freezing heating oil tank

John — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:59:01 +0000

It gets so cold the oil in my tank freezes…

It’s sure something to think about.

Here’s something from RALPH in maine:

I am thinking about installing a heating oil tank in my garage. The temperature in the garage can get as low as 30 35 degrees during the winter. Is this temperature to low for the oil inside the tank. I was told that the oil could thicking up and cause pump problems at that temperature. Thanks

I like Ralph, he’s a proactive guy and he’s right to worry.

But oil doesn’t really freeze. It gels and thickens up so it doesn’t flow through the feeding tube and your furnace when it’s with out fuel shuts off.

The good news is it’s got to be in the single digits for a few days before your heating oil will gel up. Based on the recent New England winters that doesn’t happen much.

But if you’re like me it’s better to be safe then sorry.

Besides the real issue is the bacteria that builds up in your tank from the water build up in your tank during the steamy, humid New England summers.

The water condensates and pools on top of the oil, bacteria and algae spawn and grow and die creating sludge that GUNKS up the inside of your tank and before you know it that tiny little hole in your nozzle clogs up and your furnace shuts down.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again. In fact if you let your tank run low and get a fill the pressure of the oil being pumped into your tank agitates the sludge and lot’s of times that sludge doesn’t settle right away and it gets sucked into your nozzle and your system is down.

If you’re interested in a good fuel additive that really works drop me a note and I’ll hook you up.

Stay safe, stay warm and save money.

John

Heating Customers Speak Out » freezing heating oil

freezing heating oil tank