Ready For Winter? How To Protect Your Heating Oil During Those Cold Months
Now that the temperatures are starting to dip, it's time to get your furnace ready for winter use. If your system uses heating oil, it's important that you take steps to protect that as well. This is particularly important if you're expecting temperatures to dip into the freezing range this winter. Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your heating oil. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent problems with your heating oil this winter.
Schedule a Service Call
With winter just around the corner, now's the time to schedule a service call. Your heating oil service provider will need to inspect your heating oil tank to ensure that everything is ready for winter. During the service call, your tank will be inspected for signs of damage, including visible rust or corrosion. If your service technician recommends any specific services during the appointment, be sure to take care of those issues immediately. This action will help you avoid malfunctions during the winter. It's also important that you have a new filter installed on your heating oil tank.
Use the Right Oils
When it comes to winter protection for your furnace, it's crucial that you use the right oils, especially where freezing temperatures are concerned. You might not realize this, but the wrong heating oil can cause serious problems for your furnace during the winter. In fact, if the heating oil you're using is not designed for colder temperatures, it could freeze or gel up in the tank. Before you have your tank filled for the winter, talk to your heating oil service provider about the use of heating oil blends. Blending oil will help reduce problems associated with freezing temperatures.
Keep Your Lines Protected
Now that you can feel that winter chill in the air, make sure that your heating oil tank and lines are protected against the freezing cold. First, if your heating oil tank is located outside, install a protective barrier around it. The protective barrier will help keep ice and snow off the tank. Second, be sure that any exposed oil lines are buried. Burying the lines will help keep the oil flowing this winter. If the soil is too hard to dig through, bring in additional topsoil and cover your lines that way.
Don't take chances with your heating oil this winter. The information provided here will help ensure a warm winter and protect against heating oil issues.