New Heating Oil Customer Checklist: What to Set Up Before Winter

Just moved into a home with oil heat, or switching to oil heat for the first time? The setup decisions you make before the heating season affect what you pay and how reliably you'll stay warm. This checklist walks through everything you need to address — in roughly the right order.

1. Know Your Tank

• Find your oil tank (usually in the basement, utility room, or sometimes outdoors or underground)
• Note the tank size (typically 275 gallons for standard residential; may be larger)
• Check the tank gauge — what level is the oil at right now?
• Note the tank age if visible (installation date may be on a label or tag)
• Look for visible rust, dents, or signs of leakage around the tank, fill pipe, or vent pipe
• If the tank is underground (outside, buried), note this — underground tanks require special attention and should eventually be replaced with an above-ground tank

2. Verify the Heating System Works

• Set the thermostat above room temperature and confirm the burner fires (listen for the burner ignite, feel air coming from vents or heat from radiators)
• Note the make, model, and approximate age of the furnace or boiler (label is usually on the unit)
• Find the emergency shutoff switch (usually a red switch at the top of the basement stairs or near the furnace) — make sure everyone in the household knows where it is
• Find the fuel shutoff valve (near the burner on the fuel line) — know how to close it in an emergency

3. Select an Oil Dealer

• Get competing quotes from multiple local dealers rather than calling one and signing up immediately
• Verify the dealer holds an active CT DEEP fuel oil dealer license
• Check Google Maps and BBB reviews — look at response to complaints, not just overall rating
• Ask neighbors who they use and whether they're satisfied
• Understand the pricing structure: spot/will-call pricing, auto-delivery pricing, or pre-buy/price cap options
• Ask about emergency delivery — availability, response time, and any premium for emergency service
• Understand any fees: delivery minimums, fuel surcharges, payment terms

4. Schedule an Annual Tune-Up

• Schedule an oil heating system tune-up before the heating season (September–October is ideal)
• If the system hasn't been serviced in over a year, this is essential — an untuned burner runs inefficiently and may develop safety issues
• Ask the technician to perform combustion analysis (measures CO and combustion efficiency) — not all tune-ups include this, but it should
• Ask about the heat exchanger condition, filter replacement, and flue inspection
• Decide on a service contract vs. pay-as-you-go service after the tune-up, with the technician's assessment of your equipment's condition

5. Safety Equipment

• Verify working CO detectors on every level — replace if over 5–7 years old
• Verify working smoke detectors throughout the home
• Keep the furnace area clear of combustibles (cardboard boxes, stored paper, clothing)
• Know the location of your circuit breaker panel and which breaker controls the furnace

6. Before the First Delivery

• If the tank is at 1/4 or below, order a fill before you need it — don't wait for the system to stop running
• Understand your delivery access: is there anything blocking the fill pipe? Can the delivery truck reach it?
• Note the location of your fill pipe cap — it's outside the house, usually near the foundation
• Know your account number or confirm how billing will work before your first delivery

Related: New Homeowner Heating Oil Guide: Everything You Need to Know  ·  How to Choose a Heating Oil Dealer: 8 Things to Check Before You Sign