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Comfort Line - Questions and Answers

Should I Replace My Heating Oil Tank?

This quarter's question and answer segment deals with the question of whether to replace or upgrade your heating oil tank. How long do heating oil tanks last?

How long do heating oil tanks last?

The life of an underground tank depends on the following four factors:

  1. Thickness of the tank.
  2. Whether it is covered with a coating.
  3. Level of electrical activity in the ground.
  4. Proximity to the water table.
What actually causes tank corrosion are electrical charges in the ground. Modern underground tanks are protected from these electrical charges by what is known as cathodic protection using sacrificial anodes. These anodes are generally made out of magnesium, which is more conductive to electricity and more corrosive than the steel itself. When electrical charges hit the wall of the tank they are electrically directed to the anode, which corrodes, thereby protecting the tank. Cathodic protection has been required on underground tanks for approximately 10 years.

Above ground steel tanks normally corrode from the inside out. While it's very difficult to pinpoint, the average life expectancy of underground and aboveground steel heating oil tanks is approximately 30 years.

If my heating oil tank is over 30 years old, should I replace it?

Many homeowners have not been fair to their heating oil tank. In most homes that are more than 30 years old, many of the major components have been replaced such as the roof, appliances and the heating unit. Since heating oil tanks are generally out of sight, the old expression "out of sight, out of mind" applies. A great number of tanks that are over 30 years old are still in service. If your tank is more than 30 years old, we suggest you consider replacing it.

What type of replacement tank should I use?

Since modern underground tanks are cathodically protected, they are environmentally safe. However, because of today's heightened environmental concerns, we believe that you are better off installing an aboveground tank. Since oil is susceptible to the cold, it is preferable and perfectly safe to install these tanks in the basement or garage of the home, rather than outside.

You have a choice between a standard steel tank or a new type of double wall tank called a Roth tank (see picture). Steel tank designs have not changed in the last 60 years. They generally come with a one-year warranty, tank replacement only.

The Roth double wall tank consists of an inner tank made out of blow molded seamless polyethylene and an outer secondary tank of galvanized steel. It is rectangular in shape and was introduced into the U.S. from Europe approximately five years ago. It comes with a 10-year warranty, including $1 million of environmental cleanup coverage.

    

Because of its double wall construction, the superior warranty and the fact that it is preferred by homeowners' insurance companies, we strongly recommend the Roth tank. These tanks come in three sizes: 165 gallons, 275 gallons and 400 gallons. In addition, Roth tanks can be connected together to increase storage capacity.

I have environmental coverage on my oil tank through Hart & Iliff. Does that mean I shouldn't replace it?

Our ProGuard Environmental and Tank Replacement Coverage provides $100,000 of environmental coverage and $2,000 in tank replacement coverage in the event of a sudden or accidental release. Therefore, if you are in our ProGuard program, you are protected in the event of a problem, whether you decide to replace your tank or not. Once you have been in the ProGuard program for one year, you're free to voluntarily remove and upgrade your tank. However, in the case of a voluntary pull, the policy deductible increases from $500 to $2,500.

I was told that the State of New Jersey has funding available through the Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund ("UST Fund"). How does that fund work?

In the event your tank leaks, you can apply for a grant under the UST Fund provided you meet the following requirements:

  1. Your annual income is less than $200,000 per year.
  2. Your net worth, not including the equity in your house and qualified retirement plan funds, is less than $200,000.
  3. You don't otherwise have insurance coverage for the release. The UST Fund is jointly administered through the Department of Environmental Protection and the Economic Development authority. If you think you might qualify, we can help you fill out the necessary forms.

Can Hart & Iliff install my new tank and arrange for the removal or abandonment my old tank?

Yes, we have partnered with an environmental contractor and can handle the entire job. Call us at (973) 383-1421 for more information.




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