahead and ensure that you have enough heating oil in your storage tank to see you through the festive period when our delivery depots will be closed. Regular monitoring of your oil level and remembering to order in plenty to time to allow for a delivery during our busy period, will reduce your chances of running dry.
Failing to ensure your oil storage tank is safe for use
The health and condition of your fuel storage tank can often be overlooked when it comes preparing for the winter months. A well maintained tank will be less likely to suffer an accidental spill and should remain usable for between 10-15 years.
It is good practice to inspect your oil storage tank at least once a month and have an OFTEC engineer look at it annually usually at the same time as your boiler service. Look for any signs of change or damage to the tank such as cracks, splits, bulges, whitening or vegetation die-back. Should you require a boiler service or tank inspection contact our boiler maintenance department on 01343 557 435.
You should also consider what protection your outdoor plastic oil storage tank will require. Strong winds, broken or low-hanging branches all have the potential to cause damage to the tank which may lead to a spill of the oil contents. During the winter weather you should also be vigilant for falling snow and icicles. Should you notice any of these dangers they should be rectified quickly to prevent damage to your oil tank.
Learn how to inspect your oil storage tank for signs of damage here or read our top-tips for maintaining your oil storage tank.
Forgetting to budget for your winter heating oil
The final common mistake made by many heating oil users is forgetting to budget for their increased oil usage during the colder months. The winter season can be expensive with the lead up to Christmas, an unexpected oil bill would be unwelcome and could in some instances cause financial strain.
Thinking ahead to your winter oil needs in the autumn or earlier in the year would mean that you have time to budget for your increased oil consumption during the colder weather. Joining a budget payment plan or setting up a monthly direct debit would help to prevent an unexpected oil bill.
If you think you might struggle to pay for your winter heating oil order, we recommend talking to our finance department who would be able to discuss the options available to you.
Find out more information about paying for your winter heating oil.
