What Size Heating Oil Tank Do I Need?

Heating oil tanks are built to last – but nothing lasts forever.

If the time has come to replace your heating oil tank – whether because it’s outdated, showing signs of wear, or simply because your needs have changed – you’ll need to ask some simple questions when shopping for a replacement.

The most basic of these questions is what size oil tank you will need.

Heating oil tank sizing

Here’s a quick guide to some heating oil tank sizing basics:

• Before shopping for a new heating oil tank, it’s helpful to know what size tank you currently have and what sized models are available. When it comes to heating oil tank sizes, two sets of numbers matter:
  • The capacity of the tank (measured in gallons).
  • The dimensions of your tank (height, width and depth).

  If you have a newer tank, the capacity is more than likely listed on the tank’s name plate; if you have an older tank that doesn’t list its capacity, you’ll have to estimate based on dimensions.

• A standard residential heating oil tank size is 275 gallons and comes in either a vertical (275V) or horizontal (275H) orientation. Heating oil tanks may also come in different sizes depending on whether they’ll be installed above or below ground. Typical sizes for above-ground tanks include 288, 340, 420, 500, 550, 675, and 1000 gallons (underground tanks can be substantially larger).
• An industry rule-of-thumb is that one or two-bedroom homes typically require a 275-gallon heating oil tank; three or four bedroom homes need a 300 to 500-gallon tank.
• Other sizing factors to consider include:
  • Available space: Some homes can’t accommodate larger heating oil tanks; be sure to measure your space before you start to shop for your tank.
  • Current and future family size: As your family grows, so does your energy consumption.
  • Lifestyle preferences: Is your family eco-conscious? Do you spend long vacations away from home? Do you have elderly people living in your space that prefer a warmer house? All of these factors will affect how much heating oil you need – and how big a tank you should get.

Once you’ve thought about these sizing factors, you’ll have a better idea where to begin your journey toward a heating oil tank upgrade.

When it comes time to upgrade your heating oil tank, Bottini Fuel’s got you covered! We feature top-quality, double wall construction heating oil tanks that are virtually leak-proof. We’ll even take care of removing your old tank in accordance with all environmental laws and codes.

Contact us today to learn more and get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a heating tank upgrade for your Hudson Valley home!