Written on: July 11, 2022
Your home’s heating oil tank is probably not what you want to be dealing with right now, what with all the summer fun beckoning.
However, a little thought now can make life better later. We have two questions you need to answer so you’re ready when it comes time to turn on your home’s heating system this fall.
We’ll answer that question with another question: How old is your heating oil tank?
The average life expectancy of an aboveground heating oil tank is 25 years. If your heating oil tank is approaching that age, older, or if you have no idea of when it was installed, it’s time contact Johnny Prescott to start talking replacement.
Age isn’t the only thing to take into account. No matter how old your heating oil tank is, if you see any of the below signs, contact us right away as they are likely indicators of imminent heating oil tank failure.
Heating oil tank failure is expensive. You must not only replace the failed tank, but also have a professional safely remove and clean up spilled oil to government standards. Remediation of outdoor heating oil tank leaks can easily run into the thousands of dollars and potentially five figures. Most likely, none of this is covered under your homeowner’s insurance. That’s why it’s essential to replace your tank before it fails.
If you do need to replace your tank, you can be assured of getting a top-quality one from Johnny Prescott! Our tanks are built to last, with double-walled construction and built-in leak detectors. They also come with long-term warranties.
We understand that heating oil prices have been crazy in recent months. We also don’t know when that’s going to change.
But there are two reasons why filling your heating oil tank ahead of the fall rush may be a good idea. The first is that you’ll be ready when the first cold snap hits and won’t have to worry about running low on heating oil and needing the hassle and extra expense of an emergency heating oil delivery.
Johnny Prescott has pricing and payment options that can help you keep your heating oil costs under control. Summer is the time to enroll in several of them.
The other reason is that a full tank is a protected tank. It’s protected from condensation and the damage it can cause. Condensation forms on the empty walls of your heating oil tank when there is no more oil in it. Because water is heavier than heating oil, it drips off the wall and sinks to the bottom of the tank.
The condensation that forms on the bottom of your heating oil tank becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria that eventually leads to sludge formation as it sits there. Heating oil sludge is a combination of dirt, rust, and oxidized fuel settled on the bottom of your heating oil tank.
Sludge builds up in your fuel lines, lowering the efficiency of your heating system and causing your furnace or boiler not to get fuel if the pipes are completely clogged. You’ll have no heat, and you’ll be stuck with a hefty repair bill.
Condensation that drops into your heating oil can also cause sediment to form. Corrosion of your heating oil tank from the inside out is possible as a result of this sediment.
Do you have questions about heating oil tanks or heating oil delivery? Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help!
