Heating Oil Cost Calculator
Calculate fuel oil expenses for boilers and furnaces, estimating seasonal gallon consumption, delivery charges, boiler efficiency, and cost per useful million BTU.
Heating Oil Volume & Pricing
Heating Oil Cost & Useful BTU Formula
Total Fuel Cost = Gallons × Price per Gallon | Effective Heat (BTU) = Gallons × 138,500 BTU/Gal × Boiler AFUE %- Fuel Oil Energy Density: 1 US gallon of standard No. 2 heating oil contains 138,500 British Thermal Units (BTU).
- Boiler AFUE Efficiency: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (modern boilers 84% to 90%; older units 70% to 80%).
- Cost per Useful MMBtu: True cost of delivered heat energy after accounting for chimney flue thermal exhaust losses.
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
How to Use This Calculator
Assumptions & Limitations
- Energy density is standard commercial Grade No. 2 Fuel Oil (138,500 BTU/gal).
- Standard residential indoor heating oil tanks are 275 or 330 gallons (approx 240-290 gal usable).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons of heating oil does an average home use per winter?
An average home in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic US consumes roughly 500 to 1,000 gallons of heating oil between October and April, depending on home insulation, square footage, and winter severity.
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