Understanding Tank Sizes and More
Heating oil tanks come in a range of sizes, and most are oval or cylindrical in shape. Aboveground heating oil tank sizes can include 230-, 240- and 330-gallon tanks, but the most common size for a residential heating oil tank is 275 gallons.
Older homes may still have larger underground tanks, with the capacity to hold 500 or 1,000 gallons. Replacing these older tanks with new aboveground storage tanks will increase the value of your New Jersey home and raise its appeal to potential home buyers.
A general industry rule-of-thumb is that one or two-bedroom homes typically require a 275-gallon heating oil tank; three- or four- bedroom homes typically would need to go larger, such as relying on two 275-gallon tanks. However, you’ll need to have your space measured before deciding if any changes in tank capacity are practical.
Here are two other factors regarding tank capacity.
- Current and future family size. As your family grows, so does your fuel consumption.
- Lifestyle. Do you spend long vacations away from home? Do you have elderly relatives living with you who need a warmer house? These are among the factors that will affect how frequent your heating oil deliveries will be– and how big a heating oil tank you should get
Your full-service New Jersey heating oil company can help you find the most suitable heating oil tank and get it installed quickly and correctly.
How Long Do Heating Oil Tanks Last?
Heating oil tanks can last for decades, but like anything else, they eventually need to be replaced. Life spans vary depending on the humidity in the environment, the thickness of the tank’s wall and other factors. When tanks do fail, it’s hard to see it coming, because they generally erode from the inside out.
That’s why it’s a good idea to have them inspected periodically since cleaning up a tank leak can be incredibly expensive. If your oil tank is more than 30 years old, it’s a good idea to look into your replacement options.
Options in New Aboveground Oil Tanks
Today’s fuel storage tanks are light-years ahead of old models, because they are virtually leakproof and have features that include:
- double-wall construction, with an outer tank of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel
- leak-detection systems
- long-term warranties
- sleek designs that can generally be installed in small or unusually shaped spaces
Bottom line: today’s aboveground oil storage tanks provide peace of mind and convenience—in addition to all the other benefits of heating your home with oil! Read more about the safety features of a modern heating oil tank.
How Can I Tell If My Oil Tank Is Wearing Out?
Besides getting periodic professional tank inspections, you should also do your own visual inspections of your aboveground tank because some trouble signs can actually be seen, including:
- dime-sized blisters in the paint, commonly found on the tank’s underside (feel the underside to find them). They can be a sign of pending failure
- pinhole leaks, which are caused by rusting from corrosion inside the tank
- condensation on the outside of the tank, long after a heating oil delivery
- evidence of corrosion on the tank’s exterior
- sagging tank legs
- clogs or restrictions in the fill cap or the vent cap
- signs of spills
Please reach out to your full-service heating oil company for further advice about your heating oil tank.