Question on Heating Oil!

strawb_shortcake

Our neighbours that are still HA had their tanks replaced in the last year, all were put back in the original place next to the fence. 
We had ours replaced, and they happily put it by the fence, for us it's more aesthetically pleasing given the shape and layout of the garden. 
We bought the house like it and it never posed any issues. Though we do have a very stable base to the tank. Our installer did say that the position of our tank was better in terms of leaks as the garden runs downwards so any spill wouldn't come to the house or other neighbouring gardens and there are no drains or water systems in the direction the oil would flow.

[Deleted User]

annabanana82 said:

In my experience installers don't give a hoot about the OFTEC guidelines and will install a tank wherever the customer wants it. 

I have experienced differently.

When we moved into our property in 2005 the oil tank was in the middle of the garden (rough ground) that I wanted to landscape.  When we had the heating and bathroom re-done we had the tank moved.  They would only move it to a 'correct location', including measuring distances to the fence.

This year we had to have a replacement tank.  We asked for the new tank to be in the same place, but turned around 90 degrees.  Again everything was measured correctly before installation.

It was two different companies that insisted on the tanks being correctly installed.

[Deleted User]

sujsuj said:

...? Looks like heating Oil companies delivery minimum is 500L.

Normally full capacity is filled ?? in an year approximate how much oil needed..?  mine is 4 bed.
...

It is hard to estimate. 

We are in a two bed and use very little oil each year (about 800-900 L).  Many other people in our village go through loads each year (sometimes 3 times at much) for a four bed house.

The best thing to do is call an oil company.  Explain that you think the tank is x size and y full, but that you are not sure.  They can arrange to fill it for you either by amount, or price.  They can deal with the fact that you do not know how much oil you need.

Madmel

We must be really tight because we generally use 750 - 800 litres per year in a 4 bed house.  There is a glass with a vacuum float on the side of our tank.  DH pushes the tap in, waits for the level to settle then measures the height of the meniscus in mm (he is a scientist!).  When the level gets below 200mm, I start phoning round and checking prices.  Mostly, local companies are best but in September when we last had it topped up, BoilerJuice won out, mostly because I didn't need it urgently so could take advantage of their lowest price. If you speak to a local supplier on the phone, they will often agree to fill up the tank, whereas BJ prefer an exact amount of oil or money.
We have only run out once and thankfully managed to get a delivery the day before the snow of 2010.  Now, I'm much better organised and try to time deliveries for the summer when prices tend to be much cheaper and often next day, whereas it can be 10 days or more at this time of year.  We do have an open fire in the sitting room which we tend to use in winter rather than heating the whole house, but it was handy when we ran out.

strawb_shortcake

Spider_In_The_Bath said:

annabanana82 said:

In my experience installers don't give a hoot about the OFTEC guidelines and will install a tank wherever the customer wants it. 

I have experienced differently.

When we moved into our property in 2005 the oil tank was in the middle of the garden (rough ground) that I wanted to landscape.  When we had the heating and bathroom re-done we had the tank moved.  They would only move it to a 'correct location', including measuring distances to the fence.

This year we had to have a replacement tank.  We asked for the new tank to be in the same place, but turned around 90 degrees.  Again everything was measured correctly before installation.

It was two different companies that insisted on the tanks being correctly installed.

Maybe just our area then, all the tanks I've noticed have been close to fences.

youth_leader

My draughty single glazed listed building had 14 radiators and I used to keep the heating on low from October onwards, normally using 600L per month including 200L for the Aga.  Glad you got your delivery the day before the snow in 2010 Madmel, our delivery man refused to deliver in the snow as access was up a steep slope.  I've never been as cold, we had to wear coats, hats and gloves in the house, our poor kids were so miserable.

greatcrested

The regs are there for good reasons.

Yes, there are insrallers who will 'bend' the rules to keep a customer happy, just as in any walk of life. How often have we heard here of boilers that have been installed wrongly? Usually comes to light on a house sale when a buyer has the boiler inspected and condemed...

The reasons for the strict positioning rules are to protect against fire spreading, or evironmental damage if a tank leaks or collapses on an insuffient stand.

So it's common sense to install safely.

strawb_shortcake

Our tank isn't quite as bad as I thought, the 1.8 stuck in my head for the distance from the fence, not the 760mm it actually should be. I'm not going outside because its too cold, but I think other than one corner we are aren't far off the guidelines. 
My neighbour on the other hand is squashed right against their fence

sujsuj

Davesnave said:

MSE has an Energy Forum with a sub section for heating oil etc.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/lpg-heating-oil-solid-other-fuels

Most of us with experience with oil have a trusty stick somewhere which we've annotated over the years to compare with the electronic thingy that might be plugged-in somewhere, purporting to tell us how much oil we have. If you haven't a thingy, don't panic; the stick is fine and over time it will become more accurate!

Having established you have lots of room in the tank and may be running low, I might start by ordering 1000litres of oil (probably kerosene 28, but you don't give any clues to what's using it). I wouldn't get any more because at this stage you don't know the condition of the tank, how much sludge or water is in there etc. The previous owners may have left you a pristine tank with years of life left in it, but the chances are against it.

Get the tank looked-at with your annual service, done by someone found through local recommendation. I pay about £80 a year to a local guy I trust. Oil is messier than gas, so servicing is needed more often, but otherwise it's a reliable fuel and relatively cheap at present.

How often you expect Tank clean up? Every year. Sludge is this toxic material need to be disposed carefully ..??

sujsuj

greatcrested said:

Delivery drivers will not fill a tank to the brim. They have to leave a space at the top.

Having said that,you may indeed have a 2500 tank. Is there no sticker on it, or even some wording stamped into it? Look all over!

Like Dave and most users, I have a long garde cane I use. Yes, I have a fancy apollo Watchman electronic system, which is great as a guide and saves going out in winter too often to measure. But as soon as that starts indicating low level, it's the cane I rely on.

To callibrate your cane, get the tank topped up to 'full'. Insert can and mark where the oil reaches. I used a bit of red gloss paint. Then measure off halfway, and halfway again etc.

But as dave also says, you might want to get the tank checked before topping up.

Is it plastic or steel? Any idea how old? Have you inspected it for rust (especially underneath) if steel? Have you inspected the pipe coming out for drips etc?

It's hard to know if the bottom has a layer of water and/or sludge, and how deep so an option while it's relatively empty is to get a contractor to pump it out (they'll bring drums or similar to temporarily store the oil) and check/clean inside.

When you finally are ready to fill to capacity shop around (which you should do each time anyway) for a supplier willing to take an order "To fill", rather than a specific amount. They'll want a best guess at how much, but will put a bit more (or less) in if the tank will take it. But not all suppliers will do this especially when ordering via a group buying club.

Most household boilers use 28 sec kerosene. (or do you have an Aga?)

Is there really no paperwork at all, for boiler or tank?

Did you get a record from the seller of the last boiler service? If yes, that should show you. If no, get it serviced and talk to the engineer about the tank too.

Metal Tank ..I already added photo to the thread. I saw a lone cane next to the Tank, now I know its use. Thanks.