How To: Read Your Oil Tank Gauge
Reading the gauge on your heating oil tank is a simple but important task that can help you avoid running out of oil and ensure that your home stays warm and comfortable throughout the heating season.
If you have a heating oil tank for your home, it's important to know how to read the gauge so you can monitor your heating oil levels and order a refill before you run out. Here are the basic steps for reading the gauge on your heating oil tank:
- Locate the gauge: The gauge is usually located on the top of the oil tank, and is a clear plastic or glass tube with markings that indicate the oil level.
- Check the markings: The gauge will have markings that indicate the amount of oil in the tank, usually in increments of 1/4 or 1/8. Read the gauge from top to bottom to determine how much oil is in the tank. It is a general rule of thumb to go by the bottom of the bobber when determining the fuel level. You can use the chart below to understand what the gauge markings equal to.
- Order a refill: If the gauge indicates that you have less than 1/4 tank of oil left, it's time to order a refill. Contact us to schedule a delivery and avoid running out of oil.
- Consider Automatic Delivery: By enrolling in Automatic Delivery, you can completely eliminate the daunting task of having to check your tank gauge and order fuel.
Chart
The standard residential heating oil tank size is 275 gallons, with the capacity to fill the tank to a maximum of 250 gallons.
| Current Gauge Level | Current Gallons in Tank | Gallons Needed to Fill |
| Empty | 0 | 250 |
| 1/8 | 31 | 218 |
| 1/4 | 62 | 187 |
| 3/8 | 93 | 156 |
| 1/2 | 125 | 125 |
| 5/8 | 156 | 93 |
| 3/4 | 187 | 62 |
| 7/8 | 218 | 31 |
| Full | 250 | 0 |
Calculator
You can also use our Gallon Calculator to determine how many gallons you currently have and how many gallons you need.
How To Order
You can easily request a fuel delivery online, or you can call our office directly at 207-571-4231!