As the days get longer, and the weather starts to get warmer, you’re probably not giving much thought to your oil tank. After all, getting through the last of the season’s snow and starting your spring chores are probably top of mind.
All that said, it might seem nuts to make sure you have a tank of fuel for the long, hot summer, but hear us out!
We’ve got three good reasons you should schedule a heating oil delivery in the spring—and prior to the fall rush.
While modern fuel tanks are built to last, like everything, they’ll last longer if you take care of them. Keeping your fuel tank full over the summer will extend its life.
When your heating oil tank sits empty during the warmest months of the year, condensation can form—and that can result in all kinds of problems. For starters, when condensation forms on the interior walls of an empty tank, that water drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank, as water is denser than heating oil. That water becomes an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms.
Over time, it turns into sediment or sludge that can get into your fuel lines and clog them up. This will cause your heating system to shut down, likely early into the next winter during the first big deep freeze. Additionally, sludge can also corrode your tank from the inside out. This is a big problem that could be difficult to see coming and extremely costly to remediate.
In the winter, your tank doesn’t stay empty long, so these issues don’t come up. Plus, condensation is less likely to form in colder temps. But in summer, especially if your tank is outside, condensation will form quickly.
If your water heater runs on heating oil, you’ll need to have some oil in your tank to make sure you have hot water. The largest use of hot water in the summer months is for showers, but your dishwasher needs hot water to get your dishes clean, too. If you wash your dishes by hand, you will certainly want some hot water. Cold water doesn’t do the job on greasy, dirty pots and pans. You may also want hot water for doing at least some of your laundry.
Even if you’re taking showers and doing dishes all summer, you’ll still have a relatively full tank in the fall. This means you won’t have to fight for a convenient heating oil delivery appointment at the same time everyone else is trying to get a delivery.
You’ll also be ready for an early cold snap. While you’re at it, if you have a service plan with us, why not get your heating system tune-up in the spring? Not only will you have your choice of appointments, but the benefits won’t wear off over the summer.
One last thought: Filling up your tank to protect it from failing is a much better investment than paying for cleaning up an oil spill and a new tank—and the oil to fill it, right?
Ready for your fill-up? Want to schedule a heating system tun-up. Contact Depew Energy today and we’ll be happy to help.
