The Importance of Heating Oil Tank Maintenance

As the nights begin to draw in and the temperature drops to an uncomfortable level, the attentions of the many that warm their house with heating oil turn to stocking up. However before making that call to your favoured supplier, it's important to ensure that your heating oil tank is serviced and properly maintained. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why it's important to maintain your tank before the winter sets in.

They say that time is a healer, however for many operational products, it's the complete opposite. Time, usage and the weather all combine to increase the probability of operational problems and reduced efficiency. Fuel tanks are no different and neglect will lead to an increased chance of something going wrong. However when handled the right way, noticeable decline in a tank's performance can be easily avoided.

Running an annual service on your heating oil tank is the obvious way to maintain its performance. While fuel tanks are designed to last a number of years, the peripheral parts that are in regular operation have a shorter shelf life and are prone to wear and tear. This servicing will pick up any signs of parts coming towards the end of their life, thus preventing future breakages or faults occurring. Often, the cost of replacing a worn part is less than locating and fixing it, should an issue occur caused by it being non-functional.

Ensuring that all parts are operating as intended will improve efficiency and guarantee you receive full performance. The service industry has reported a growing problem with heavy winters and wet summers corroding tanks and their lines, resulting in lost and spilled oil. As much as 5% of a tank's contents can be lost in this way, which equates to a sizable amount of money, given the price rises in heating oil.

Alongside the personal expense is the potential cost to the environment. Spills have resulted in contaminations that have affected local soil as well as rivers and ultimately drinking water. It is an owner's responsibility to ensure that spills don't occur and if they do, they are liable for its cleanup. Failure to do so can result in large fines and potentially the removal of the tank.

The best time to run servicing on your tank is when it's low on heating oil, often towards the end of the summer months. This is when you get better access to the working parts and can really test the lines for signs of leakages or damage. If the tank is external, it's best to carry out maintenance before the leaves fall from the trees, as this is all too often a cause for blockages and problems. During this season it's important to remember to clear away debris and ensure lines are clean and free from obstructions.

Similar to a car engine, a heating oil tank's efficiency will decline if it's not looked after, so careful maintenance will extend usage and reduce the chances of problems occurring as they begin to age. The small cost of an annual service will prevent larger costs occurring in the future.