Looking After Your Fuel Tank In Winter: The Ultimate Guide
Some 1.5m UK households aren’t connected to the national gas grid, relying instead on oil-fired boilers. These are powered by stored fuel to provide central heating and hot water. Total numbers of users of this type of heating are estimated at around 3.6 million, with schools, businesses and others also sourcing heat this way.
Here’s our ultimate guide to looking after your oil tank as the temperature drops:
Why Does Your Oil Tank Need Extra Attention In Winter?
Yor oil tank needs extra care ahead of and during the winter to prevent leakages, and to guarantee a consistent supply of heat. Storms and temperature fluctuations can cause damage, while snow or rain can worsen fuel quality, meaning at worst your system could fail completely.
It’s all about protecting your investment and maximising the life of your tank to avoid expensive repairs, having to replace it prematurely or urgently or causing environmental damage. You can do this through regular maintenance.
What Can I Do To Help Look After My Oil Tank?
Check for cracks
In cold weather, small fissures can grow, especially in older steel models. So don’t let cracks cause leaks which are not only costly to clean up but harm the environment.
Loose fittings
Check for these as well; weakened hoses, gauges, caps or filling points, for example, could worsen your tank’s performance.
Soften the lock on your tank
Lock up your tank in winter, since would-be thieves know they’re usually fuller at this time of year. But, so that you can access it, keep the lock lubricated.
Ensure stability
Your tank needs to be on even, stable ground, especially because it gets lighter as oil levels inside goes down. It can otherwise be displaced by wind or snow.
Clear debris
Don’t let snow or ice surround your tank, since the meltwater can get into it and contaminate the fuel. Rust and sludge build-up can clog the system and make the fuel unusable. Don’t have branches overhanging the tank, which could fall in it in high winds or a heavy snowfall. (This also makes it easier to access the tank in harsher weather conditions.)
Remove water from your tank
Use an oil tank water removal sponge if you have excess water in your tank, or use the filter which drains off any water collected from your heating oil, or call in a professional.
Remove water from your tank
Use an oil tank water removal sponge if you have excess water in your tank, or use the filter which drains off any water collected from your heating oil, or call in a professional.
Regular inspection
Keep an eye out for rust and sludge, which indicate potential water contamination, and contact a professional if you need to. Be vigilant for rusting, bulges and distortion. Indeed, check for any signs of wear and tear.
Check oil levels frequently
Any leaks could ultimately result in a complete loss of supply. Top up ahead of winter if you need to.
Get your boiler serviced
An OFTEC-registered technician should do this annually to ensure your boiler is safe.
Frequently Asked Winter Oil Tank Questions
How Long Does Heating Oil Last In Winter?
Typically, the fuel in a domestic oil tank lasts between a year and a half and two years, with proper tank servicing and maintenance. However, remember to monitor oil levels so they remain sufficient.
Much depends on lifestyle, size of your home and tank, plus insulation. Weather conditions and outside temperatures also have an impact, as do boiler efficiency and how warm you like to keep your home. An effective thermostat also controls heating schedules and temperature.
Why Should You Keep Your Fuel Tank Full In Winter?
For a start, doing so reduces condensation, since a full tank has less air space in which droplets can form. The problem with condensation is that moisture from it can settle at the bottom of the tank, where it can freeze and cause blockages.
With a full tank, you ensure a steady supply of fuel, plus you can schedule deliveries for when it’s most convenient or cost-effective. You won’t have to place your order in a hurry in a cold snap.
Can Heating Oil Freeze In Winter?
It can, although not solid in the same way water does. (Equally the freezing point for oil is lower than it is for water.) It thickens into a sludge or gel, when temperatures reach -9°C, clogging filters and pipes and hampering the flow of fuel. Ultimately, your heating system can stop working.
The good news is that this is rare in the UK, and there are things you can do to prevent freezing, including using a heating oil winter additive when you refill your tank to reduce the fuel’s ‘pour point’. (The lowest temperature at which it will flow under gravity.)
Again, keeping your tank topped up will help, as will regular upkeep to ensure there’s no water in there which could potentially freeze, and insulating your tank and pipes and checking oil levels often.
Should I Have My Tank Inspected Ahead Of Winter By A Professional?
If you can, yes. This catches issues early to protect both the environment and your wallet.
It also extends your tank’s lifespan by addressing issues early.
You also reduce any potential dangers to any people who are around, plus your property.
Heating Oil Prices This Winter
You’re no doubt thinking about prices of heating oil this winter, when you have the heating on every day.
Prices in this sector are volatile, and change quickly, so people often do a heating oil pre-winter bulk buy during the warmer months when there’s less demand and prices tend to be lower. It’s also worth ordering ahead of the winter rush and being stocked up in case you need more than planned, or bad weather prevents deliveries.
Factors affecting prices include whether the pound is strong against the US dollar, the global economy and the war in Ukraine. Demand generally, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical events, crude oil prices and OPEC production decisions also all play their part.
It also matters how far away you live from your supplier, since this affects delivery charges.
So if you’re wondering will heating oil prices go up or down this winter, it’s notoriously hard to predict. According to consumer champions Which?, the prices of kerosene heating oil remains high at about 57p a litre. But it has dipped since the July 2022 peak of 99p, albeit with some lingering fluctuation.
Prices vary across different suppliers and UK regions. As with anything else, compare as many quotes as possible, and do this regularly – you can source free online estimates.
How LV Fuel Services Can Help
LV Fuel Services offers cost-effective, efficient UK-wide options for homes and businesses including:
We have all many industry accreditations, and have been in the business for 25-odd years. So environmental and safety considerations, for example, are a consistent priority.
Call 0800 799 9739 or email info@lvfuelservices.co.uk to book a pre-winter check of your tank. We’ll also happily to answer any queries you may have.