Heating oil has been a hot topic in recent years, pardon the pun.
Historically, heating oil — or kerosene — has been a popular choice for heating homes in rural areas, and with good reason. It’s been a saviour for those with no access to the gas network, but thanks to its several benefits over other options, it’s now an ideal option for many homeowners. Not just those in rural areas.
In 2022, increased demand saw the price of oil reach a ten-year high. Oil wasn’t cheap, and many people ruled it out. But lately, the market has stabilised.
With heating oil prices in the UK now at the lowest they have been for 9 months, oil is rising in popularity. Here’s why.
Heating Oil, What are the Benefits?
Oil is an efficient and reliable source of heat for homes.
It offers several benefits over other heating options, including:
1. Environmentally Friendly Home Heating Option
In recent years, there has been increased demand from homeowners for environmentally friendly, greener solutions to heating their home. Understandably, many are hesitant about utilising oil.
Oil and the environment don’t often go hand in hand. But, when it comes to heating oil, it’s not necessarily the case.
Oil is a clean-burning fuel that produces fewer emissions than coal, wood, or other fossil fuels.
Modern oil-fired boilers are also highly efficient, meaning that they burn fuel cleanly and produce less waste. Some new oil heating systems allow you to re-burn oil to maximise the heat yield you get for your fuel and further reduce ommissions.
2. Oil Burns Hotter Than Electricity or Gas
Oil burns hotter than electricity or gas — nearly 400 degrees hotter —meaning that it can heat your home more quickly and on less fuel than natural gas or electric heating systems.
This can lead to lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. Think of it as more ‘bang for your buck’.
3. Ideal for Remote Locations
If you live in a remote location, you may not have access to the gas network. In these cases, kerosene is the obvious choice. You can simply fit an oil boiler and store the kerosene stored in a bunded tank in the garden.
The alternative — paying an expensive connection charge and running pipework to connect to the gas network — may be more hassle than it’s worth.
4. Lower Up-Front Costs
Oil heating systems are generally less expensive to install than other heating options, such as electric or geothermal systems. There is a balance to this, as the cost of heating oil can often be more expensive like-for-like than the other options.
However, you do have the benefit of being able to store your fuel for a period of time. The cost of fuel is often dependent on demand and the weather — you can save money with off-season fuel prices. By buying your oil in advance of peak use periods, you can fill up your tank at a lower price.
Efficient Storage for Heating Oil
If you’ve been considering switching to oil to heat your home, it’s clear that there are numerous benefits to reap. Before doing so, you’ll have to consider storage. Oil needs to be stored in a secure, leak-proof container to prevent spills and leaks. For heating oil, the best option is a bunded oil tank.
Bunded Oil Tanks
Bunded oil tanks are tanks that have a secondary containment layer around the primary tank. A tank within a tank. This additional layer helps to prevent spills and leaks by containing any oil that escapes from the primary tank.
Bunded tanks are legally required for almost all domestic tank installations. This also means that If you are due a replacement, your new tank will most likely need to be bunded.
Explore Tanks For Everything’s Range of Heating Oil Tanks
At Tanks For Everything, we offer a range of oil tanks that are ideal for storing oil safely and efficiently. Our range includes tanks in a variety of sizes and styles, so you're sure to find the perfect tank for your needs. Additionally, we offer a range of accessories and fittings that make it easy to connect your tank to your heating system, pumps, and other equipment.
So, if you're considering using oil for home heating, be sure to explore our range of tanks today.
