Guide · Home care
Heating Oil Tanks
Steady heat and early warning signs. You do not need to know anything about furnaces. You just need to know what to watch for and who to call.
Where to start
- See a leak, spill or oil smell?
Keep children and pets away, no flames nearby, and call the owner and the oil company right away. For a large spill or a strong smell that will not go away, call 911. See if you see a leak or spill.
- Furnace stopped?
Please don't press the reset button over and over. Call the owner instead. See who takes care of it.
- Owner planning for winter?
Many oil companies suggest ordering at about a quarter full. See plan ahead for winter.
The short version
Some homes, especially older ones in colder parts of the country, are heated with oil from a tank in the basement, garage or yard. An oil system can keep a home cozy for many winters, and it mostly asks for two things: enough oil in the tank, and someone paying attention to small changes.
This guide explains how the tank works, who takes care of it, and the early signs worth reporting.
How the tank works
The tank stores heating oil and sends it through a small line to the furnace or boiler. Many indoor tanks hold about 275 gallons. Most tanks have a gauge on top, often a small clear dome with a float inside that shows roughly how full the tank is.
Gauges can stick, so oil companies sometimes measure the tank directly to be sure. Water can also collect at the bottom of a tank from condensation, which can lead to rust and leaks over time. Many oil companies suggest filling the tank at the end of the heating season to reduce condensation over the summer.
Who takes care of it
The tank, gauge, fill pipe, vent, oil line, filter and burner are heating oil equipment, so they are always a job for the owner or the oil company, never a resident.
Residents should never open caps or plugs on the tank, measure inside it, bleed the lines or work on the furnace. If the furnace stops, please don't press the reset button over and over. That can cause bigger problems. Call the owner instead.
If the owner asks, you can glance at the gauge on top of the tank and let them know where it reads. Looking is fine. Opening anything is not.
Plan ahead for winter
Many oil companies suggest ordering when the tank gets to about a quarter full. Running very low can pull sediment from the bottom of the tank into the line and clog the filter, which can stop the heat. The lease should say who orders oil and who pays for it. If that is unclear, please ask the owner before the cold weather arrives.
Signs to watch for and report
Here are some common examples. This is not a complete list.
- An oil smell in the home, especially near the tank or furnace.
- Wet spots, drips or stains under the tank, along the oil line or near the filter.
- Rust, dents or legs that look bent or unsteady.
- Smoke, soot or a strong smell when the furnace runs.
- The heat not coming on, or the furnace starting and stopping.
- A gauge that has not moved in weeks during cold weather.
If you see a leak or spill
Keep children and pets away, do not smoke or use anything with a flame nearby, and open windows if the smell is inside. Call the owner and the oil company right away. For a large spill or a strong smell that will not go away, call 911 or the fire department.
In some states the owner may also need to report a spill to the state environmental agency. Oil leaks can damage the home and the ground around it, and cleanup costs can be high, so early reports matter.
How everyone in the home can help
- Keep stored items, boxes and anything that can burn away from the tank and furnace.
- For outdoor tanks and fill pipes, keep the path clear of snow and vehicles so the driver can reach them.
- Know the name and number of the oil company.
Your heating oil tank checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Thanks so much for taking care of your home!
An everyday example
A resident doing laundry in the basement noticed a small dark stain on the floor under the oil line by the furnace. They took a photo and texted the owner. The owner called the oil company, who found a loose fitting at the filter, tightened it and cleaned up the drip. The fix took a few minutes. Catching it early kept a small drip from becoming a big cleanup.
Guides that go well with this one
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Country Rental
Fuel deliveries are one of several things that make a country home different from a home in town. The Perfect Country Rental walks through wells, septic systems, fuel deliveries, power outages, winter roads and the distance to help, with worksheets for who does what.
Keep this guide handy
Save this page, come back to your checklist any time, and share it with anyone in your home who could use it.
See all guidesTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 115: Heating Oil Tank Wooden Gauge Stick Dipping and Condensation ControlA printable guide to heating oil tank wooden gauge stick dipping and condensation control, in plain steps.See it in the shop
- Bunklow Home Guide 014: Oil-Fired Residential Heating Systems, Fuel Measurement, and Safety SwitchesA printable guide to oil-fired residential heating systems, fuel measurement, and safety switches, in plain steps.See it in the shop
This guide shares general educational information to help you, and is not legal advice or a substitute for a licensed professional. Bunklow does not inspect, repair, service or supply heating oil systems. Rules about oil tanks, spills and cleanup differ from state to state and town to town, so please check your state and local law and your lease, and get local help from your oil company or a licensed heating professional for any work on the tank or furnace. In an emergency, call 911.