It may be impossible to change anything about the weather, but everyone has the potential for controlling the environment inside their home. When it gets cold outside, most of us turn on the heater and that keeps the house toasty and warm. To do that, it is important to have the fuel oil tank filled with heating oil often enough to keep it close to full all the time.
Build up Of Condensation
A fuel oil tank that is allowed to drop too low stands the chance of developing condensation in the empty space. Since air is made up of some moisture that means the more air space in the tank allows more moisture there is available to condense during cold weather. It may seem harmless that small beads of water may be forming, but those beads can cause rust to start developing inside the tank. It is hard to detect developing damage from corrosion when you can’t see what is going on. It is only when it becomes severe that it is noticeable and then it can be quite expensive to fix the problem. Having your heating oil tank filled periodically can help prevent such expensive damage.
Clogged Lines
There are other effects from condensation of which you should be aware. Microbes like bacteria and fungus can begin growing there. With spores always in the environment around us, all that is required is a damp, dark place for them to get a good start. When that place is inside your fuel tank, the organisms can cover the walls quickly before you even know they are there. Additionally, these microorganisms can get into the feeder lines going to your heater and the burner nozzle where they easily clog things up and cause failure. You may not even notice anything is wrong as the efficiency of your furnace is going down, but you will when it refuses to keep you warm.
Depletion Of Fuel
One pretty obvious reason you should be topping off your fuel oil tank frequently is to prevent running out of fuel. Although your tank may be large, that doesn’t mean it has unlimited storage capacity. When you least expect it, you could be caught in the throws of winter cold with no fuel to heat your home. Your family doesn’t deserve being forced to endure such discomfort. Besides, your heating system can also be negatively affected if you don’t continually monitor the tank and order more fuel before it is desperately needed.
Issues With Delivery
It can be tricky scheduling deliveries at the right time. This is especially true when weather plays a part. Isn’t it ironic that it is harder to obtain fuel at those times when you need it most? Increased demand and closed roads due to ice and snow make it challenging to get the fuel you need. A lot of things can go wrong and if your tank is empty, you could find yourself waiting it out with your family in frigid conditions. The wiser choice is to schedule regular refills and not wait until the fuel supply has been depleted.
Higher Prices
When you wait till the last minute to have fuel oil brought to your home, you may face higher prices when you do. Talk about digging a hole in your wallet that will do it. The time to start checking prices is as soon as you get a delivery and lock in lower prices when you can.
Conclusion
It is vital that you maintain your fuel oil tank as part of your homeowner’s duties. Doing so will extend the tank’s useful life and help to keep your heater maintaining a comfortable climate within your home.
Better Home Heat Council focuses on educating both homeowners and commercial properties about the benefits of heating oil. We cover topics that involve the economical and efficient use of fuel oil. We also educate consumers about energy efficiency issues. This helps consumers pay reduced home heating and cooling costs while reducing their carbon footprint. We support local oil companies of Lehigh Valley that provide a range of services and products. Click here to search for a home heating oil supplier in your area. Many of our oil dealers provide energy consultations for their customers.