Heating oil might not be the first thing on your mind as we head into June here in Maine – but before you set aside all thoughts of your heating system, there are at least two things you should do to make sure it doesn’t create a problem for you down the road.
The first of these things is to schedule your annual heating system service; now and into early summer is a good time to get your routine maintenance out of the way and avoid the late summer/early fall rush.
The second is to keep your heating oil tank at least half full during the summer months.
You might wonder why we’re recommending that you get a heating oil delivery when you’re not planning to use your furnace or boiler for a while. The answer is that an empty steel heating oil tank is more likely than a half full one to accumulate condensation (water) on its interior walls as temperatures shift during seasonal transitions.
Condensation creates two problems for your heating oil tank: first, it encourages the bacteria in your fuel to grow, which will eventually break down fuel into a thick sludge that will jam your fuel lines and could eventually cause a heating system breakdown. Second, since water is heavier than oil, it will sink to the bottom of your tank where it will speed corrosion – a problem you won’t see coming until it’s too late.
The bottom line: Condensation is bad news for your heating oil tank, but you can avoid (or at least minimize) it by keeping your tank at least half full during the offseason. Topping off your tank now could be a good way to save some money, too, since heating oil prices are often at their lowest during periods of minimal demand.
Need an offseason heating oil delivery in ME to top off your tank? Contact Murray-Heutz Oil and Propane today. And while you’re at it, why not sign up for convenient services like E-billing, Auto Pay, and our Monthly Payment Plan? They’ll make paying your bills a snap next heating season.
Please note: At Murray-Heutz, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our COVID-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep your family and our crews safe and your heating oil deliveries coming during this challenging time.
