New homeowner. Pretty sure I ran out of heating oil. Called a few places, but they can't/won't deliver until Monday. What now? (New Haven)

Submitted by CT_help_heat t3_10bsnbe in newhaven

My heat went off this morning, and I don't know why. I suspect it's because I've run out of oil, but am not 100%. I have a service technician for my boiler coming today, but he's not going to bring any oil with him.

The oil tank level gauge says 1/4. The feed line comes out the top of the tank, though, not the bottom. I unscrewed the clear plastic cylindrical housing on the level gauge and pressed down on the red plunger. It went down and then came back up to 1/4 and it didn't feel stuck at all.

When I tap lightly with a metal object around the tank, however, it sounds empty, even down fairly low.

It's in the low 60's in my home right now, so nothing too serious yet, but it's going to be in the 30's for the next couple days and apart from not wanting to be super chilly, I don't want my pipes to freeze.

In the event the HVAC tech says "Yes, you're out of oil," what do I need to do?

(I don't have a service contract with anyone; I used cheapestoil.com to get my first and only delivery. I'm also not very DIY unless it's pretty basic. The boiler is "locked out" with a red light. I pushed the Reset button. That's about what I can do.)

EDIT: SOLVED! Turns out there was oil in the tank, we just had an air bubble in the line. It's amazing how such a small thing can cause so much mental turmoil.

Thank you all for your help!!

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Jonao t1_j4bwdef wrote

I've been there as well. Diesel is the same without the dye.

https://loveenergyfuel.com/heating-with-diesel/#:~:text=Diesel%20fuel%20used%20in%20diesel,untaxed%20or%20lower%2Dtaxed%20fuels.

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CT_help_heat OP t1_j4byufu wrote

Thank you! Did you have to do anything with the bleeder valve when this happened to you? Also, how do you get the diesel into the tank? I don't have any empty holes on the top of the tank, not even one with a square-socket plug. I could try a wrench on the gauge, or try via the mail fill line outside...

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Jonao t1_j4bzm8v wrote

There will be a fill spout along one of the sides of the house. You can wait till the tech gets there to pour it in if you are unsure where it is. I'm sure he can direct you. I'd have the diesel on hand though.

If you don't have any experience with the furnace, I wouldn't recommend messing with it yourself.

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ElectricBedlam t1_j4cwm7g wrote

A small wrench (maybe 10mm) and a shallow bowl is all you need to bleed the line after adding diesel. Put at least 5 gallons into your tank, and im sure you can find dozens of tutorials on YouTube. Bleeding and restarting takes less than a minute.

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jfa808 t1_j4cgvit wrote

This is great info to have. Thanks.

We're planning a move to CT.

Based on that link and a couple others, it says the average 1650 sqft home will use 7 gals of oil per day. Was looking it up and found average costs (2021) was approx $3.00 per gal.

So that's roughly $610 per month. And if the house is bigger, say closer to 3000 sqft, it'd be almost twice that ($1220) per month. Is that accurate?

I know there are variables (e.g., outside temps, comfort levels, etc). But trying to estimate a budget.

Thanks

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Sweaty_Conclusion_80 t1_j4bxqh3 wrote

Until you get the heat going again, also consider keeping a small amount of water running through a few of the taps. That will help prevent the pipes from freezing.

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CT_help_heat OP t1_j4bzpn3 wrote

Thank you! I hope we don't get there. Is there anything similar you can do for water in the radiator system?

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Sweaty_Conclusion_80 t1_j4c4owu wrote

I don’t think it will be cold enough to worry about the radiators freezing but you could always bleed them a bit to keep the water circulating if you’re concerned.

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Do_u_even_reddit t1_j4cg2ot wrote

Heating contractor here. Use diesel. Probably going to need a new filter and pump screen since you prob sucked in sludge. Hopefully the line didn’t clog. If you ever need anything pm me. I own a plumbing, Heating, and cooling business here in west haven

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Somar2230 t1_j4bwl8g wrote

Bundle up and get some electric space heaters. Be safe with the space heaters.

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CT_help_heat OP t1_j4bygho wrote

Thanks. I have two sweatshirts on and a space heater going near me. :)

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gstormcrow80 t1_j4c1tn0 wrote

I ran out of oil once. They explained that as the last ounces are used, it can suck the accumulated silt and debris from the bottom of the tank into the filter, which needs to be removed and flushed before service can be restored.

You may also be able sign a contract to have them regularly top the tank off so you never have to worry about catching it before you run out again.

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gentlestone t1_j4bwjdh wrote

I once heard somewhere that you can use diesel from a gas station when you’re in need like this. Look into it, and hope you get it all sorted out!

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CTRealtorCarl t1_j4csymy wrote

I’m guessing you aren’t actually out of oil if the gauge is showing 1/4 and bouncing back to 1/4 easily. Tapping on the tank isn’t really going to prove effective.

My guess is either some sludge got sucked in and is blocking the line or there is another issue with the burner itself. Hopefully the tech can solve that…

If you are actually out as others have mentioned just use diesel in a pinch, pour it in to the same pipe on the outside where your oil deliveries go in. However you will need to bleed the system and reset the burner, it’s not as simple as adding oil then it will turn on again…

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CT_help_heat OP t1_j4cubec wrote

Thank you! Turned out to be an air bubble in the oil line from the tank to the burner. The HVAC tech was able to get it out, thank goodness.

We did check the oil level in the tank, and there was oil in there. You're right, tapping was ineffective. Seemed like a fair idea, though!

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CTRealtorCarl t1_j4cwt22 wrote

Believe me I’ve tried that method too! Haha

Glad to hear it worked out.

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mdfromct t1_j4e0jx5 wrote

www.Cashheatingoil.com or Purple Fuels typically have the lowest prices. Discount on cash heating oil for paying with cash or check

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Specific-Trainer3986 t1_j4gf7wj wrote

Yes although you won’t be able to pick by company name they will tell you which companies with delivery next or same day too

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Awgeewiz t1_j4cai33 wrote

Diesel or Kerosene from gas station, then bleed the furnace.

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NATO1092 t1_j4dakq6 wrote

Sounds like you ran low on oil and drew in some air. If that happens or if you run her dry you need to bleed the system....now you know

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DaveBrz t1_j4djum9 wrote

Glad you got it fixed, I’m out and waiting on affording to get another 100 gallons to get me through a month not with some warm days coming up, should be ok.

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kkirchoff t1_j4enpot wrote

Haven’t had oil in a while, but there should be a bleed valve at the furnace on the oil line. You may want to open it and let the oil fill a small cup. If oil is flowing then it isn’t your problem. It could be the igniter.

When we were buying oil, I used to use Standard Oil although there were many other quality oil companies. We also used to lock in prices which could help or hurt you. Standard would estimate when I need another delivery and just show up and fill it up.

Once, I ran dry. Guy showed up at like 11pm on a weekend. Poured in some oil to get me running for a day or two and made sure everything started up. Since we were a customer, the service was free and we paid standard rate for the oil and then the next fill up. He said that there is an on call technician with the truck at their house 24 hours a day.

Another time, my burner went and they came, replaced it and the fee was very reasonable.

You pay a little more but you get a lot if you can swing it imho.

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k-star-dash t1_j4fpgjd wrote

Go to the gas station and buy deisal fuel and pour it into your pipe the goes to the oil tank the 2 gallons sould get you though a day.

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Morgan_3D t1_j4bxou5 wrote

deisel works in a pinch.

Oil co told me last week my tank was rusting and they wouldn't deliver to me anymore. It was a tiny rust spot with a booger sized drip of crusted oil that was visible.

Now we are converting to gas since a new oil tank would be up to 5g.

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CT_help_heat OP t1_j4bzlu6 wrote

Up to five grand?! Good grief. How big of a tank do/did you have? Was your boiler/furnace on its last legs as well? Replacing that component can't be cheap either.

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Morgan_3D t1_j4c04s7 wrote

we already have gas in the room so conversion will be relatively easy.

5g for a new tank was the estimate from the corporate oil company that we use and had a service plan through. Got some quotes for a bit less but while doing this it is a good opportunity to switch.

our boiler is a weil mclain its not new but works great may have some value on fb marketplace not sure yet.

we got a good price on a viessman high efficiency combi boiler and to remove tank so going that route.........

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