Oil usage - how long do you get out of 500L?

makavelli_2

Ordered 500L on 21/12/09 and got home from work today to find out I had run out of oil. Now I know that we have had a particularly cold snap recently but surely this can't be right. Just had the boiler serviced, before the oil was delivered and according to the engineer it was running perfect. Was wondering if anyone else had any similar experiences. To put it into some sort of context I live in a 4 bed, 2 rec detached with conservatory and build on garage. No cavity wall insulation (this is coming on 25th so hopefully i will notice a difference after). At this stage i am hoping that somebody has been helping themselve to my oil in the middle of the night as i can't afford £220/month heating bill.

Pretani

you've got a leak, the burner needs checking or someone is stealing it.

for a 4 bed, 2 rec detached with conservatory and build on garage I would say 1500 ltrs should do you a year.

miserly_mum

I live in old 4 bed 2 reception mid terrace with high ceiling which can be hard to heat. We got 500L on 23/12/09 and the oil watchman was reading at 7 and now its reading at 3.

I'm at home all day so our heating is on a lot but we've still got about 200 ish Litres left. Sounds like either someone has emptied your tank or you might have a leak somewhere.

Artytarty

Over the cold spell, with kids home from uni for Christmas etc we used 900lt in 6 weeks!
Large old detached house,no cavity insulation but double glazed.Mid terrace much more efficient than a semi and even more so than detached H.
I guess it depends on how long you have the heating on for each day though!
I have to say I wouldnt be surprised if the was no leak and no thief!
Awful isnt it?!

beccam

I'd definately recommend checking for a leak somewhere.

We noticed our oil running out really quickly and since it was over summer time thought it was abit strange, at the same time we were relaying paving in the backyard and after digging down a little got a strong smell of oil.....turned out the pipe from tank to house had a hole and most of our oil was in the garden!

With the cold weather could easily be a burst/hole in pipe somewhere.

kidshorsesdogs

We had 500L delivered late Nove and had to get another 500L in New Year, 3 bed detatched bungalow. We were off 2 weeks over Christmas and at home all day, cold weather too.. So I guess that is about right!

shaz77_2

How often do you guys have your oil on and how long for?

I know some people who leave their oil on overnight which is not only wasteful but very dangerous.

Try to cut out needless times when the oil is on and this may help, to the OP poster I think you may have a leak, get an expert to check your boiler and drum.

seatzie

why is leaving the oil on all night dangerous? if its -7 outside and you need heat whats the problem?

what temperature is your boiler set at, obviously a couple of degrees lower will make a big difference if you have the heating on a long time

also check your windows close tight, we had to recently get the brackets replaced on one of our double glazing windows as it would close but in strong winds you'd feel a draught coming in, now its as tight as a ducks..... and therefore not using as much of our heating to constantly heat cold air

when we moved into our 4 bed detached there were 3 windows not closing tight tight and we used 900l in 5 weeks while we were sorting out all that was wrong with the house and that weather wasn't as cold as this winter

your insulation should help too

shaz77_2

seatzie wrote: »

why is leaving the oil on all night dangerous? if its -7 outside and you need heat whats the problem?

what temperature is your boiler set at, obviously a couple of degrees lower will make a big difference if you have the heating on a long time

also check your windows close tight, we had to recently get the brackets replaced on one of our double glazing windows as it would close but in strong winds you'd feel a draught coming in, now its as tight as a ducks..... and therefore not using as much of our heating to constantly heat cold air

when we moved into our 4 bed detached there were 3 windows not closing tight tight and we used 900l in 5 weeks while we were sorting out all that was wrong with the house and that weather wasn't as cold as this winter

your insulation should help too

Pipes overheat and are capable of busting with the risk of boiling water pouring out from them, I've known it to happen.

toni_

kidshorsesdogs wrote: »

We had 500L delivered late Nove and had to get another 500L in New Year, 3 bed detatched bungalow. We were off 2 weeks over Christmas and at home all day, cold weather too.. So I guess that is about right!

same here, we have just got oil heating in our cottage, we put 500L in and were empty now, we wern't there much over christmas but left the heating on 10C to stop the pipes bursting in the cold weather

seatzie

shaz77 wrote: »

Pipes overheat and are capable of busting with the risk of boiling water pouring out from them, I've known it to happen.

they can do that any time of the day, so are you saying stay cold just because you won't be awake if a pipe bursts?