Written on: July 17, 2023
Summer is in full swing here in the Finger Lakes Region and between days on or near the water, cookouts, day trips, and other warm-weather fun, the heating oil inside your home’s heating oil tank is likely the last thing on your mind.
If it does come to mind, you may be wondering if it will still be good to use this coming heating season or if it will go bad before then.
You don’t need to be concerned about the heating oil in your tank going stale before winter arrives. Typically, heating oil can last up to 18 to 24 months.
If you have some heating oil left in your tank from last winter, it will be safe to use when you use your heating system next winter.
You can also be assured of the quality of the Bioheat® fuel you get from Hometowne Energy, as it is a cleaner-burning blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) and biodiesels made from natural resources such as plant oils, animal fats, and algae.
Even though heating season is still months away, it’s a good idea to fill your tank now with a heating oil delivery from us and here are a few reasons why.
When your heating oil tank is not completely filled, condensation can form on the exposed inside walls of the tank. This happens more quickly in warmer temperatures like in the spring and summer.
Condensation can cause many issues for your oil tank, including the growth of bacteria which can lead to the formation of sludge. This can block fuel lines, decrease heating efficiency, and even cause your heating system to stop working completely, resulting in costly repairs and possibly with a very cold house and the risk of frozen pipes.
Also, condensation can build up inside the heating oil tank, causing it to drip off the exposed walls and into the heating oil. This condensation is denser than the heating oil, so it settles to the bottom of the tank where it can contribute to the growth of bacteria and sediment. Over time, this sediment can cause corrosion to the inside of the heating oil tank.
If your heating oil tank corrodes and fails, you will have to spend some serious money on not only replacing it but also removing it and cleaning up any leaked fuel to meet regulatory standards.
Keeping your heating oil tank full during the summer will prevent the formation of condensation.
One more benefit of filling up your heating oil tank during the offseason is that you will have enough oil to keep your house warm if there is a sudden cold weather at the start of the heating season, which is common in the Finger Lakes. This way, you can avoid the hassle and cost of requesting an emergency heating oil delivery.
With reliable heating oil delivery from Hometowne Energy, you know that your home will always have the fuel it needs to stay warm, safe, and comfortable. Become a customer today!