For many homeowners, heating oil is a great fuel option for their home heating needs. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, one gallon of heating oil produces 138,500 BTU of energy. If you use heating oil to heat your home, you'd probably consider a heating oil tank for storing this resource. Investing in a storage tank for your property has many advantages. Let’s look at a few things you should be aware of if you’re considering installing a tank in your basement.

Benefits of Heating Oil Tanks

One of the main benefits of having your own heating oil tank is the ability to safely store your oil on your property. This relieves you of the stress of worrying if you’ll have enough oil to get you through a snowstorm or cold snap. Your heating oil will always be ready for immediate use.

Another benefit is that storage tanks will last for decades, in our experience. They are durable parts of your property. When they are installed right, our experts agree that you won’t need to worry about them for many years. The lifespan of the tank will depend however on the humidity of your area and the materials used to construct the tank. However, we advise clients that if their tank is 30 years old or older, they'll want to start planning a replacement.

Importance of Tank Inspections

If you do have a storage tank installed on your property, you’ll need to schedule tank inspections on a regular basis. Professionals at your heating oil supply company can advise you on how often you’ll need to have your tank inspected. The heating oil tank inspection is your only way of knowing if there is a problem with the tank. An inspector can carefully search for signs such as blisters in the paint, pinhole leaks, or condensation collecting on the outside of the tank. These can be signs that the tank needs service or repair.

Tank inspections can catch tank failure early on. This is important so that you can get your tank replaced before a serious problem arises. Tank failure can occur due to condensation, for example. In our experience, condensation forms during the spring and summer months when there is a lot of space in the tank. The condensation turns to sediment and then corrosion.

These are just a few things you should know about heating oil tank installation and care. However, it's a fantastic investment to make for your property. If you’re looking for heating tank experts, please contact Tank Specialists Plus, LLC today.