An estimated 5.5 million American households use heating oil to heat their homes. Heating your home with oil is a safe and effective manner to provide warmth in the winter but it does come with potential risks.
Read this guide and follow these 8 tips to keep your oil heaters safe.
1. Properly Maintain Your Tank
Your oil tank needs to be inspected at least once a year. During your annual inspection, your technician will perform a variety of troubleshooting steps to detect an oil tank leak or other safety concerns. The technician will then be able to fix any issues you have. This annual inspection is an important part of keeping your tank functioning properly and safely. Proper maintenance will also ensure that your heating system runs efficiently during the cold winter months. A yearly inspection will provide all the parts and maintenance at a flat rate. Never worry about your heating system again and have peace of mind with an annual inspection.2. Have Your Furnace Cleaned Annually
During your annual inspection, it is also recommended that you have your furnace cleaned. This will remove any dirt or debris that accumulates in your system over the year. A good maintenance schedule will help ensure it’s in proper working order. Not maintaining your furnace can cause it to run less efficiently, making it work even harder, therefore increasing your monthly energy bills.3. Use a Delivery Service
With old oil heater tanks, you have to keep an eye on the level of oil to ensure you didn’t run out. Nowadays, modern heating oil tanks have a built-in alarm that will tell your heating oil delivery technician if the tank has been overfilled. This helps to minimize oil spills and leaks. Of course, it is still important to keep an eye on your tank and notice andy oil smell but with a delivery service, it is much less work than it has been in the past. A heating oil delivery service will automatically schedule an oil delivery so you never have to worry about running out of heating oil again. Many people receive deliveries once every 4 weeks. Your delivery service can make a schedule that fits your needs and charge you only for the oil you need.4. Store Your Oil Safely
Everyone is familiar with the dangers of heating oil but heating your home with oil is much safer than natural gas. Natural gas tanks have been known to explode. If you drop a match into a can of heating oil it will go out as if you dropped a match into a glass of water. However, it is still important to store your oil safely. A lot of space in your heating oil tank could spell trouble. It’s best to keep your tank at least half-way full (preferably more) even during the summertime. Space in your tank can cause condensation to form. Condensation is especially common during the summer. Hot days and cooler nights can cause condensation to build up in your system. If your tank is above ground and in an unshaded area it is prone to condensation. After condensation forms on the walls, it drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank. There it breeds microorganisms and bacteria. Over time this becomes sediment in your tank and it can create problems. A clogged fuel line can cause your heating system to shut down. Avoid this by keeping your heating oil tank full, even during the summer months.5. Follow Proper Oil Tank Safety
If you smell fumes it means you need to have your tank serviced. Fumes may be a sign that your oil burner is cracked or misaligned. Your system is probably in need of repair. The chance of a fire is extremely small. Heating oil is a very safe way to heat your home.6. Be on the Lookout for Leaks
The biggest problem with an oil tank is the possibility of a leak. Keep up to date on your maintenance and this shouldn’t be a concern. Do you know the signs of a leak? Read below to find out.- A spike in consumption
- A change in the performance of your furnace
- Your furnace shuts off frequently
- Loss of vegetation surrounding your tank
- A strange taste to your water
7. Act Immediately After a Spill
When an oil spill or leak happens act quickly. First, call your heating oil service provider. Then turn off all sources of flames or sparks such as your furnace. Do not smoke in the area near the leak. Ventilate the area. Discard any clothing or furniture that smells of oil. Open the windows to allow the fumes to escape. Make every effort to seal off any airflow between the spill and your home. Also, keep pets away from the leak.8. Know the Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that is odorless and colorless. It can be deadly. It is a natural bi-product of heating oil. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and confusion. If you suspect you have inhaled carbon monoxide gas seek medical attention immediately.Follow These Tips to Keep Oil Heaters Safe
Lots of people use heating oil to keep their homes warm and generally, oil heaters are safe and effective. Follow these 8 tips to keep your oil heaters safe. Contact us at Sperr’s Fuel and Heating to deliver heating oil and provide regular maintenance to keep your tank and furnace in safe, proper working order.