Written on: July 30, 2021
Summer is in full swing here in New York – which means your oil-fired heating system is taking a well-earned rest for the season.
But before you put your heating equipment completely out of your mind, we suggest doing two things: scheduling a tune-up and filling your storage tank with oil.
The first of these suggestions probably makes sense: just like your car, your heating system needs to be consistently maintained so that it will perform best when you need it most. But why fill your tank with oil when you’re not planning to use your furnace or boiler for another few months?
For one big reason: it could help prevent an oil tank leak.
The difference in temperature between the inside and outside of an oil storage tank will cause condensation (water) to form on the walls inside your oil tank (think of a cold glass “sweating” on a hot day). When your tank is empty, it makes a build up of condensation more likely.
Condensation is doubly bad news for your oil storage tank: first, damp conditions provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria living in your heating oil; once they multiply, they turn your fuel oil into a thick fuel line- and burner nozzle-clogging sludge.
Second, water – which is heavier than oil – will sink to the bottom of the tank, causing rust that will eat away at your tank. That’s a big problem that could be difficult to see coming until it’s too late, and if you’ve ever been part of an oil tank clean up, you’ll know it’s definitely something you want to avoid.
The bottom line is that a build-up of condensation is not good for your tank, and keeping oil in it during the offseason is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent condensation from forming. Topping off your tank now could be a good way to save some money, too, since heating oil prices tend to be lower during the offseason.
Need to top off your heating tank this summer? We can help you with an offseason heating oil delivery in the Hudson Valley. Contact Downey Energy today to learn more.
