If you live in a part of the country where heating with fuel oil is common, purchasing heating oil is probably not new to you, but if you are just getting started with heating oil or fuel oil as fuel for your furnace or boiler, you might not know for sure what you need or where to get it.
Buying the Right Fuel
If your home has a boiler in it, you will need heating oil all year long. The boiler heats the water to heat the home but it also heats the domestic hot water for use in the sinks and shower. In the summer months, number 2 fuel is fine for your boiler and if the weather gets cool, the boiler will turn on and heat the home.
In the colder months, the oil in your tank can be affected by the cold, so depending on where your tank is located, you may need a blended fuel that has some kerosene or K1 mixed into the heating oil. The K1 keeps the oil from gelling cold and gumming up the lines or the nozzle in the furnace or boiler.
Where to Buy Fuel
In many areas, fuel-oil companies are common and the products they offer vary from basic fuel oil, blended fuels, and in some cases even off-road diesel fuels. You can order heating oil for your home as you need it. Some companies require you to order a minimum amount of fuel before they will deliver it, but check with your local supplier to see what they can offer you.
If you are not sure what heating oil mix is right for your home, have the heating oil company come out and check the furnace or burner for you. They will be able to tell you what the best option for you is and what will work best in your furnace.
Buying in Bulk
If you use a lot of heating oil, you can buy large amounts of heating oil and store it in a large bulk tank. There may be some restrictions that you need to be aware of and regulations for storing large volumes of heating oil, so be sure to check the local laws. If you are buying a large amount of heating oil, the company may need a little lead time to deliver the volume of heating oil you want or need for your storage tanks.
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