Trusted by over 500,000 customers for 20+ years
Order online or call
01480 775454
Sign in
Trusted by over 500,000 customers for 20+ years
Order online or call
01480 775454
Sign in
Trusted by over 500,000 customers for 20+ years
Written by
Jenna Culy
on 20 Mar 2026
and updated on
20 Mar 2026
Categorised in
Tips and Advice
Everything you need to know about checking your oil levels, understanding usage, and staying in control.
Moving into a home with oil central heating can feel unfamiliar at first. Unlike gas or electric heating, you’re responsible for monitoring your fuel levels and ordering oil when you need it.
The good news? Once you understand how your oil tank works and how much oil your home typically uses, it becomes simple to manage.
Oil central heating works in much the same way as gas heating. Heating oil is stored in a tank outside your home, and the boiler draws fuel from that tank to heat water. The heated water then circulates through your radiators and hot water system.
Inside your home, it operates just like any other central heating system – controlled by your thermostat or timer.
If you’re purchasing a property with oil heating, it’s important to check that the tank is in good condition. Look for visible cracks, bulging, signs of leaks around the base, or pipework that appears loose or exposed. The tank should sit securely on a stable, level base and be positioned safely away from buildings or boundaries.
If you’re unsure about its condition, arranging a professional inspection can help provide reassurance.
If you’re new to oil heating, you may occasionally notice a light smell of heating oil near the tank or boiler, particularly after a delivery. A faint odour is usually normal and should fade quickly.
If you’d like to reduce the smell, our cherry-scented heating oil additive can help by neutralising odours while also improving your boiler's efficiency. It works by helping the fuel burn more cleanly, reducing the build-up of deposits within the system and supporting smoother operation.
However, strong or persistent odours should always be investigated to rule out potential leaks or maintenance issues.
Regular servicing helps ensure your boiler continues to run safely and efficiently. A qualified OFTEC engineer can inspect key components, clean internal parts, and identify potential issues before they develop into more serious problems.
BoilerJuice can help you arrange an annual boiler service to keep your heating system running smoothly. Regular servicing supports efficient performance, helps detect issues early, and can extend the lifespan of your boiler, ensuring it’s ready for the colder months.
Most homes use one of two systems: A manual float gauge or a digital monitor. But over the years, we’ve heard of plenty of creative alternatives too!
Traditional oil tanks have a small dial on top marked Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, and Empty. This gives you an estimate of how full your tank is.
If your gauge is reading 1/4, it's usually time to start thinking about ordering oil . Leaving it too low increases the risk of running out. Particularly during colder months when usage rises.
Some homes have digital monitors - like our Smart Monitor - that show percentage levels, litres remaining, and sometimes usage trends.
Our Smart Monitor removes the guesswork. Instead of physically checking the tank, you can see your levels clearly and receive alerts when it's time to order via our BoilerJuice App.
Not everyone relies on the gauge alone. Some households use more creative approaches, including:
While these methods might seem resourceful, they're not always accurate - and in some cases, opening the tank unnecessarily can risk contamination or damage.
Buying heating oil is simple with BoilerJuice. Heating oil is refined from crude oil and stored at distribution terminals before being transported to regional depots and local suppliers. These local suppliers then deliver the fuel directly to homes and businesses using delivery oil tankers.
Most households purchase heating oil as a one-off when their tank levels begin to run low. However, BoilerJuice can make this even easier with our Connected service, helping you stay topped up automatically and avoid the stress of running low. To help avoid running out of oil, it’s important to:
With BoilerJuice, you can easily secure heating oil prices from multiple local suppliers in one place. Simply enter your postcode and the amount of oil you need to see available prices, choose the best option for you, and place your order online. Your selected supplier will then arrange delivery directly to your tank.
One way to make heating costs easier to manage is with our Monthly Payment Plan. Instead of paying for your heating oil in one large payment when you place an order, a payment plan allows you to spread the cost across the year with smaller monthly payments.
This means you can build up a balance in your account over time, helping to reduce the amount you need to pay when you order oil and making it easier to budget for your home’s heating needs.
For even greater convenience, BoilerJuice Connected can help take the hassle out of managing your heating oil. Our Next Gen Smart monitor tracks your tank levels 24/7 and automatically reorders your heating oil when your supply starts to run low.
This helps ensure you never unexpectedly run out, while also providing you with real-time usage via the BoilerJuice app.
When combined with monthly payments, you can spread the cost of your heating oil across the year, making it easier to manage your household heating budget.
Buying a house with oil central heating doesn’t need to be daunting. Once you understand the basics of how the system works and what to look out for, managing your heating oil is simple. With the right support and regular maintenance, you can keep your home warm and your heating system running smoothly.
Price Charts