I was starting to get worried about oil levels. I seem to have a pretty good "low oil sensor" from the 15 years I lived near Stew's and relied on COD oil, i.e. I called and had it delivered. I'd usually get worried at 50 gal or less - this is with a 550 gal tank initially, 275 gal later. The house would burn almost 10 gal a day on days like these.

My hackles went up yesterday and I was going to call the oil company to see when they expected to deliver (they use avg usage given temps and scheduled based on that). They were here this morning, topping off at 7:30 AM. A little over 200 gal, 275 tank.

I want to see if we can do a pellet stove to take the edge off the cold. Oil heat can barely stay on top of 68 deg, 65 is fine, with outside temps 60-75 degrees lower. Pellet stove (designed for 200 sf in a 1500 sf house) would bring the inside temps 30 deg above ambient. Oil furnace would be fine then down to temps we never see, -35 or whatever.

I also found a few gaps in the insulation based on the freezing cold floor areas. I'm going to get a $16 IR thermometer and walk around the house making notes on where to check insulation when it gets a bit warmer.