3 Reasons Why to Keep Your Oil Tank Full

During the warm months of the summer, it can be very tempting to allow your oil tank levels to dip low and only get an oil delivery when needed. For homeowners who use oil heat primarily for heating and use natural gas or electricity to supply the rest of the home’s energy, it almost seems like a waste of money to keep the tank full. As homeowners ourselves, we can certainly understand that mentality. There are several very good reasons to keep that oil tank full year-round, not just during the winter.

1. Prevent Heating System DamageSpace in an oil tank can lead to internal water buildup from condensation. Simply put, water in your heating system can lead to system breakdown, inefficiency, and failure. Water in the tank allows bacteria and microorganisms to form in the tank. Their inevitable breakdown results in sediment and sludge buildup. Then the sediment and sludge can enter into your heating system’s fuel lines, resulting in clogged fuel filters and causing the system to become less efficient and eventually fail.

   Bacteria growth and sludge aren’t the only resultant damage caused by water in an oil tank. Most of us are familiar with the proverb “oil and water don’t mix,” a metaphor that applies here. Water will sink to the bottom of the oil tank since it is heavier than oil, which then causes internal tank wall corrosion. Since interior rust isn’t visible, your oil tank could fail unexpectedly, causing thousands of dollars in damage to your home and property plus possible fines for environmental damage.

2. Save Money, Part 1Simple guesswork isn’t going to tell you how much oil you have remaining. Even if you check your oil levels, there is room for error if it has been a few days or weeks since you last checked. An unexpected cold snap could easily lead to a shortage and necessitate an emergency oil delivery. Avoid the unexpected hit to your bank account and maintain your oil levels.

   Another benefit of keeping your heating oil level at a consistent level is that you can schedule future oil deliveries. This will help to prevent unexpected shortages and curtail any emergency deliveries.

3. Save Money, Part 2One other advantage of keeping your oil tank full year-round is that you can avoid some of the price fluctuations that the oil industry is known for. During the beginning of the cold season, heating oil costs generally tend to be more expensive. You can save some money by avoiding the unnecessary but inevitable seasonal price spike.

Long Term Viability

While some homeowners might balk at filling their oil tanks during the summer months, some good news is that home heating oil can sit in an oil tank for 18-24 months without needing any kind of preservative. In the Northeast, we can almost guarantee that you will need a few refills over that period, so you don’t need to worry about old oil. If you live in a warmer area where you use less oil, at least you don’t have to be concerned about your money going to waste on a product with a short expiration date.

No matter where you live, it is important to keep your oil tank at least half full during summer months. To get more information on oil tank maintenance, give Tragar Home Services a call today at (516) 221-2559. To schedule an oil delivery, visit Express C.O.D. to get started.