Oil Tank - when to replace

Ace135

Hi, I have an oil tank which I think is around 30 years old (it has certainly been there for 16 years and if is as old as the boiler then around 30 years). I was told it no longer complies with the building regs due to location and also it is single skinned rather than bunded. Is there anyone who can do a kind of MOT on a tank and advise whether or not it is best to replace it? It looks ok to me but I am no expert on these matters. It is around £3600 to replace with a bunded (tank in tank) version 1000 litres capacity and put it in the correct position in terms of boundaries.
I am unsure whether to just do this (as would hate it if there was a leak / any damage done) or if there is a way to assess whether it needs replacing?
Any advice would be much appreciated - thanks in advance 

lohr500

Is the existing tank metal or plastic?

Either way, if it is heading for 30 years old, I would seriously consider replacing it.

Metal tanks can corrode from the inside out, so there can be no signs of failure if you look on the outside.
A quick Google search would suggest that plastic tanks should last somewhere between 20 and 25 years.

If you leave it until it starts leaking (which could happen soon, or it may last another 30 years!!) then you will have a potential insurance clean-up nightmare on your hands with ground and/or water course contamination.

Our old 2500 litre steel single skinned tank started to leak many years ago, so needed replacing. A job I did myself at the time. Luckily I was able to contain the leakage so no harm done. 

In 2020, the plastic single skinned tank that I installed was partially crushed by a falling tree and it started to leak. Thankfully the leak was slow and I was able to seal it with a soap block as a temporary fix.

The cost to empty the damaged tank, remove it, extend the concrete base, install a 2500 litre bunded tank, extend the oil feed pipe and pump the fuel back into the new tank came to £2900.

That was in 2020 so depending on the scope of your works, £3600 probably isn't out of order. To some extent the size of the tank makes little difference to the cost involved.

 

LinLui

I can't answer your questions but I can throw another spanner for you. If your boiler is that old,  are you aware that from 2026 you won't be able to replace that? I was recently looking at a lovely new home with a much more recent oil system,  and this was the deal breaker - I could be looking at a hugely expensive total system replacement. Like I said,  I'm not an expert. Just working on what I was told. You could spend that much just on the tank then discover you can't repair the boiler and need a while new system. In which case biting the bullet done rather than later may be the cheaper option. 

lohr500

2026? Not as far as I am aware. See these links : 

https://www.installeronline.co.uk/ban-on-new-oil-boilers-put-back-to-2035-as-government-announces-new-net-zero-policies/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/net-zero/how-to-sidestep-the-planned-2026-oil-boiler-ban-heat-pump/

and many others.

Of course, who knows what the new Govt. may decide, but my opinion is that heating oil will be around for a good few years.

Hopefully common sense will prevail and a reduced VAT rate will be applied to HVO alternatives allowing oil boilers to remain for even longer.

And in another ten years, air source heat pump technology will probably have advanced as well, giving even greater efficiencies than currently.

@LinLui does raise a valid point though. It might be worth you looking at an air source heat pump now if your property is suitable. I understand Octopus are offering some really good deals for ASHP installation, taking into account the £7500 Govt grant that is currently available.

LinLui

This was what I was told - I did say that I am no expert on the matter, but since I would prefer a system that I can depend on not becoming a majort problem I walked away.

strawb_shortcake

Our old plastic tank developed a small leak, we replaced with a double bunded steel tank from a local company and paid £1600 for removal of old tank, installation of new tank and transfer of oil. This was significantly cheaper than a plastic tank.
When we were council they used to assess with the boiler service, every year they said it wasn't compliant with the rules but wouldn't move it.

FreeBear

lohr500 said:  @LinLui does raise a valid point though. It might be worth you looking at an air source heat pump now if your property is suitable. I understand Octopus are offering some really good deals for ASHP installation, taking into account the £7500 Govt grant that is currently available.

Octopus are quoting prices for heat pumps that are around the same price as a gas boiler. They said £2700 (subject to survey) earlier in the year. A new gas boiler cost me £2500 last year - If the £7500 grant had been available along with the relaxation on insulation requirements, I'd have probably gone with Octopus. I've also heard of some people getting quotes as low as £1800 from Octopus.

With a ~30 year old oil boiler, it is almost certain that new, bigger radiators will be required throughout, and possibly some changes to plumbing. You may also find Octopus doesn't cover your area..

On the plus side, you can get rid of a big ugly tank and reclaim the garden.

fatbelly

Is there a suitable location that would comply?

I am of the attitude if it's not broke, don't fix it

CliveOfIndia

Ace135 said:

Is there anyone who can do a kind of MOT on a tank and advise whether or not it is best to replace it?

Aside from all the "alternative" (and very valid) options that have been offered so far, to answer your specific question any OFTEC registered engineer will be able to do this for you.  As always, it's best if you can get a personal recommendation, either from asking friends & neighbours or asking on your local community Facebook group if you have one.

You can check/find a properly-registered engineer on the OFTEC website: https://www.oftec.co.uk/  (there's a button at the top of that page to "Find and engineer).

Ace135

Thanks everyone it is plastic single skinned. I've been advised that new tank needs to move 1.8 metres away from where it is now to comply which means middle of a flower bed where 2 pet dogs are buried. I am looking at LPG as another option as someone suggested this but also looking at whether tank could be installed anywhere else in the garden to meet the regs.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts thank you 

cannugec5

We had a similar issue about 18 months ago. 

Problem with the pipe from the tank leaking - investigated getting it replaced. Then learned both the tank and position were non compliant with current regulations. We were short on options of where we could position a replacement tank and new pipework. 

Interestingly neither our regular boiler service engineer nor the fuel delivery guy had ever mentioned the tank being non compliant prior to this issue, but either or both could have condemned our system. 

Our boiler was also old (but still functioning) but we decided to bite the bullet and replace the whole system with an Air Source Heat Pump. It was installed just about a year ago, and we’ve not regretted it. 

However, due to being let down by different people, it is only tomorrow that finally the old tank - with 300 litres of oil - are finally going. 

I’m looking forward to having that corner of the garden available to do ‘something’ with !