What Size Heating Oil Tank Do I Need

If your heating oil tank is more than 15 years old, the time to replace it could be drawing near – especially if you own a single-walled steel model (if you’re not sure what kind of tank you own, just ask).

When you’re shopping for a new heating oil tank, one of the big questions you’ll have to answer is what size to buy. Let’s take a look at how to solve that riddle.

Oil Tank Sizing Basics

• Although they come in a range of capacities, the most common residential heating oil tank size is 275 gallons. Some other common above-ground tank sizes include 330 gallon (common for larger homes) and 500 gallon (underground tanks can be 1,000 gallons or larger). The capacity of your tank is usually listed on its nameplate.
• Remember that the nameplate capacity of your tank doesn’t represent he number of gallons of fuel that it will actually hold; some allowance must be made for debris in the tank. A 275-gallon tank will typically only hold about 235 gallons of heating oil.
• An industry rule-of-thumb is that most one or two-bedroom homes of about 2,500 square feet or less need no more than a 275-gallon heating oil tank; larger three- or four-bedroom homes can accommodate a 330 or 500-gallon tank.
• Some other sizing factors to consider when shopping for a heating oil tank replacement include:
  • Physical space: The space allotted for your tank may limit the size tank you can accommodate; be sure to measure your space before you shop for a replacement.
  • Family planning: As your family grows, so does your energy consumption. If your family is growing, take that into account when choosing a tank size.
  • Lifestyle references: Is your family eco-conscious? Do you spend long stretches at a second or vacation home? Do you have people under your roof that prefer a warmer house? All of these factors affect the amount of heating oil you need – and how big a tank your tank should be.

Once you’ve thought about these sizing factors, you’ll have a better idea where to begin your search for a heating oil tank upgrade. From there, you can move on to other considerations, including tank construction materials, oil tank brands and their warranties, proper tank placement, and more. For guidance on choosing the right oil tank for your home and needs, contact the pros at Scott Williams.

For expert oil tank installations in Boston’s South Shore, trust the pros at Scott Williams. Contact us today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on heating oil tank installations in southern MA!