If you’re like most people, the heating oil you buy is stored until it’s ready to be used – sometimes several months after you purchase it. But are there any consequences to burning it once it has sat in your tank for that long?
The short answer is probably not. No. 2 heating oil (the heating oil you probably use in your home) has an average shelf life of about 18-24 months – which leaves some wiggle room if you have heating oil left over from the prior winter.
If your heating oil is nearing that 18-24 month period (if you own a second home that you don’t use every year, for example), you can still use it – although it will more than likely be less combustible (meaning that it won’t produce as much heat when it’s burned); if the heating oil can’t reach your furnace’s minimum temperature range when it’s burned, the furnace will automatically shut off, and you’ll need to call for service. If you’re unsure if the heating oil is still good – or if you’re sure it has been sitting in the tank for more than two years – it’s probably better to err on the side of caution and have your tank professionally drained and refilled.
Now it’s important to keep in mind is that 18-24 months is an average shelf life for No. 2 heating oil. Several factors can influence that number, including:
Starting out with quality oil helps, too – a big reason to get your heating oil from us rather than a fly-by-night supplier.
The bottom line: if you get your heating oil from a qualified supplier, maintain your heating oil tank, and haven’t left your heating oil sitting unused for two years or more, you should be in good shape when it comes time to run your heating system next winter.
For dependable delivery of quality heating oil anywhere in Northeastern Pennyslvania, trust the pros at Ace-Robbins. Contact us to join our family of customers today! Serving Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Sullivan, and Wyoming Counties.
For most people, buying a home is one of the biggest decisions they’ll make in life. There are many elements that need consideration before signing any agreements. One of the most important factors to take into account when comparing different houses is the heating system available in each of them. This is especially so if the home is situated in a region that’s known for harshly cold winters.
A heater provides the most crucial line of defense against the chill of winter. The most common home heating solutions include electricity, gas and #2 heating oil. While each of these offers unique benefits, the latter makes more sense from a financial standpoint. But beyond cost-effectiveness, using fuel oil to heat a home offers several other benefits as well.
During winter, the demand for natural gas and propane tends to skyrocket, which causes scarcity in the market. And even when there are no shortages, homeowners who rely on these heating methods may at times be faced with other hurdles that affect supply. All these elements increase the risk of having to do without heating in one’s home.
With oil, however, such concerns are less significant. Generally, the supply of fuel oil exceeds demand by far. This means you’re more likely to get enough oil for all your home heating needs during winter.
According to reliable sources, heating oil beats just about every other kind of fuel in terms of affordability. The annual cost of oil heating is consistently lower than electricity and natural gas, especially for larger houses. So if all you want is an affordable solution to keep your home warm, fuel oil would be your best bet. Not only will your energy costs be 2.5-5.5 times lower, but you’ll also not have to worry about varying utility bill amounts.
While traditional oil heating systems emitted lots of smoke and soot, their modern counterparts are much better. According to the EPA, the fuel oil systems used these days perform at 95% efficiency. As such, greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by about 33%. So when compared to other options, oil clearly stands out as the cleanest solution.
When you get into a building heated by oil, you can immediately notice the warm, cozy interior. Because #2 heating oil has more energy content than natural gas, it burns at about 300° hotter. This means that fuel oil can practically heat your home faster and more efficiently than almost anything else.
Fuel oil systems typically last longer than their natural gas and propane counterparts. According to experts, the units can last up to 30 years, or even more with proper maintenance. You can thus expect to save significant amounts because you won’t have to replace your equipment often.
House Fire That Was Caused By Natural Gas
Because heating oil presents fewer safety risks, it’s arguably the safest solution to keep your house warm during winter. Almost all mishaps can be prevented with regular maintenance. Scheduling an annual tune-up greatly minimizes the risk of unexpected malfunctions.
Whether you are moving to a new home or just buying your first house, there are plenty of things you need to take into account. For your home’s heating needs, you may be concerned about high costs and unreliability. So why not consider the benefits offered by a heat oil system? Not only is it safe, but it’s also quite efficient and affordable. With all these and more, it’s easy to see why fuel oil would be the best option for your home’s primary heating.
For an expert that specialized in heating and cooling, contact Ace-Robbins. We offer affordable, reliable, and trusted heating oil delivery services, heater repair, heater maintenance, and much more. Contact Ace-Robbins to address any of your home heating needs. Let our professional and certified technicians help you attain optimal home comfort. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing quality services at affordable prices.
We service Dallas PA 18612, Duryea PA 18642, Kingston PA 18704, Lehman PA 18627, Luzerne PA 18709, Pittston PA 18640, Plymouth PA 18651, Shavertown PA 18708, Wilkes Barre PA 18701, Wyoming PA 18644, and surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
There are many different types of heating fuel, like fuel oil, that can be used to heat both residential and commercial buildings. Heating oil is incredibly popular and widely used in many parts of the country. Many people use fuel oil, or #2 heating oil, since it produces a high value of heat per unit. Another great characteristic of fuel oil is that it can be stored in tanks to be used at a later date. This means that you can purchase it and fill your tank when it is inexpensive during the off season. However, one big drawback of using fuel oil is that if the temperatures get low enough, the oil can end up freezing. This will shut your furnace down for lack of fuel. However, there are easy ways around this.
Heating oil tanks are generally stored either above or below ground. When the temperature drops, generally below 35 degrees, the oil will start to become cloudy. This will, however, not play any part in your heater shutting down. At this point, everything should be running normally. As the temperature drops below 20 degrees, the paraffin that is in heating oil will begin to separate from the oil. It will begin to crystallize. These crystals will then begin to cling inside the fuel line. This will slow down the oil flow rate which will often stop your heating system.
As soon as you have determined that your heating oil has frozen, you need to call someone who can repair the issue. They will be able to get your furnace running again. While you are waiting for this to happen, you need to find an alternative source of heat to keep you and your family warm. A portable heater could work during the day. You can burn some wood in a fireplace. Be sure to put on warm clothes. You can also try to thaw your fuel lines with a hair dryer. However, you need to use extreme caution when operating this electrical appliance in the snow. It is recommended that you contact a professional when you find yourself in this situation.
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Taking steps to prevent your heating oil from freezing is a great plan to undertake. It is much better than trying to fix things after your heating oil freezes. For example, you can:
It is important that you find the best method to prevent your fuel from freezing during the winter. By following the above tips, you can easily accomplish this. Be sure to discuss your options with a professional heating system expert.
For a heating expert in your area, be sure to contact Ace-Robbins. We offer affordable, reliable, and trusted heating oil delivery services and propane delivery services. We also offer heating system installation, maintenance, and repairs. Contact Ace-Robbins to schedule a heater tune-up or to address any of your home heating needs. Let our professional and certified technicians help improve your comfort levels this winter. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing quality services at affordable prices.
We service Hallstead, PA 18822, Wyalusing, PA 18853, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, Monroe Township, PA 18618, Tunkhannock, PA 18657 and surrounding areas.
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Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
The best way to take care of your heating system is to service it on a regular basis. Getting an annual tune-up in the fall is the best time of year to do this. However, when the unit breaks down, effective repairs by a professional can go a long way in extending its lifespan. It is important to note, however, that it is useless to repair or service a heater when it is nearing the end of its lifespan. This is because the maintenance work and repairs will cost you a lot of money and the heater will continue having low fuel efficiency, poor performance and break down on a regular basis. It is important for property owners to know when to repair or replace their heating systems as this will save them a lot of money. The following tips will help you make the right decision when the time comes.
The two most popular types of heating systems are; forced air heaters and hot water systems. A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders found that forced air systems have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years while hot water systems have an average lifespan of 13 to 21 years. When your boiler or furnace breaks down, the first thing you need to check is whether the heating system has outlived its expected lifespan. You can check the metal identification plate on your furnace or boiler to see the serial number and model number of the heater then call your heating company to ask about the date of manufacture. If your heating system has exceeded the expected lifespan, you should consider replacing it.
Depending on the size of your home, getting a new hot air furnace can cost up to $4,000 or more, depending your home and your needs. On the other hand, a new boiler for hot water radiators and baseboards can cost between $4,000 to $8,000. If your heating system breaks down often, you should consider replacing it as opposed to dealing with emergency repair calls. After all, the same problem may recur soon after the repairs.
Old heating systems usually burn a lot of fuel to make up for their inefficiencies. This means that you will not only incur huge energy bills, but also increase your carbon footprint when you use an old hot air furnace or boiler. According to experts, old units that are operating inefficiently have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of less than 70%. Newer models have a minimum AFUE of 80%, which means that you can save at least 10% of your fuel consumption when you replace the old unit. This translates to a decrease of 10% on your heating bill. Please note that some models come with AFUE as high as 95%. The good news is that you will also get tax credits from the government for acquiring an energy efficient heating system.
If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, it will release poisonous gasses into your air supply system. While other problems can be easily fixed, a cracked heat exchanger poses a serious threat to your family’s safety, so you should have the furnace replaced immediately.
There is no point in repairing a heater that simply needs to be replaced. Replacing it will save you money in the long run. Furthermore, you will be able to reduce your home heating costs because your new system will run more efficiently. The adverse is also true. It is more economical to repair your heating system when you have a simple and inexpensive fix. A reputable HVAC company will be able to guide you and let you know which option is best for you.
Ace-Robbins specializes in exceptional HVAC services. We offer furnace repair services as well as boiler repair services. We also deliver propane and offer heating oil delivery. Be sure to contact us for all of your home heating needs. We have been in business since 1961 and since then, we have been providing quality services at affordable prices.
We service Bear Creek PA 18602, Dallas PA 18612, Kingston PA 18704, Luzerne PA 18709, Nanticoke PA 18634, Pittston PA 18640, Plymouth PA 18651, Shavertown PA 18708, Wilkes-Barre PA 18701, Wyoming PA 18644, and all surrounding areas.
Contact us today or give us a call at (570) 836-3232 if you have any questions.
