Even though we’ve entered the hot, humid summer months here on Long Island, it doesn’t mean heating oil isn’t used at all. In fact, hot showers account for the highest amount of heating oil needed for water heating. Additionally, we need heating for cooking and other household activities.
That said, summertime is one of the best times to have your oil tank replaced without losing access to vital home heating on the coldest days of the year. But how do we know when to replace an oil tank?
How Often Should You Change Your Oil Tank?
The timeline for when you should change your oil tank can vary dramatically, which is why it’s so important to have a trusted HVAC professional check your home heating system at appropriate intervals over time. An oil tank could last anywhere from ten to twenty years, and that’s if the tank isn’t suffering from costly defects including leaks and rusting.
How Common Are Oil Tank Leaks?
Oil tank leaks become more common the older the unit is. The risk of dent or puncture damage over time increases, as does the risk of corrosion. It is also possible for the exterior of the oil tank to rust if it is not properly maintained, causing leaks as well. Worse, an underground oil tank could end up leaking for a longer time before the problem is detected, making it an even more expensive problem.
An older model oil tank is more likely to be made from materials that corrode more easily. Older tanks are also more likely to be less efficient overall. An HVAC expert would be able to evaluate your oil tank to determine if replacing it with a newer model would be more cost-effective for the coming years.
Do Oil Tanks Rust from The Inside?
Yes, it is possible for an oil tank to rust from the inside. There are multiple reasons this could occur. One cause could be allowing your oil tank to operate with little or no oil inside. This can cause condensation to build up which eventually settles at the bottom of the tank, which can combine with the sediment from the oil gunked at the bottom and other elements including sulfur and bacteria. When these elements exist together, they can act as an acid. This is made even worse with a lack of oil in the tank as there is no agent inside to act as a lubricant for the steel, furthering the risks of rusting internally.
Express C.O.D Is Long Island’s Trusted Source for Discount Oil Delivery
Since we use less heating oil in the summer months, it may be harder to notice problems developing within your oil tank including rusting and leaks, which could become an increasingly costly problem over time. Tragar Home Services is available for all your home heating maintenance needs. A division of Long Island’s trusted Express C.O.D Home Services, Express C.O.D provides discounted oil-on-demand delivery services with the ability to shop and place orders 24/7. We have over 60 employees to help ensure speedy delivery and excellent customer service. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you.
