We’ve already talked on this blog about the many misconceptions about heating oil as a fuel for your New Jersey home. Misconceptions also apply to the vessel in which that fuel is stored – the heating oil tank.
Today’s heating oil tanks are a far cry from the metal behemoths in your grandmother’s basement. To set the record straight, here are five things you need to know about modern heating oil tanks:
They come in two types and many sizes – There are two kinds of residential tanks: aboveground and underground. Most tanks in New Jersey are aboveground, located either outside the home or in a basement or garage. Typically these tanks hold about 300 gallons of heating oil; significantly larger underground tanks can hold 1000 gallons or more.
They’re safe – Heating oil tank technology has come a long way since the 60s and 70s. Polyurethane and fiberglass underground tanks are far more corrosion resistant and have a considerably longer lifespan than older models, as do today’s double-walled plastic and steel aboveground tanks.
More durable construction materials make the risk of leaks in today’s tanks extremely low. Tank leak risk is so low, in fact, that there are no state or federal regulations for removing underground heating oil tanks if there is no demonstrated leak.
They’re flexible – Today’s heating oil tanks offer flexible storage solutions. Available in many sizes, styles, and configurations, your tanks can be customized for hard-to-fit spaces, installed outside the home, or hidden in a decorative outdoor tank enclosure.
They help you keep a reliable fuel supply on hand – With an oil storage tank you’ll always have fuel on-site, and you’ll pay only for the fuel you’re delivered – no estimates and no questions. An oil tank on your property puts you in control of your comfort, with an adequate supply of oil ready for immediate use when cold weather arrives – especially if you take advantage of automatic delivery from your heating oil supplier.
They will probably require testing if you want to sell your property – It’s common to have a tank test conducted on an underground tank during the transaction of an oil-heated home in New Jersey, so it’s important to know what’s involved. Three things to keep in mind if you have to test your tank:
Make sure that a certified tank testing company conducts the test – If you need a referral, contact your local oilheat expert.
Know what kind of tests will be conducted – Several types of tests are possible, including a test on the tank itself and a soil test.
Remember that tank tests cannot test the life expectancy of a tank – Tests can only provide information about the integrity of the tank itself; they cannot predict how long the tank will last.