Keeping track of your heating oil level is one of the simplest but most important tasks for homes that rely on oil-fired heating. Regular checks help you avoid running out, prevent costly emergency deliveries, and ensure your home stays warm - especially during colder months when demand is higher.
At Rix Petroleum, we supply heating oil through a nationwide network of local depots across the UK, combining national reliability with local knowledge. Whether you live in a rural village or on the edge of a town, knowing how much heating oil you have is key to staying warm and in control.
Short answer: Checking your heating oil level regularly helps prevent breakdowns, avoids running out during cold weather, and gives you more flexibility to order oil at the right time.
Unlike mains gas, heating oil requires forward planning. Delivery times can be affected by winter demand, severe weather, or access restrictions. Monitoring your oil level ensures you can order in advance rather than relying on emergency deliveries.
Most heating oil tanks are fitted with a float gauge on the top of the tank. This shows approximately how full the tank is, usually marked as Full, ¾, ½, ¼ and Empty.
What to keep in mind:
Expert tip from Rix Petroleum: To avoid running out, especially in winter, order heating oil when your tank reaches around one-quarter full.
If your tank doesn’t have a working gauge, you can check the oil level manually using a clean wooden stick or purpose-made dipstick:
Safety note: Always wear gloves and keep naked flames or sparks well away from the tank.
Smart oil monitors offer a more accurate and convenient way to track how much heating oil you have. Many systems display real-time readings and can send alerts when oil levels are low.
These monitors are particularly useful for:
As a general guideline:
Typical Heating Oil Tank Levels
Tank Size ¼ Full ½ Full
1,000 litres 250 litres 500 litres
1,500 litres 375 litres 750 litres
2,500 litres 625 litres 1,250 litres
If your heating oil level is low, you may notice:
If you experience these issues, check your oil level as soon as possible.
Best practice: Order heating oil when your tank reaches around one-quarter full.
Ordering early helps you:
During winter, heating oil demand increases across the UK, and adverse weather can affect deliveries. Ordering early gives you peace of mind.
Running out of heating oil can cause your boiler to shut down and may require a reset or professional attention before it will operate again.
If your heating oil runs out:
Rix Petroleum has been supplying heating oil to homes and businesses for generations. With local depots across the UK, we deliver reliable service backed by local expertise.
Our customers benefit from:
Check your oil level at least once a month, and weekly during winter.
Heating oil typically lasts 12–18 months if stored correctly in a well-maintained tank.
Yes, but take extra care around icy or slippery surfaces and follow basic safety precautions.
Regularly checking your heating oil level helps avoid disruption and keeps your home warm all year round. When it’s time to top up, Rix Petroleum’s nationwide network of local depots is ready to deliver safely and reliably. Get a quote today
