How do I know how much oil is left in my tank?

It may sound obvious but it’s helpful to know your starting point. If you’re unsure of the size of your tank and its capacity you should find a label on the tank that tells you. On more recent tanks, it may be on the front or side.

To measure, many tanks have simple float gauges or sight level tubes that allow you to keep an eye on your oil level.

If your tank has a digital monitor that plugs into an electric socket inside the house, such as an Apollo or Watchman, ordering when the digit reaches 1 or 2 (1 or 2 bars) is usually the ideal time.

Most systems are designed to flash at either Level 1 or Level 2. When the monitor first starts flashing at these levels, you still have quite a bit of oil left so there’s no need to panic and turn off your heating – the flashing is merely a visible reminder to place your order.

If your tank has no gauging system, or you want to double-check the accuracy of your gauge, an alternative basic method to monitor how much oil you have left is to dip the tank.

To avoid contamination, make sure you use a designated dipstick that is kept clean and used solely for your oil tank.

To measure your tank manually, take the cap off the top of the tank, which is where the fuel goes in, and put the dipstick right down to the bottom of the tank. When the stick is withdrawn, the oil will leave a mark on the stick consistent with the level of oil. When your tank level gets down to around the last 12 inches (approx. 30cm), we recommend it’s time to order your fuel.