Written on: December 19, 2022
Many customers worry that their fuel will “go bad” if it sits in the tank over the summer. We are here to assure you that, even if you didn’t fill your tank last spring, you don’t have to worry about any unused heating oil going bad and becoming unable to use this winter.
Heating oil typically lasts 18 to 24 months, so the leftover fuel from last winter is still good!
You can be always assured of having heating oil with Hometowne Energy’s reliable heating oil delivery, especially our Automatic Delivery option where we use your usage history and weather forecasts to accurately predict when you’ll need more heating oil and make a delivery before you run low.
Not only does a full heating oil tank protect your home, it protects your tank as well!
When the heating oil tank isn’t full, condensation will start to form on the bare interior walls. This happens more quickly when it’s warmer outside.
What makes condensation bad? Multiple things.
Condensation in your heating oil encourages bacteria growth, which can develop into sludge.
Sludge can clog your fuel lines and reduce the effectiveness of your heating system. If the lines are completely blocked, then your furnace won’t get any fuel and will eventually break down. As a result, you’ll be stuck in the cold and also have to pay for repairs.
Another problem with condensation is that, as it builds up, it falls off the interior tank wall due to gravity. Water is heavier than heating oil, so it will sink to the bottom of the tank. Once at the bottom, the water creates an ideal environment for sediment to form. Over time, this sediment leads to corrosion of your heating oil tank from the inside out.
Not only do you have to replace your heating oil tank if the corrosion caused a tank failure, but you also have to hire a professional for safely removing your failed tank and cleaning up the spilled oil according to regulatory standards. The entire process can be quite costly.
Keeping your tank full after winter ends prevents the development of condensation, helping your tank last longer.
An additional upside is that you won’t have to go through the hassle and expense of an emergency heating oil delivery when winter comes back around. If there’s a cold snap early on, as often happens in the Finger Lakes Region, you’ll be prepared with plenty of oil to heat your home without any worries.
The best way to protect yourself from heating oil tank failure is to inspect your heating oil regularly. The signs of corrosion you can see are:
If you see any of these, contact us right away and we’ll come to take a look at it.
Become a Hometowne Energy customer and get the most reliable heating oil delivery in the Finger Lakes Region.