Every winter, we take calls from homeowners who've run out of heating diesel in the middle of a cold snap. It's a stressful situation, especially with young children or elderly family members at home, and it's almost always avoidable.
The simple answer: Order before you think you need to. But let's get a bit more specific.
The South Island Winter Timeline
March–April: Start Thinking About It
Autumn is the right time to check your tank level and get a delivery booked in before the cold weather arrives. At this point, delivery wait times are still short and there's no urgency, which means you can plan calmly rather than scrambling.
May–June: The Busy Period Begins
As temperatures start to drop across Southland, Otago, Canterbury, and the West Coast, demand for heating diesel picks up sharply. If you wait until June to book your first delivery of the season, you may find yourself waiting longer than you'd like.
July–August: Peak Demand
This is when we're at our busiest and when supply pressures can be highest. If you haven't ordered yet and your tank is getting low, call us as soon as possible. We prioritise existing customers, but early booking always helps.
The 25% Rule
A good rule of thumb: Don't let your heating diesel tank drop below 25% before ordering a refill. This gives you a buffer for delays and means you're never in a genuine emergency situation.
How Much Heating Diesel Does a Home Use?
This varies a lot depending on your home size, insulation, the type of heater, and how cold your winter gets. A typical South Island home with a diesel central heating system might use anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 litres over a full winter. Larger or poorly insulated homes, or those in colder inland areas, can use more.
If you're unsure, look back at your delivery history from previous winters, that's your best guide.
Tips to Make Your Heating Diesel Go Further
Get your heating system serviced before winter, a well-tuned system uses less fuel
Check door and window seals, draughts are a significant source of heat loss Use a programmable thermostat to avoid heating empty rooms
Make sure your tank is clean and filters are clear for maximum efficiency
Set Up a Regular Delivery
Talk to us about setting up a regular scheduled delivery so you don't have to remember to call. We'll keep an eye on your usage history and make sure you don't run short.
Order your home heating diesel before the rush, call RD Petroleum on 0800 440 014 or order online at rdp.co.nz.
