If your home is heated with heating oil, you will know that your heating oil tank will last for many years if cared for correctly. By maintaining your oil tank effectively, you will extend its life and improve the efficiency of your heating system. However, there comes a time when an oil tank will need upgrading, either to replace an old or damaged tank or to make significant savings on your energy bills by making the most of new technology. Home heating oil is often the main method of heating homes in rural Ireland, and it is a reliable and cost-effective choice for changeable climates. Here at East Cork Oil, we can provide you with high-quality heating oil and give you the benefit of our expertise to optimise your heating system and make the most of your budget. Read on to find out how to identify whether your heating oil tank needs an upgrade and discover the best options for your home.
Does Your Heating Oil Tank Need Upgrading?
If your home is heated with oil, or if you are moving to a new home that is fueled by oil, your heating oil tank will be a very important part of your home heating system. Although your tank will last for many years if it is maintained correctly, it is inevitable that oil tanks will wear out over time and can cause your system to function less effectively or lead to safety risks. You may need to consider replacing your tank if you notice any of the following signs of wear:
- Damage to the tank. As it ages, your tank may show signs of damage, including corrosion or rust on the outside of the tank. This means that the metal of the tank is deteriorating, and it is important to address this situation before your tank is weakened enough that oil begins to leak from it. Oil leaks can contaminate the soil around the base of your tank, posing risks to the environment and the safety of the local area.
- Visible signs of leakage. Oil leaks can be highly detrimental to the environment and local wildlife, and you should take prompt action if you notice any signs of moisture or oil stains around your tank. Even the smallest leak can cause a significant problem if it is not addressed immediately, and there are laws in place to ensure that your tank is safe, as well as to give legal guidance for any spillage clean-up that may be required. You should be aware of the legal considerations for homeowners who use oil heating in your local area and ensure that you are complying with them.
- Structural changes to your tank. The safety of your tank and your home heating system cannot be compromised, so it is very important to take immediate action if you notice that your tank looks uneven or seems to be bulging. If the pressure in the tank builds up or becomes unstable, or if there is internal damage to the tank, you will need to replace the tank as a matter of urgency.
- An increase in your fuel consumption. Although fuel costs may fluctuate, the amount of oil you use to heat your home should be consistent over time. If you notice that your oil consumption has increased significantly – and you have not changed the way you use your heating system – you may have a problem with your heating oil tank. It is possible that there is a small, undetected leak in your tank or in the surrounding pipes, or that your system is otherwise inefficient. This will increase your heating costs as well as wasting your heating oil and potentially damaging your local environment.
- The age of your tank. Although a heating oil tank will last for many years, it will eventually need replacing after fifteen to twenty years. After this time, your tank will be much more likely to fail and this could cause costly problems for your heating system and your local environment. It is a good idea to upgrade your old tank if it is more than fifteen years old, and you may be surprised by the increased efficiency a new oil tank can offer. Remember that it will be much more straightforward to upgrade your oil tank as a matter of course than to have to replace it in an emergency.
Ensuring that your tank is regularly inspected by a professional and that it is running at peak efficiency will save you money and reduce the risks of leakage. Effective maintenance can help you to prolong the life of your oil tank and protect your home heating system and local area. A thorough inspection and maintenance routine will enable you to identify potential problems in good time so that you can replace your oil tank before it becomes urgent.
Replacing Your Heating Oil Tank
If you need to replace your home heating oil tank, you will need to work with experts who can provide you with a good quality, reliable new tank and safely remove your old oil tank and dispose of it in accordance with local environmental legislation.
When you decide to replace your tank, it can be helpful to understand the process. First, you will need to consult professional tank suppliers, such as our friendly team at East Cork Oil, and talk through your requirements to ensure you are replacing your tank in a safe and controlled manner.
In the process of replacing your oil tank, your professional installers will carry out a site inspection and find the best location for your new oil tank, whether this is on the site of the old tank or in a more effective location on your property. This may require the construction of a level base to optimise the operation of your heating system, and you should bear in mind that your tank will be in the same place for the next fifteen to twenty years, so it is worth taking the time to get it right.
Any oil that remains in your old heating oil tank will be pumped out and stored safely until it is able to be transferred into the new oil tank, and then your old tank will be disconnected and removed in line with environmental guidelines that protect your local environment. When your new tank is installed, it will be connected to your heating system and an extensive testing process will be carried out to ensure that it is functioning optimally.
Once you have a new heating oil tank, you will need to make sure that it is maintained and serviced regularly to extend its life and ensure that your heating system functions correctly. Using high-quality fuel in your heating oil tank will be very helpful in keeping it in good running order and minimising the buildup of sludge or debris in the system, which can prevent smooth operation. Many monitoring devices and alarms can help to protect your tank against leaks or damage, and you can talk to our experienced team about these.
Excellent Quality Heating Oil in Ireland
The quality of your heating oil will determine the way your heating system functions and reduce the risk of damage to your system and your local environment. High-quality heating oil will prevent the build-up of debris and sludge in your heating tank and pipes, and ensure the smooth running of your system. Good quality oil will also help your heating system to run cleanly, maximising energy efficiency and reducing your carbon footprint.
Here at East Cork Oil, we prioritise the quality of our heating oil to ensure that we bring you the very best for your home heating system. Good quality heating oil will ensure that your system runs more efficiently and reduce the risk of blockages and fire. We will be happy to help you with any concerns you may have about your heating system and to check the quality of the oil you are using.
Source Your Heating Fuel from East Cork Oil
At East Cork Oil, we can cater for all your fuel requirements, and we supply an extensive range of oils, lubricants, tanks and accessories for your heating system and vehicles. Our experienced team of experts can help you to find the best options for every situation. We deliver to homes and businesses in the Southern counties of Ireland as your local supplier of quality-assured fuels.
East Cork Oil was founded in 1974 and has been supplying home heating oil and other fuels across Ireland ever since. We supply agricultural, marine and road diesel for use in the agricultural and commercial industries and we are proud to have an excellent reputation for customer service and reliability. Just give us a call or contact us online today to find out how our professional team can help you find affordable and efficient fuel solutions for your home, your workplace and your vehicles.
