Why Think about Your Heating Oil Tank This Summer?

Written on: June 24, 2019

The last thing you want during the winter is an empty oil tank because that obviously means you can’t get any heat until a delivery is made. But many people don’t realize that having an empty heating oil storage tank in the summertime can also lead to problems—although for a totally different reason.

Condensation is the reason. Empty space in your tank is prime real estate where water condensation can form. High humidity levels create the perfect atmosphere for condensation buildup to accelerate inside your tank. And if your tank is aboveground, outdoors and in an unshaded area, it’s especially prone to condensation.

That’s why it’s best to keep your tank full during the warm months.

What condensation does to your tank

After water forms on the bare walls on the empty area of the tank, it drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank because water is denser than heating oil. This moist environment will attract micro-organisms that live in water. These organisms will eventually die off, but their presence will create sediment at the bottom of your tank. This sediment, also known as sludge, can get into your fuel line and clog it, resulting in a heating system breakdown.

Keeping your tank full during the summer also prolongs its life. That’s because the same condensation that results in sludge can also corrode your tank from the inside out – a big problem that could be difficult to see coming and costly to resolve.

For further protection, Lawman’s treats all of our heating oil with an additive. This fuel treatment helps to prevent micro-organisms from forming and breaks down any sediment that has collected at the bottom of your tank.

More benefits to a summer fill

Knowing you’re limiting problems with your home heating oil storage tank should give you plenty of motivation to get a summer fill. But there are other benefits to filling your oil tank now, instead of waiting for the cold weather to return.

• A full tank guarantees you’ll have fuel for your heating system available when you need it. You don’t want to be caught without enough oil to get you through the first surprise cold snap next fall.
• You’ll also have more flexibility for scheduling a home heating oil delivery at your convenience. That’s better than waiting until fall to request a fill-up—when everyone else gets around to doing that too.

The bottom line: condensation inside your oil tank is a problem, but an avoidable one. Just reach out to your friends at Lawman’s Oil and we can set you up with a summer heating oil delivery. Why not request a delivery today?

Remember: we donate 1¢ of every gallon you buy to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.