Heating Oil Usage and Cost Per Day Calculator

Who this is for

Know when the tank will need filling. Record the litres in the tank from each gauge reading and any delivery, and the sheet works out the litres used, litres and cost per day and how many days you have before reaching your reorder level.

Oil-heated homes off the gas grid, and anyone who has run out in January and wants enough warning to order at a time of their choosing.

What this helps you track

• Litres used between gauge readings, allowing for deliveries
• Litres and cost per day at the price you last paid
• Average use, cost per week and days of oil remaining
• Days until the tank reaches the reorder level you set
• How outside temperature matched the heavy weeks

How to use it

1. Enter the tank capacity, the price per litre on your last delivery, the gauge type, your chosen reorder level and the first reading date.
2. Read the gauge on a regular day and convert it to litres using the tank's chart or the gauge's own scale.
3. Write each date and litres in the tank; on a delivery day, enter the litres delivered on the same line.
4. Litres used, days, litres per day and cost per day are worked out in the browser and the workbook.
5. Watch the days-to-reorder figure in the summary and order before it runs down.
6. Update the price per litre after each delivery, starting a new sheet if you want to keep costs separate.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser
• Excel / Google Sheets workbook

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The workbook uses plain formulas only — SUM, IF, COUNTIF and the like — so it opens in Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets without anything breaking, and every calculated cell is grey so you can see which figures it worked out.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

How do I turn a gauge reading into litres?

Many gauges read in litres or as a fraction of the tank. For a fraction, multiply by the tank's capacity; for a dipstick, use the tank maker's chart. Tank shape means a fraction is only approximate.

What reorder level should I set?

One that suits you: enough to cover the time a delivery takes where you live and a cold snap while you wait. The sheet does not suggest a figure; it counts the days down to whichever one you choose.

How are deliveries handled?

Enter the litres delivered on the line where the new reading is taken. Litres used is the previous reading plus the delivery minus the new reading, so a refill does not show as negative use.

Why does the forecast change so much?

It uses your average so far, and oil use rises and falls with the weather. Early in the season the average is low; the outside temperature note helps explain the swings.