If you’ve been shopping around for heating oil, you’ll know that oil prices are really high now! At the time of writing, prices are ranging between $4.89 – $5.31 per gallon in Danbury, CT. This is a massive increase over the past couple of weeks. But some states like Vermont and Massachusetts have seen price increases of up to 10% since just last week! But why exactly is this? Well, I’ll be covering those reasons here!
War with Iran
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ll know that the United States is currently at war with Iran. This has caused crude oil prices to soar! This is due to the war disrupting oil supply chains out of the Strait of Hormuz. The oil supply disruptions are also increasing concerns of long-lasting outages. These outages will most likely increase the price of crude oil even more.
At least 20% of the world’s crude oil comes from the Strait of Hormuz out of the Persian Gulf.
Approximately 20% of the world’s oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed off the Strait, making it harder for oil to get through to the rest of the world. This not only causes global oil prices to increase, but domestic prices as well. When global prices seem to change, domestic prices will shortly follow.
Increased Price per Barrel
At the time of writing, the price per barrel of crude oil is currently sitting at $111.54. This is due to the current volatility of the market, and prices are subject to an increase per barrel. Most crude oil barrels will tend to hold around 44 gallons of oil. Which averages out to about $2.53 per gallon. However, companies still need to make a profit, and how they calculate that is up to them. Prices have increased by roughly 11%-13%, which has affected global oil prices.
Gasoline Prices
Heating Oil Prices aren’t the only prices that are going up due to this. You might’ve noticed prices for Gasoline have increased astronomically as well! Currently in Danbury, prices per gallon are $4.29! Where I live, prices range from $3.89-$4.09 per gallon. Both Gasoline and Heating Oil come from crude oil. Fears of an oil shortage have caused prices to skyrocket for everything that derives from crude oil. This will only cause oil prices to gradually increase.
This is just an example of how expensive gas prices currently are.
How Much Longer?
The president made an announcement this week that the war with Iran will go on for at least another couple of weeks. This is still putting strain on the oil market and making it more and more volatile.
As prices for heating oil and gasoline continue to increase, all we can do is wait for the war to end and the strait to open up once more. This will gradually decrease the price of oil again, and we’ll be back to our normal pricing.
The Smart Oil Gauge is a fantastic tool for keeping track of your heating oil level and usage! One of the most common types of installation for the Smart Oil Gauge is on a Roth tank. While installing it onto a tank that’s a standard steel tank is simple, Roth tank installations have a little bit more to them. These extra steps are crucial for the Smart Oil Gauge to function correctly.
Roth Tank Compatibility
The most important thing to know about Roth Tanks is that the Smart Oil Gauge is compatible with all Roth tanks EXCEPT the Roth 1500L tanks. These tanks are 400-gallon tanks. However, the thing with these tanks is that they have an interior support baffle. This baffle goes across the center of the tank, and when the Smart Oil Gauge sends its signal down to take a reading of the oil in the tank, the gauge’s ultrasonic signal will bounce off this baffle. This results in the Smart Oil Gauge not being able to read beyond a half tank. The baffle itself is used to prevent the tank from collapsing in on itself when it’s full.
These are all the different types of Roth tanks! However, you can there’s a very large on on the right. That’s the Roth 1500L. It’s large size makes the internal baffle a requirement during production.
Now, importantly, on Roth 1000LH tanks, I recommend installing it to one of the centermost fittings. This is because, in rare instances, on Roth 1000LH tanks, there are handle indents on the internal tank. These indents are rare. However, installing the Smart Oil Gauge in the centermost fitting will help the sensor avoid catching the handle indents. If the sensor catches these indents, the gauge might not be able to read beyond 2/3 of the tank.
Roth Adapter
Unlike installations on a standard steel tank, the Smart Oil Gauge requires an adapter for installation. While Roth tanks do have standard 2″ fittings, they tend to be raised about an inch or so. The rubber fitting that comes with the tank itself can’t accommodate the signal that the gauge sends. This will cause the signal to bounce off the sides of the fitting and cause the gauge to read full. You’ll need to get this adapter for the install process.
But most importantly, you must get the correct adapter for your smart oil gauge. We have two different Roth adapters. One is for the standard Smart Oil Gauge, and the other is for the Smart Oil Gauge Duo. If you have the standard model, you’ll want to get the CCF-906. But if you have the Duo, you’ll want to make sure you get the CCF-906DUO.
Installing the Roth Adapter onto the Smart Oil Gauge
The Standard and Duo Smart Oil Gauges also have different ways of being installed into their required adapters. The Standard Smart Oil Gauge simply screws into the threads of the adapter, and the eye should line up with the guide cone to send the proper signal.
These are the instructions for installing the standard gauge. As you can see, it’s very simple.
However, if you look at the Duo instructions below, you’ll see that the instructions are slightly different. Pay close attention to steps 2 & 3. This is because the duo requires the insert/guide cone to be slid into the body of the device. This makes it easier for the Smart Oil Gauge to properly send the signal beyond the raised fitting of the Roth tank. DO NOT install the adapter onto the Duo without sliding the guide cone through the metal body of the device.
As you can see, the Duo gauge has a few more steps before being installed onto the tank.
Installing the Gauge onto the Tank
Now that you understand what size tanks the gauge can be installed onto, you’ll need to be able to install it onto the tank. Firstly, you’ll have to remove the float gauge on the Roth tank. This is because the fittings on Roth tanks are organized in such a way that there won’t be an extra fitting to install the Smart Oil Gauge.
After you’ve removed your float gauge, you’re going to want to remove the rubber fitting of the Roth tank. This is because this rubber fitting doesn’t accommodate the signal our gauge sends. This will result in the gauge reading full all the time if left on. But once you’ve taken that fitting off, you can go ahead and install the gauge onto that fitting! No pipe dope necessary! You can watch a video of the install here.
Enjoy Your Newly Installed Smart Oil Gauge!
Now that the gauge is installed, it’ll take readings of how much oil is in the tank and be able to report back level readings and usage data! The gauge is set up for a 4-hour upload interval by default, so you’ll get a new set of readings every four hours from the time of installation! Otherwise, if you want an immediate reading, you can press the button on the top right of the gauge, and that’ll force the device to take a reading and upload it!
This past winter was definitely a strange one! We’ve had two major snowstorms and even a couple of days where the weather was in the 70s! With the weather like that, it’s definitely been a strange winter for sure. But, with the snow melting and warmer weather around the corner, it’s good to know what awaits in spring! So in this blog, I’ll be going over everything that you need to know to prepare yourself for spring!
Lower Heating Oil Usage
During the springtime, the weather starts to get a bit warmer. This can result in less oil usage overall during this time. The slightly warmer weather typically means reduced need for oil and heat. While you might still turn the heat up a little bit to keep warm, you’re not going to be burning as much oil as you would during the winter. Last spring in Danbury, CT, we averaged 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and by the end of April, the average went up into the 60s.
This is a graph that shows the usage per day on average based on the outside temperature. However, as you can see, the size of the house contributes to it as well.
Using the above chart, you can compare the size of your home with the temperature outside to determine how much oil you’ll burn. If your home is on the larger side, you’ll naturally burn more oil daily. As you can see in the chart, if your home is 4500 square feet and the temperature is 40 degrees outside, you’ll average around 6.7 gallons of oil a day.
Temperature Outside
The most notable thing that happens when it comes to the spring is that the temperature will get warmer. Warm temperatures typically mean a few things. Firstly, it naturally means that the need for heating oil starts to go down. This also brings the price down. This is because the demand for heating oil is going down, causing oil companies to decrease the price to incentivize people into buying while the price is low.
With Spring around the corner, soon we’ll start to see weather like this!
However, while temperatures during the day are going to be warmer, temperatures at night can still be cold. So, while during the day you might have low usage, there’s a chance that you might have some usage at night as it gets colder. So don’t completely shut off your systems yet!
What You’re Using Heating Oil For
What you use heating oil for during spring will depend on the temperature and weather. While we don’t have a strong idea of how this spring will pan out, we can at least be prepared. Typically, with heating oil usage during the spring, you’ll often see it being used for both heat and hot water. Hot water is more common as it tends to be warmer during the day. But at night it can still get cold! So you’ll likely have some heat usage at night!
But if you don’t have one already, and plan on using your heating oil for both heat and hot water, getting a Smart Oil Gauge will help you track your usage! It’ll track your usage daily and provide you with information as to how much you’re burning by the day, week, month, and year! If you’re interested in learning about both our Smart Oil Gauges, you can check out the blog post on the differences between the two!
Conclusion
What to expect out of heating oil this spring will be different depending on your individual circumstances. Usage will be determined by the temperature outside and the size of your home. What you use heating oil for will depend on your personal preferences. However, be prepared for some warm days and cold nights as the temperature can fluctuate often in spring.
But make sure you don’t forget to enjoy the new spring weather! After the brutal winter we just had, we deserve some nice weather now! With the help of your Smart Oil Gauge and knowing how much oil you’ll plan to burn, you’ll be prepared for the upcoming spring and summer months!
Getting your Smart Oil Gauge set up is very important for its functionality. Without ensuring that the Smart Oil Gauge connects to your internet properly, you might not get any sort of readings or uploads shown in the app. There are a couple of ways to connect your gauge to the WIFI. However, which process you’d prefer to do might depend on your preference or which one you find easier. I’ll be going through each of those processes here and how to do them!
The App Process
Our process on the app is very in-depth and takes you through the steps of getting the gauge set up. But before starting this process, you must have your WIFI password handy, as well as physical access to the gauge. Doing this will make this process a whole lot smoother. From here, you’ll select your sensor. This is where you choose between the standard Smart Oil Gauge or the Smart Oil Gauge Duo. After choosing your device, switch off the sensor. This is so that we can ensure we start from the beginning. Once the gauge has been turned off, go ahead and switch it back on, and the gauge will flash once. If it didn’t, press “No, it didn’t flash.” There will be options for troubleshooting the gauge from here. But if it did flash, type in your password after selecting “Yes, it flashed”.
After that, you’ll type in your WIFI network password for the network your phone is currently connected to. Once you’ve typed in your password, hit “continue,” and then you’ll put the gauge into config mode. Doing so requires you to press the button on the top right once for two seconds (counting one-one thousand, two-thousand), and the light should start blinking once per second. Your phone will see the CCF network pop up. Tap it so the gauge and your app can make a connection! The gauge should now be online! If not, check your WIFI password and then try again!
After you’ve successfully gone through the app process, you’ll answer various questions about your tank’s size, location, and much more. This will help set up your gauge for the proper setup and tank sizes.
The Alternate Process
This process takes you through your phone’s WIFI settings, rather than the app. It’s easy to understand and straightforward. It requires you to go to your phone’s WIFI settings rather than the app. For example, on IOS devices, simply click on Settings and then WIFI. This will bring you to your WIFI settings. However, on Android, this is a little different. You’ll need to go to “Settings” and then select “Connections”, then select Wi-Fi, and you’ll be in your WIFI settings.
The alternate process will take you through your WIFI settings and take you to a captive WIFI screen. There, you’ll input your WIFI information.
Once in your WIFI settings, you can start the process of getting the gauge set up. Like the app process, you’ll want to press and hold the button on the gauge for a full two seconds (counting one-one thousand, two-one thousand, then letting go). The gauge should start blinking once every second. If it does, you’ll see a network showing up in your WIFI settings that says “CCF########”. The number that follows the CCF network is the gauge’s serial number. You’ll want to join that network by typing in “smartoil”. If you’re on an IOS device, you should immediately be brought to a screen that says “Captive WIFI”. On Android devices, you might get a prompt with an option that says “Connect only this time”. After connecting to the CCF network, go to your preferred web browser and type in the following IP address to get to this screen: (192.168.4.1).
Once on the login screen, you’ll see your WIFI network listed there in blue. Select it, and then you can type in your WIFI password. From there, type in your WIFI password and fill in your email address. You’ll then see a prompt that says “WIFI Configuration Complete”. You should receive an email shortly after requesting that you finish up the setup process.
WPS Config Mode
The WPS config mode is a specific config mode that will provide a secure connection between the Smart Oil Gauge and the router. However, this process can only be done if your router has a WPS button. Usually, this button will look like either a lock, a globe, or even just say “WPS” on it. Typically, this button is on the back of the router. But sometimes, the button is on the front of the router. Once you press this button, you’ll see the router start flashing. From here, you’ll want to press and hold the button on the top right of the gauge for three seconds. This will cause the gauge to start blinking three times a second, and it should be able to connect to the router.
This is a breakdown of the WPS process. It’s the shortest setup process.
If the Smart Oil Gauge was successful in connecting, then you should be able to go onto the app, refresh the page, and the gauge should show up! From there, you’ll have to go through the tank settings and sensor settings to get the gauge set up for the correct tank size and any other adjustments you’d like to make. To do this, select “My Tank” and then click on the three dots on the top right and configure (Android) or the gear on the bottom left (IOS). You’ll then see a “Tools” screen, where you’ll be able to select and adjust those settings.
Smart WIFI Mode
Now, this process is more of a setting that should be enabled on the Smart Oil Gauge. Specifically, if the network you’re using is both 2.4ghz and 5ghz. On a lot of routers nowadays, there is a setting enabled by default called “Smart WIFI”. Essentially, this is a setting on the router that moves devices from 2.4ghz to 5ghz and vice versa to improve performance. This setting is very useful, especially for high-performance tasks such as gaming and streaming.
Enabling Force WIFI G will keep the gauge locked onto 2.4ghz and prevent it from switching.
However, the Smart Oil Gauge is not compatible with 5ghz. So when the router moves the gauge to 5ghz from 2.4ghz, the Smart Oil Gauge is going to disconnect. If your network supports both frequencies, I would strongly recommend going through this process to enable this setting. This will help your gauge stay connected and upload reliably.
Trying them All
If you’re having trouble going through one of these processes, it’s always a good idea to try going through one of the others! The app process for the Smart Oil Gauge is the most popular one! However, if you’re having trouble going through the app process, then I would suggest trying either the Alternate or WPS processes! These processes will be able to provide another way to try to get the gauge online and set up!
The Smart WIFI Method is only a process to enable the “Force WIFI G” setting on the Smart Oil Gauge. Its steps are similar to those of the alternate process, just a little bit different towards the end. However, please know that this process cannot be done through the app and must be done through your WIFI settings!
All these processes are meant to make the setup for your Smart Oil Gauge much easier! However, I understand that they still might be confusing! So if you’re confused at all during the setup, or still don’t know what to do after reading this article, our support team is happy to help! You can contact our support team from 8 am-5 pm EST, Monday through Friday, at 203-456-1499 option 3. You can also shoot us an email at contact@smartoilgauge.com or support@smartoilgauge.com, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible!
It’s currently peak heating oil season, so it’s very important to ensure that your system is operating at peak performance. Your system is the most important tool in keeping your home warm during the cold months of the year. But, with the rising prices of heating oil and systems getting older as the days go by, system efficiency is of the utmost importance. With it being this late into heating oil season, I’m sure that you’ve already got your tune-up. But if in the off chance that you haven’t, I’ll be covering why your system’s maintenance is so crucial. You should make sure to do this every year to stay on top of your system!
Important Maintenance Advice
Before you service your system, it’s important to replace your air filters. You should be doing this annually. However, if you have pets (especially cats and dogs that frequently shed) you might find yourself changing these out more often. These filters tend to fill up with pet hair, dust and dander! But, they also ensure that you have fresh air in your home! So by catching all that stuff, they are functioning as normal! But if you’re unsure how to replace these, you can follow our heating oil season prep guide here, where I briefly touch on it.
This is a side by side comparison for air filters what they look like before and after replacement. The one on the right is the new one while the one on the left is the old one.
Heating System Tune Ups
These tune-ups are often when your HVAC technician examines your system. When they are in your home, they’re looking at possible problems with your system. They’ll want to make sure that there is nothing broken or anything that could be a potential problem in the future.
There are several major areas that your HVAC technician will look at when inspecting your system. During this inspection and tune-up, the tech will replace anything that needs replacement. But here are some of the more common replacements:
Oil Supply Line: The very first thing that the technician will check is the supply line. This is to make sure that oil is traveling through it from the tank to your burner. If it’s not then the tech will replace it, because you cannot have heat without it!
Oil Filter and Strainer: These are more important components of the system. Similar to air filters, these components will catch any unwatched debris that you don’t want in your boiler. The filter will see frequent/annual replacement, because it constantly absorbs heating oil like a sponge. During tune-ups is when you’ll end up replacing it whenever it needs it. This is often due to how quickly they can absorb and store oil.
Oil Nozzle: The burner’s nozzle, is part of the conversion process. Before your oil is converted into heat, it must be atomized by the nozzle beforehand. This converts oil into an ignitable state. The nozzles electrodes are connected to the nozzle and these will typically ignite the fuel that’s been atomized into heat. As time goes on and services happen, the nozzles and electrodes will be replaced as needed.
Additionally, the below list are common parts that will need to be replaced or serviced as time goes on and more services are done.
Belt Checks
CAD Cell Eye, Electrodes and Fan Controls
Heat Exchanger – Performing Combustion Tests
Vacuum Test on Oil Line
Oil Tank inspection
Checking the Flue Pipe
Testing Pump pressure, stack relay and solenoid valve
Thermostat Check
How Important is Annual Maintenance?
Your Heating Oil Maintenance is VERY important. It’s crucial that you make sure your system is working properly. You must make sure that you get your system tuned up or checked at least once a year. This is often because soot can get built up which will back up your system, and make it less efficient.
This is a modern heating oil system. These systems have many interworking components that will need to be serviced annually.
Your Yearly Maintenance
Regardless of whether or not you sign up for an annual maintenance plan, it’s crucial that you get your system tuned up and checked out annually. Especially before heating season! But when you do get this done, make sure the person you’re hiring is a qualified and seasoned technician and someone that you can trust! Make sure you do as much research as possible before hand!
Topping of your tank is smart too! This will help you stay on top of your system and ensure you have fuel ready before the tune up! You can use our site FuelSnap to check the local dealers in your area to see who has the best price possible!
If you’re an avid reader of our blogs, then you’ve definitely heard me talk about ordering oil from our FuelSnap website. I typically recommend doing this because our platform allows you to shop around and look at pricing for local dealers in your area. But I’ve rarely shown how this works or what to do. In today’s blog post, I’ll be going over exactly what you have to do!
Step 1: Entering your Zip Code
The very first thing that you should do when ordering oil on our website, is enter your zip code. Doing this will ensure that you’re seeing the dealers in your area. This also helps you get an idea of your area’s pricings, and how much you’re going to want to spend.
This is the front screen for our FuelSnap Website. Here is where the process of placing an order will begin.
The zip code that you type in should be the zip code for the delivery address. Say for example you have multiple properties, one being in a different state. If that’s the case, make sure that you put in the zip code of the desired delivery address in that zip code bar. This zip code also determines which dealers can deliver to that address.
Step 2: Choose your Dealer and Delivery Amount
After typing in your zip code, you’ll see a list of your local dealers. What you’ll want to do from here is select the dealer you wish to order from. You can look at their prices and available delivery by dates to determine when’s the best to order. Select the one that offers you the best price and most convenient delivery date.
After selecting dealer and deliver by date, you can choose how much gallons that you wish to order. You can choose the amount you wish to order, but it’s also good to know that some dealers will offer a difference in price depending on how much you order. For example, with some dealers, the price might be 2.99 a gallon for 150+ gallons. But that same dealer might charge 3.05 for 100-150 gallons of heating oil. So be sure to be mindful of that when placing the order.
This screen displays the dealers available in your area. As well as their pricings.
It’s also important to know that when ordering oil on our FuelSnap website, once you’ve placed the order, your price per gallon is locked in. So if the cost per gallon goes up the day after you delivered, then the dealer must give you the price per gallon of the ticketed amount.
Step 3: Delivery Address and Location of the Tank
Now, while this is probably self-explanatory, the most important part of this process is the delivery address. The driver won’t be able to deliver without this! This information is crucial to ensure that the driver delivers to the right house! Where the tank is located is also an important part of the order as well. Including the tank location makes it easier for the driver to understand where the tank is and what to look for.
Here, you’ll fill out information about your tank’s location and address. Your tank’s location is also important here, so that the dealer knows where to look.
It’s also important that you include contact information on the ticket. This is often a phone number and email. Providing those will allow you to receive the order receipt via email, as well as allowing the driver to contact you via telephone if he needs to!
Tank inspections are another common thing with certain oil dealers. Some oil dealers will require an inspection of your tank. This is often the driver just checking to make sure that the tank itself isn’t leaking and that it’s properly vented. Not all dealers require them, but it’s important that you get one if they require it.
Final Step: Finalizing the Order
The very last thing you should do when placing an order in finalizing it. This requires you filling out the amount of gallons that are being delivered, when they’ll deliver by, confirming your address, and filling out your billing information. It will also show you the total.
On this this screen, you’ll get an alert saying that the tank will require an inspection. But, this is only from dealers that require an inspection before delivery. These will require someone above the age of 18 to be at the home at the time of the delivery. It’s usually the driver that does it.
This is the final screen in this process. Here, you will see how many gallons you are ordering, when it’ll be delivered by and what the address is. Plus your payment information.
After ensuring all of your order information is correct, go ahead and slide the bar on the bottom to finalize the order! Then you’re done! You’ll receive a confirmation email that has the dealers, contact information, as well as the details of your order.
Concluding Thoughts
Ordering oil on our FuelSnap website is very easy! Especially now that you’ve been equipped with the steps on how to do it and knowing what you need for the order itself! If you follow the above guide, you’ll know what to do when you are placing the order!
If you need help, or you wish to speak with someone over the phone and place the order, feel free to do so! You can reach our support at 203-456-1499 option 3 or 203-456-1015, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm EST.
Using a Smart Oil Gauge on your heating oil tank is incredibly useful. It’ll be able to tell your usage as well as when you’ll need to order oil! Most heating oil tanks will have four fittings on the top of the tank. One occupies the fill pipe, another the vent pipe, and lastly, the float gauge. This will usually leave an extra fitting open for the Smart Oil Gauge!
However, on some tanks, there is one less fitting, or the feed lines are actually on the top of the tank. In an event like this, you might be confused on what to do. It’s important that your gauge is installed correctly. So in this article, I’ll be going over what exactly you should do if your tank only has three fittings.
What’s On a Heating Oil Tank?
Most Heating Oil tanks will have four openings available. They usually look like this:
This is the Fill Pipe. This is where the driver will pump oil into the tank. The fill pipe normally leads outside where the driver can access it with the truck.
This is the vent pipe. Air will enter and leave the tank through this pipe during fill-ups and when oil is being used up. This pipe also leads outside and is sometimes right next to the fill pipe.
The float gauge is what is installed on this fitting. This gauge gives you an estimate for how much oil is in the tank. It’s a little cork bobber on the end of a metal arm that floats on the surface of the oil.
The extra opening is normally the last opening that isn’t occupied or is occupied by something else. If you have a dual tank system, then you’ll find that the connecting pipe will normally connect both your tanks. Now, if you have feed lines that are top-fed, then they’ll likley be in this fitting as well.
Heating Oil Tanks will have an orientation like this most of the time. However, what’s in the fittings of the tank will vary widely.
Where to Install the Smart Oil Gauge on Three Fitting Tanks
If your tank only has three fittings on the top of the tank, then there are two ways you can go about installing it. Which of these two ways depends on how your tank’s setup.
Fitting Layout #1: Float, Fill and Vent
If your tank has the above-mentioned setup, then you’re going to have to remove the Float Gauge if you want to use the Smart Oil Gauge. However, that being said, replacing the float gauge can be a little annoying sometimes. But if you follow along my guide on how to remove the float gauge, then it’s simple! Just be sure you don’t simply unscrew it. That can cause the arm will then collide with the side of the tank and possibly damage itself or the tank.
This layout is fairly common amongst heating oil tank users. Sometimes there will only be three fittings in the tank. Usually this will result in you having to take out the float.
Fitting Layout #2: Float Gauge/Vent Combo, Fill Pipe and Feed Lines
While in most heating oil tank configurations, the feed lines tend to be installed on the bottom, occasionally they will be on the top of the tank. But, with Roth tanks, the feed lines are always on the top of the tank. That means for Roth tank installations of the Smart Oil Gauge, you’ll have to uninstall the dial gauge and install the Smart Oil Gauge in that fitting. As for Granby tanks, the feed lines will occasionally be on the top. When this happens, your only option is to take out the float gauge and install the Smart Oil Gauge there. But another important thing to know is that with top-fed feed lines, they don’t always reach the bottom of the tank. This leaves roughly 30 gallons of oil that the system can’t draw from. It’s almost like a straw that can’t reach the bottom of a cup.
Top fed feed lines aren’t very common. However, when you do see them, they’ll often look like this!
Your other option is to move the feed lines to the bottom of the tank. DO NOT attempt this on your own. You MUST have a skilled and qualified technician do this for you. Otherwise, you can break your tank, damage your system, and cause oil to leak throughout your home. The average homeowner is not capable of doing this. The technician creates a vacuum that will prevent all the oil in the tank from spilling out. Doing this on your own is not feasible. Now, this is usually a last resort when it comes to using the Smart Oil Gauge. However, if you like the float gauge on the tank and want the best of both worlds. then this is the right move for you.
What to do if you Have Three Fittings?
Using a Smart Oil Gauge for your heating oil tank is a great way to monitor your usage and heating oil level. A lot of our clients have gone to great lengths to get the Smart Oil Gauge installed on their tank. You can also use it with your float gauge if you have enough fittings! But with only three fittings on the tank, you’ll have to remove the float gauge. You can read through our guide on that here.
Relocating your feed lines is also an option. However, this isn’t easy to do and requires an HVAC technician to do it for you. A qualified technician is the best way to get this gauge set up on the tank for you! You can typically call to schedule an appointment for them to do this. Or the next time they’re doing some tank work, you can ask them!
The maintenance of your home heating oil is very important! This is crucial for keeping your system at its peak performance. Ideally, you’ll want to get your system maintenance done annually. However, you might be wondering what comes with a furnace tune-up? Read on, because I’ll be going over everything you need to know!
This is the inside of an HVAC truck. They have everything they’ll need to service your system in here!
Typical Home Systems
Now, there are a lot of different types of home systems. But, there are a few common types that you should be on the lookout for! You’ll more than likley have one of these systems installed at your home!
Furnace: These are by far the most common type of home heating system and often the most serviced. They’re also very simple to understand and will usually provide heat by pushing hot air through the home with the use of ducts.
Forced Hot Air: This is another common system seen today. However, they’ll tend to work in conjunction with both cooling coils and a compressor. But the nice thing about these systems, is during the winter they provide heat, while in the summer they produce cool air.
Boilers: These are in many homes now and will utilize hot water that’s pushes through the home with baseboards. The water then heats up and pushes through the baseboards of your home. The tune-ups for these systems is different than Furnace and Forced hot air tune ups. This is mostly due to the lack of air filters.
What are the Steps of a Tune-Up?
The process of getting a heating system tune-up is very similar to that of getting a car service. Similarly to checking your car’s oil and fluid levels, you have to do the same with a furnace. This will be done to your system by an HVAC technician, who will often inspect, clean and replace the following list of items if required:
The Oil Supply Line: One of the first things that your HVAC technician will do make sure that there’s oil incoming from your tank to the furnace. But they’ll usually disconnect the line to properly inspect it. They do this to ensure that there’s a good flow of oil from your tank to the burner. On rare occasions, there is a build of sludge in these lines. This actually causes a bit of resistance in the line. In this event, the dealer will clean it out by pressuring the line from one end. This forces the sludge out of the line.
This is what the oil supply line with look like for heating oil tanks. This is often one of the very first things they’ll inspect!
Changing out the Filter and Strainer: Similar with how your car has an oil filter, your system also has an oil filter. They can get quite gross over time. The filter catches anything in the oil that you don’t want going over to the burner. While beyond the filter is like another filter inside your system that catches anything your filter misses.
This is your oil filter. You can replace it yourself. However, your HVAC guy replacing it, is always a safe option too!
Burner Components: Before the oil goes through the process of combustion, the oil must go through the nozzle and undergo the process of atomization. Over time, however, this nozzle can clog and wear out. In this case, the technician will go ahead and replace it. Then, after the nozzle is replaced, the technician will use a specialized template that helps line up the tips of the electrodes in the nozzle. These electrodes will help the atomized fuel to ignite, so if they show any wear and tear at all, the technician will go ahead and replace them immediately. Finally, the last thing that the technician will need to do is a visual inspection of combustion chamber to ensure everything is working properly.
In the above picture, the technician will replace the nozzle and adjust the electrodes if needed. Usually the electrodes will need to be replaced if they’re worn out.
The Heat Exchanger: Before it becomes hot air, cold air passes through the heat exchanger. This is where cold air goes through the conversation process of cold air to heat. Now, as some furnaces get older, their ability to do this gets a bit harder. Older ones will tend to fail, which can cause the heat exchanger to crack and break. The cracks make the burner’s exhaust mix in with the clean air which makes it harder for the system to provide you with clean hot air.
This is a close up view of the heat exchanger. If there’s any damage, the technician will replace it.
Combustion Analysis: There are special tools that will often test your systems efficiency. These will check the color of the smoke produced by your system. This is to ensure that the smoke is adequate. The analyzer checks both the CO2 content and temperature of the smoke. Using this information, it will effectively determine your systems efficiency.
Changing Out the Air Filters: This is the easiest part and you can often do this yourself. This should be done annually, so if you wish to wait for your your HVAC technician to do it during your annual maintenance then you can wait for that as well! But if you want to do it yourself, go ahead check my previous articles on changing out air filters! You can find one here!
Furnace Tune-Up Peace of Mind
With us still in the coldest part of the year, it’s very important to ensure that your system is up and running so that you continue to remain warm! Plus, being confident in your home’s heating oil system is important!
Being sure that you have annual maintenance on your system is very important. But now you know what to look out for! Similar to changing your oil in your car, you must do this frequently. This is to ensure that everything is working properly and that nothing is worn out or broken! But, make sure that you hire someone who’s reliable and trust worthy!
If you’re looking to purchase a new oil tank or are starting out in heating oil, you might’ve noticed there are options for double-wall tanks. These tanks are gaining popularity and proving to be very useful. The term double-wall means that inside the tank, there is an additional “tank”. This ensures that if the walls of the interior tank were to fail, the oil would be caught by the exterior walls of the other tank. I wrote an article that goes in depth about comparing a Roth Double Wall with a Granby Steel tank. I recommend checking it out if you want a more in-depth analysis. You can find it here.
How Does it Work?
While they’re more popular in Europe, they’re starting to get an increase in popularity here in the states. Roth tanks in particular, come with an interior plastic tank where the oil is stored. Like I mentioned above, if that tank were to fail, the exterior steel part of the tank would catch the oil, preventing a spill. Think of the steel exterior like a suit of armor!
These are Roth tanks and are the most popular double-wall tanks.
Recently, Granby has started making double-wall tanks similar to Roth tanks. If you have a Granby tank and are concerned that your Smart Oil Gauge can’t work on it, don’t worry, you’ll just need to purchase the Roth Adapter for your respective model of gauge, and you’ll be able to use it!
There are many benefits to having a double wall oil tank. I’ve compiled a list of all of them below for you:
Leak Protection: This is considered to be the biggest advantage of these tanks. The interior plastic tank offers another layer of protection in case the interior is damaged or fails. While the interior tank failing is not very common at all, it’s nice to have an extra peace of mind.
Compact: Another nice thing about these tanks is that they are taller than Granby tanks. So they don’t take up as much space as Granby tanks do! This means that you can put Roth tank in your garage or basement and it will take up less space!
No Corrosion: The interior tank is made of plastic. Plastic doesn’t corrode like steel, which means that not only is there no chance of corrosion, but the double wall tank will also have a longer lifespan when compared to steel tanks.
Decrease in Sludge Build Up: With the interior plastic tank, there is much less sludge that builds up. The interior plastic tank will not rust over, so this significantly decreases Sludge build-up.
Much Better Warranty: Most steel tanks will only have a warranty of 10 years. However, with Double Wall Tanks, you’ll see that they have a 30 year warranty! This is much better and much longer lasting.
This is an an example of a Roth 1500L, these are the largest of the Roth tanks. They can hold up to 400 gallons!
The Disadvantages
Now Double-Wall Tanks are not without their disadvantages. All tanks have them, so it’s good to know what they are and what to keep a look out for!
Expensive Cost: The biggest downside to these tanks are their price. They tend to be more expensive than standard steel tanks. This is often because of their reliability, but their construction process is also a little bit more complicated.
Not An Exact Replacement: These tanks have a different footprint than your standard Granby steel tanks. Double-wall tanks have a more square base/footprint compared to the lengthy base and four legs of the standard steel tank.
Complex Installation: If you’re installing more than one of these tanks in one location, the installation can be complex. This is because the piping that will connect these tanks together is very specific and must be put together correctly for the system to work properly.
Double-wall Dual setups will often look like this.
Are Double Wall Tanks Worth It?
Double-wall tanks are absolutely worth it! These tanks are not only durable, but they’re also reliable. They’re compact which means that they don’t take up as much room. The plastic interior also gives you another layer of protection from the tank leaking! The longer warranty also helps you have the peace of mind that if the tank fails, it’s covered!
But that being said, don’t be hasty and make this decision on a whim. You should continue to do your research before buying. You can even ask your local dealer to see what they suggest! Feedback from them will be very valuable!
Happy New Year, Smart Oil Gauge users! We’re in peak heating oil season right now, and heating oil is on everyone’s mind. So you might be asking, “How much oil should I order?” or “How much is oil in my area?”. So in this blog post, I’ll be covering everything that you need to know!
But, please keep in mind that if you run out of oil, it’s VERY important to order oil ASAP. If you run out, then place an order for a dealer to come out and deliver immediately! A system that has no oil in it for a prolonged period of time can be problematic. Afterwards, go to the gas station and get about 5-10 gallons of diesel. This will hold you over for at least a day or two until your order comes. If you suspect that you’re out of oil, use this article here as a reference on what to do.
During the winter, you’ll find yourself burning more oil daily to accommodate for the cold temperature.
What Factors Will Impact your Consumption?
There are plenty of factors as to what affects your consumption. However, the most important ones to know are listed below:
The Temperature Outside: This is important because what the temperature is outside will determine how much oil you’re going to burn. The colder it is outside, the more oil you’ll burn.
The Temperature Inside: Whatever you decide to set your thermostat to will affect how much oil your system is burning. Most of the time, setting it to around 70 degrees will give you the optimal temperature. It’s good to know that the higher you set your internal temperature, the more oil you’ll burn.
Home Size: The bigger your home, the more oil your system will burn. Your system is going to burn more oil to heat more surface area in the home. For example a two story home will burn more oil than a single story home would.
Insulation: Your home’s insulation is essential. If you’ve got good insulation in your home, then you’re likley to burn less oil. This is because a home that’s well insulated will have an easier time retaining heat. Some doors and windows might be drafty, so it’s important to make sure that they’re covered up!
How Old Your System Is: The older your system is, the less efficient it becomes. This is due to aging and the older your system is, the less efficient and effective it becomes. A newer system will always be more efficient than a system that’s 30-years old.
What You Use Heating Oil For: This is important when determining your usage. If your using it for just heat and hot water, then you’ll be burning it faster than someone who uses it for just heat or hot water.
This is an example of a more modern heating system. It is much more up to date and modernized for convenience.
The Size of Your Home and Usage
I’ll be keeping this part simple, because it’s important to understand this and it can get a little confusing. So, we’ll be focusing on just two very important aspects of your system. Those being your home’s size and your usage. In the below chart, you’ll want to find the size that your home roughly is. Using this chart will be able to give you an idea of where your usage stands when compared to other homes of different sizes.
By using the above graph, you’ll want to compare the temperature with the square footage for the average amount of oil burned.
Now keep in mind that this chart is only really useful for the colder winter months. During the summer months, you’ll be burning significantly less oil which will result in lower overall usage for your home.
The average winter day in Connecticut will often have you seeing about 5-7 gallons per day in usage. Be sure to use this baseline as a guideline when you schedule your delivery.
Another important bit of information to know is your tank capacity. Most tanks will never be filled to maximum capacity. This is to allow airflow, prevent leaks and avoid overfilling. For example, if you have a 275 gallon tank, the driver will keep pumping until they hear the vent alarm stop. On tanks of that size, that’s usually around 250 gallons. With a usage of roughly 5 gallons per day, you’re looking at around 40 days of usage.
An average 275 gallon oil tank will look like this. It’s true capacity is actually 250 rather than the 275 gallon maximum capacity.
Yearly Usage
The winter months are usually the most common days throughout the year when you’ll find yourself using heating oil. However, some home owners will be burning it year round! If it’s not being used for heat during the summer, then it’s likley being used for hot water. But, you’ll only ever be burning .5-.8 gallons per day for just hot water.
When using oil during the winter months, you’ll have to refer to the above mentioned factors as to what contributes to your usage.
This chart shows your annual usage based on the square footage of your home! This is an averaged data, so there’s a chance that yours might be different!
How Do you Track Your Consumption?
There a lot of different ways to track your usage. But the most popular and the way we recommend is by using a Smart Oil Gauge. It uses an ultrasonic sensor and is accurate from 0-72 inches. The gauge requires a 2.4ghz WIFI connection and a stable WIFI connection that will help the device have a solid signal to connect and upload to our servers using the router. The gauge will report all level and usage to data to the app. This data is compiled into four sections, being day, week, month and year! You can also export your data if you wish to do so!
Data from the Smart Oil Gauge looks like this on our website. You’re able to view usage and level data all through our website or through the Smart Oil Gauge App!
Check Your Tank Regularly throughout the Winter
Using the above tips and tricks, you should now be equipped to be able to monitor and track your heating oil usage! But that being said, you should definitely keep track of your oil level on occasion. You can monitor your tank’s level using a Standard Float Gauge or a Smart Oil Gauge. If you’re unsure how to read the float gauge, take a look at this blog post here. I go over exactly how you read your gauge and what you need to know! But it’s important that you check regular to prevent run out! Running out of oil can lead to the feedlines getting clogged with sludge. Setting a reminder in your phone every week is the best way to remind you to check your level!
Happy Heating,
Hunter
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
