ad | The heating system in your home is obviously very important but it can be stressful to think about how much heating costs these days with the rise in the cost of living. We’re all looking to save the pennies and it can be disheartening when our bills just seem to be going up and up.
Today we’re actually going to look at oil tanks and whether they are a sensible option for home-heating.
We moved in in August 2023 and the previous owners left half a tank of oil for us (because they’re decent people, thank y0u). Obviously for the first few months, we weren’t using the heating as we were in the tail end of Summer.
But of course, Autumn and Winter rolled around and it started to feel chilly. As I work from home, I’m not prepared to sit in a freezing cold house all day PLUS we got a puppy in the middle of December, so we couldn’t let the house be too cold for her.
We set our thermostat to come on at 2 hour intervals 3 times a day:
- 1:30am-3:30am: This is because the dog sleeps in her crate in the kitchen. We have a big kitchen and it can get quite cold in there with only one small radiator
- 6:30am-8:30am: So it’s nice and warm for when we wake up and get up in the morning
- 1:30pm-3:30pm: The last burst of heat for the day and this one usually keeps the house warm enough until we go to bed, unless it’s absolutely FREEZING outside, in which case we might put in on for an hour in the evening.
We’ve had this system going since the beginning of December and our tank is nowhere near empty. With Spring and Summer approaching, chances are we’ll be turning the heating on less in the coming months as well, so this current amount may last us till next Winter.
So based on my own personal experience, yes, oil tanks are a great option! But here are some more pointers:
It’s a more cost-effective option
You buy oil for your oil tank in one big batch, so this instantly allows you time to shop around for the best prices. Once you find a decently priced company to deliver your oil, you’re then set for the foreseeable future.
As you can see above, oil lasts a long time! Plus, as you’re buying it independently, you’re not at the mercy of the gas and electric companies and the increase in bills which seems to be happening all the time.
It gives you more control over mainline gas
Another benefit of being independent from mainline gas is not just the price but also the fact that if anything were to go wrong with the mainline gas or electric supply, this won’t affect you!
It’s more energy efficient
Using oil to heat your home is a much more energy efficient method, especially if you have a good quality oil tank with good insulation. A higher energy efficiency is not only better for your bank account but also for the environment.
It’s a safe option
Oil tanks are incredibly safe, usually with insulation and a protective layer around the tank. Oil tanks are generally situated in your garden (ours is) however they can be placed underground which is particularly useful if you have a small outside space.
