Converting from Gas to Oil: What you should know
In light of recent events in the news, we have been getting many inquiries about changing from gas to oil. Many people are thinking about how they heat their homes and whether they are doing it in the safest and most cost-effective way. We would like to just give some information on the differences. Your safety and that of our environment is our main concern. With that in mind, we’d like to take a minute to discuss the benefits of heating your home with oil.
Experts across the board agree that heating oil is a great, safe way to heat your home. Heating oil is not explosive. It only ignites when its temperature reaches 140 degrees. It must be vaporized before it will ignite, and will not burn in a liquid state. Dropping a match into heating oil is the same as dropping it into the water.
How about the environmental benefits? As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, the popularization of Ultra-low sulfur content fuel means your fuel burns cleaner. This reduces the number of dangerous emissions, as well as reducing sulfur buildup in your tank, meaning a more efficient burn. This is better for you and the environment, drastically reducing the amount of pollution released into our air.
With Broco Energy, you have choices. You tell us when and how much oil to deliver, and your supply is stored at your home. Typically, natural gas limits your choices, coming from one provider.
With the use and maintenance of your heating oil system, you are in control. Our technicians provide any services you may need. Broco is always quick to respond, and always here to make sure your systems are up and running the way they should be!
If this is something you are still interested in learning more about please inquire with us as to how to switch from gas to oil if you haven’t already. We’re here to keep you safe! The winter season is creeping up on us, this isn’t the time to wait! Call us today to answer any questions you may have, or to schedule a routine check-up for your system.
Whistle While You Work: Why Refusing to Top Off Your Oil Tank is Safer!
It’s a fact of life- we’re all trying to get the most bang for our buck. Our time, space, and money are valuable! We’ve all been pumping gas into our cars and, usually while simultaneously reading the “DO NOT TOP OFF” sign, are trying to get that gauge to read a nice clean, round number. (Admit it… we all feel a little defeated when the screen reads $30.01!) But there’s a reason those signs exist!
At Broco Oil, our mission is to provide you with a clean, safe service. Topping off your heating oil tank could be very dangerous for you, and the environment. Why do we say this? Often times your tank may read 7/8 full after a fill up. This is because during a fill up, oil foams and vapors build pressure and it takes time for those to disappear.
How do we know when it’s safe to stop filling the tank? A whistle!
A tried and true method for oil tank delivery, is through the use of a whistle. Your fuel oil tank is equipped with a whistle located in the vent pipe. As oil enters your tank, the air that is present inside your tank is being displaced through a small vent. As this is happening, a steady whistling noise is produced. As long as your tank is whistling, the oil keeps flowing. When the whistling stops, oil flow is immediately stopped.
Think of it like a soda can being poured into a glass. As the soda rapidly enters the new container, bubbles and foam immediately collect at the top. Before you can pour the whole can, you have to wait for the bubbles to disappear. You know that once those bubbles are gone, you can fill more soda into the glass. But if you continued pouring before they were gone, your counter is suddenly flooded with a sticky mess. Same with your oil tank. If you were to top off your tank before the vapors and foam have dissipated, your tank could overfill and leak causing major issues for you, that are highly unsafe for the environment.
Broco Oil is on top of it! Our trained professionals have your best interest in mind and know how to properly fill your tanks so you can get the most out of every fill-up. If you’re tired of worrying about your oil tank levels, ask us about automatic delivery and we’ll take care of it for you!
Being a family company, we at Broco Energy pride ourselves on making safety our primary concern, for ourselves, and you and your family. What’s the key to playing it safe? Having all the facts! The Co-Operators, a Canadian insurance company, has a great, concise article on heating with oil. “If you heat your home with oil, you should be aware of the environmental damage and health hazards that oil leaks can cause. In fact, just one litre of oil can contaminate one million litres of drinking water.”
Due to the brutal and unpredictable winters we are capable of here in New England, it’s good to remember that, “The valve and fuel lines must be protected from physical damage caused by objects such as ice and snow. Oil tanks should not be installed under a deck or stairs; along with not being easily accessible for inspection, they may be subject to moisture from the structure above.”
Of course, everyone needs to check requirements in their own state, but this article has some great baseline preventative measures to take against oil leaks! Such as:
Most importantly, “If you are unsure if your tank or installation is safe, contact a qualified heating technician to inspect your system.” Broco is your company for quality product, maintenance, and inspection. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions and concerns!
Check back often for monthly articles and videos to help you learn your system well, learn the dangers of a poorly maintained system and prevention of them, and to watch Broco in the community.
