Just wondering about oil tanks

DanHolohan

Does anyone know why they chose 275 gallons as the size for most houses?

clammy

oil tank size

Here's one or two thoughts .Width they always seem to just squeeze through a 28 inch basement door,The other thought is the volume most smaller homes w a 275 usually had a tankless coil and I fiqure that in the off season when just being used for hot water they could maybe get by for about 1 to 1 1/2 months with a delivery.Alot of the oil jobs I used to service had 275 tanks and went at least that long off season but usually got  a oil delivery at least once a month  but a lot of times it would just be a top off.Peace and good luck clammy

Steamhead

I think Clammy's right

the oblong shape appears to have been chosen so you could get it thru basement doors, and the length and height so you could get it around corners. The resulting capacity worked out to 275 gallons or, if you could get away with a longer tank (72 rather than 60 inches) 330. 

SWEI

275 and 330

are both divisible by 55.  Think barrels.  Note these are also the standard sizes of IBCs.

Snowmelt

What

About Roth oil tanks now that we're on the subject, who here took the Roth training course ( about 2 hours)

bob_46

Golden section

The golden section / ratio is 1.618 to 1 or rounded 1.62 . The proportions of the end view of the 275 gal oil tank are 44/27 or 1.62 to one. The proportions of the Parthenon are the same. Coincidence ? Great minds .

icesailor

Diagonal Measurements.

You always have to take the diagonal measurement into consideration.