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Do you have a property with an oil tank and a furnace? Then, there are a few things to consider before starting up the furnace for the first time this year.
With winter just around the corner, it’s time to think about starting up your furnace again for the cold season. However, if your furnace hasn’t been switched on for months, you should hold off until you’ve had your tank checked. Why? The simple fact is you could be burning money, and no homeowner today can afford to throw cash away.
Do You Have An Older Tank?
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether your tank has been replaced recently. This is an especially important question if you live in an older property. Anyone who moves into a property that more than 20 years old should have his or her tank professionally checked. This is because manufacturers only designed underground storage tanks to have lifespans of 20 years. After this time, they can begin to fail, with corrosion becoming more common. Eventually, once corrosion has progressed enough, leaks occur. If you have an aboveground tank, you need to have checks carried out every 10 years. This is because aboveground oil storage tanks are made from thinner material and corrode more quickly.
Is Your Home From The 1960s?
If you’re living on a modern property, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. However, 90 percent of the tanks that are still in homes built during the 1960s have begun to fail. If you live in a property built during this period, it’s important to have an oil tank check. You may not be able to see any visual evidence of corrosion or damage, but it may still be there. A professional check will ensure there is no chance of an oil leak from either an aboveground tank or a UST.
The Cost To Homeowners
Does your home have a UST that is more than 20 years old? Or does it have an aboveground tank more than 10 years old? If so, you need to be aware of the financial risks. Failing to have your old oil tank checked can mean that a leak goes undetected. If the soil around your tank becomes contaminated, as the homeowner, you will be responsible for the remediation. As you can imagine, the cost of rectifying the environmental damage can be very high. Therefore, it’s very important to arrange a tank check as soon as possible. A professional team can carry out the testing so you will know that your tank is safe.
Older Furnace and Water In The Tank
Another reason to be careful when starting up an older furnace is the possibility of water in the tank. Condensation and leaks through tiny undetectable holes in the tank can lead to a buildup of water inside. If you start up a furnace with water in the tank, the result can be a blowout of your burners. This is very expensive to rectify.
Burning Oil Can Be Economical
It may sound like burning oil is a bad idea in economic turns, however, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, burning oil to heat your home can be the most cost-effective solution. However, this is only if you regularly check and maintain your oil storage tank. Checking your oil tank for corrosion, water ingress, and leaks can save you money in the long run.
If you have a heating oil tank, arrange to have checks carried out today. Here, at All American Environmental, we can carry out testing, tank removal, and installation for your convenience.
Contact All American Environmental we will happy to help you to avoid potential problems.
