Types of residential Oil Tanks

When it comes to residential oil heating you have several different options available in terms of shapes and types of storage tanks. Here are a few of the different Types of

residential Oil Tanks, what they can be used for, why they are a good option to choose from and more.

Above Ground Indoor Tanks

These types of tanks are capable of storing large amounts of oil, but they are usually kept in basements or other indoor rooms like utility rooms or an attached garage. These are the most common types of tanks and many of them are quite large, standing at around 275 gallons/ Of course there are also much smaller versions as well that are capable of storing around 160 gallons of oil as well as much larger tanks that can store up to 400 gallons of fuel oil as well. The tanks size is

going to be dependent on how much oil you need, how much the furnace is going to use per use, as well as the climate in your area and the geographical area in which you live. If you use your heat minimally and your heating needs are low, you would be better off using a smaller gallon of tank. On the other hand, if you use the heat a lot and you need a lot of it to warm your rooms, space or the house, you would obviously need a higher gallon.

Above Ground Outdoor Tanks

Outdoor oil Tanks are specifically for outdoor use and they can be anywhere within the vicinity of the home such as right outside of the house, at the rear or on the side of the house. These are commonly seen in rural and farm areas where municipality lines don’t reach. They are also incredibly sturdy and strong and are built to stand the test of wind, hard storms, hard rain, snow and even ice. They are also suited for really cold as well as really hot temperatures as well. The most common size for these types of tanks is 275 gallons as well, however, there are smaller and larger versions depending on your needs and wants. If you live in New Jersey and are looking for a company to inspect your underground oil tank or to assist you with installation of a new tank you should contact a company that specializes in oil tank installation in New Jersey.

Underground Tanks

Underground Tanks are becoming less and less common because if it leaks it can poison the soil and everything else around it. These also need to be maintained routinely

so that any leaks or cracks can be known about ahead of time. In a lot of cases people that have these tanks are getting them dug up and are choosing one of the two options above instead of the underground option. If you have an oil spill it can be an incredibly expensive problem to clean up. Many times when a homeowner places these tanks in the ground they are forgotten about and that is where the leaks come from. Make sure that you take note as to where the tank is, what size it is, the last time it was inspected, etc. You should also notify someone else about this information as well in case of an emergency. If you sell your home you should also be truthful to the new owners about the tank so they wont dig in that specific area.

Most of the tanks available today come in cylindrical or oval shapes. Oval tanks are great for vertical installation or horizontal, while circular tanks are usually only installed horizontally.

Storage Tank Materials

When oil tanks are made, they are usually made with one of three options in mind. Steel tanks are incredibly inexpensive and are used in homes across the country. These can be used for both above ground and underground constructions. Tanks that are made from steel have to be put under strict tests, guidelines and standards so if you have one you know that it was made and constructed with the utmost care and consideration. The second material would be fiberglass. These are very tough and long lasting, but they also tend to be a little more expensive. If you have a fiberglass tank you will find that it rusts less, leaks less and has less sediment than that of the steel tank. Not to say the steel tank is a bad tank, but its like comparing a sedan (steel) to a Hummer (fiberglass) its just THAT much more strong when it comes to the fiberglass option. The last option available uses a variation of the two – using a thick double wall construction of composite and galvanized steel to make one of the strongest products around. Its durable, tough. And non-rusting, but its also incredibly expensive.