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Clearing the gutters, yard work, cleaning the grill…as the days get longer, and the weather gets warmer, are the chores most likely to be moving to the top of your list. In that instance, chances are you’re not giving much thought to your oil tank. And while it might seem crazy to make sure you have a tank of heating oil for the long, hot summer, hear us out:
A spring fill-up can not only save you from a potentially expensive situation, but a heating oil delivery now can eliminate some to-dos come fall.
While fuel costs are up right now, filling up your tank to protect it from failing is a much better investment than paying for cleaning up an oil spill and a new tank—and the oil to subsequently fill it afterward. Keeping your fuel tank full over the summer will extend its life! But how?
When your heating oil tank sits empty, condensation can form—and that can result in all kinds of problems. For starters, when condensation forms on the interior walls of an empty tank, that water drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank. This occurs because water is denser than heating oil. That water becomes an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms. Over time, it turns into sediment or sludge that can get into your fuel lines and clog them up. This will cause your heating system to shut down, likely early in the next winter season, when we’re in the middle of our first deep freeze.
Sludge can also corrode your tank from the inside out—a big problem that could be difficult to see coming and costly to remediate.
In the winter, your tank doesn’t stay empty long, so these issues don’t come up. Plus, condensation is less likely to form in colder temperatures. But in summer, especially if your tank is outside, condensation will form quickly. Of course, if you’re signed up for automatic deliveries, we’ll make sure you’re topped off for the summer.
When your tank is already full in the fall, you’ll be all set to deal with an early cold snap. You won’t have to fight for a convenient heating oil delivery appointment at the same time everyone else is trying to get a delivery. While you’re at it, why not get your heating system tune-up in the spring? Not only will you have your choice of appointments, but the benefits won’t start to wear off until you start up your system again in the fall.
Additionally, if your water heater runs on heating oil, you’ll need to have some oil in your tank to make sure you have hot water. The largest use of hot water in the summer months is for showers, but your dishwasher needs hot water to get your dishes clean too. If you wash your dishes by hand, you will certainly want some hot water—cold water doesn’t do the job on greasy, dirty pots and pans. You may also want hot water for doing at least some of your laundry.
If you’re an existing will-call customer—or looking for a new provider in Southern Maine for your heating oil needs—why not give PitStop Propane and Fuels a call? We’ll handle your next fill-up quickly and easily. Contact us today to get started!