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Guide To Heating Oil Tanks: Everything You Need To Know
Cooking dinner, heating the home, enjoying a warm bath or washing the dishes are all tasks we take for granted every day.
The gas network provides the majority of households with the energy needed to keep their homes running, but it’s estimated there are around 1.1 million who rely on oil instead. The vast majority of these properties use a heating oil storage tank that stores supplies of domestic heating oil. The oil is typically used to power an oil boiler, which provides central heating and hot water to the home.
Are you considering moving into a property with a heating oil tank? Do you need to replace the one you already have? Or would you just like to know more about them? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are The Different Types Of Heating Oil Tanks?
Oil tanks are available in plastic or steel and you can buy bunded or unbunded versions too. Typically, plastic single skin tanks will be the cheapest option. Choose a metal oil tank if you’re looking for a more secure option.
While steel heating oil tanks are generally more robust than plastic tanks, they do require maintenance and upkeep as they can be prone to rust over time. In addition, the extra weight of steel tanks means they can be more difficult to maneuver which is something to consider both when installing the tank or should you ever need to relocate it. Plastic heating oil tanks generally require less maintenance, but they can be easier for thieves to penetrate to siphon oil.
Worried about the tank being damaged by weather or impact? The most effective oil storage solution is a bunded oil tank, which is a tank within a tank. If there’s a leak within the inner tank, the outer tank will prevent oil from spilling out and damaging the environment and regulations mean that the outer bund must be capable of holding at least 110% the capacity of the inner tank.
Bunded oil tanks are perhaps the most common type of tank purchased for domestic heating oil storage, and are usually considered to be the safest option. Opting for a bunded tank is a simple way to minimise issues relating to spillage and to ensure that you are complying with most relevant legislation. For example, if siting a single skin tank, the tank must not be within 10 metres of controlled water, within 50 metres of a well or spring, or positioned on hard ground that could lead to run off into controlled water in the event of a leak.
What Size Oil Tank Do I Need?
Oil tanks vary in size and generally store 650 litres right through to a whopping 10,000 litres. The size that’s right for your home will depend on several factors. Try to get an estimate of how many litres of oil you consume in a year. If you can get a tank that’s close to this size, you won’t need to refill it more than once a year. You’ll also be able to take advantage of typically lower fuel costs in summer by filling up then. You may also be able to buy oil at a slightly cheaper price per litre when purchasing larger quantities, which can make refueling most cost effective with a larger tank.
The amount of space you have available for an oil tank may, however, be a limiting factor. If you know where the oil tank is going to be sited or you already have one, it’s best to measure up and choose a tank to fit the space. If you’re unsure where it’s going to go at this stage, take a look at the tips later in the article for guidance.
As a general rule of thumb, a typical 2 to 3 bedroom home in the UK would require a heating oil tank of between 1000 and 1500 litres, a typical 3 to 4 bedroom home would require a 1650 to 2500 litre tank and a home with four or more bedrooms would require a tank over 2500 litres.
How Much Is A New Oil Tank?
A small single-skinned oil tank can be purchased for a few hundred pounds. For larger bunded oil tanks, expect to pay more, with high specification, high capacity tanks costing several thousands of pounds. The price of a new oil tank will very much depend on the size and type of tank that you choose, so it is therefore important to identify your usage requirements in order to accurately budget for a new oil tank.
If installing a tank into a new location you may also need to factor installation costs and any groundwork required into your budget.
Can I Install A New Heating Oil Tank Myself?
The installation of a new heating oil tank will need to be signed off by building control. If you’re experienced in works of this type, it’s possible for you to complete the installation yourself. In most cases, however, it’s recommended that the work is carried out by an OFTEC registered engineer.
The consequences of an oil spill can be serious and there are a number of regulations that need to be adhered to when installing an oil tank for both domestic and commercial use.
Where Should An Oil Tank Be Sited?
Generally, domestic oil tanks are sited outdoors, and there are a number of regulations that state where the oil tank can and can’t be positioned.
When considering where to position a new oil tank, you should always make sure it’s located at least 760mm from a boundary. If you’re planning on screening your tank it’s also important to make sure these screens are at least 600mm from the tank.
The new heating oil tank must also be sited at least 1.8m away from non-fire rated buildings such as sheds and 1.8m away from doors and windows on fire-rated buildings. Keep the oil tank at least 1.8m away from the oil boiler’s flue terminal too.
It’s important to make sure that any accidental spillages don’t enter watercourses so keep the tank 50m away from springs and 10m away from any other watercourses e.g. rivers and streams.
The oil tank needs to sit on a fireproof base, such as concrete slabs, that are at least 50mm thick.
Now that the basics of heating oil tanks have been covered, it’s important to also consider their ongoing care and maintenance. There are a number of regulatory and environmental responsibilities that come with owning an oil tank and here’s what you need to know.
What Are My Regulatory Duties?
To prevent the risk of any potentially damaging oil spills, it’s important that your oil tank is serviced regularly. An engineer should inspect your oil tank when a service is carried out on the boiler. If the engineer notes down any issues, such as a leaking tank or water ingress they’ll give you recommendations on how to fix things. By law, you’re not required to fix these issues, but you’re advised to consider any potentially damaging impacts this may cause to the environment.
What Are My Environmental Duties?
Everyone who owns a heating oil tank has an environmental duty to ensure that no oil leaks into the environment. If any spillages do occur, you’re expected to cover the costs of the clean-up.
Your home insurance may cover some of these costs but will generally only pay out for oil that’s lost through theft or accident.
How Do I Know When My Oil Tank Needs Repairing Or Replacing?
Alongside a yearly engineer inspection, it’s recommended that you also carry out checks on your oil tank every 6 months. It’s also worth inspecting the tank after a particularly harsh period of weather such as strong winds or a storm.
Things to look out for are rust, cracks, and splits as well as any bulges. While you’re there, be sure to check the fuel gauge is fully functioning and that there’s not a particularly strong smell of oil. Finally, check the oil tank’s base is still sturdy. If you notice anything isn't right, arrange for repairs as soon as you can.
To prevent a build-up of sludge in your tank, which can cause pipe blockages, it’s a good idea to have your tank cleaned once every five years. This is a job which should be carried out by professionals who will have all the tools needed to competently carry out this work.