How to make heating oil and diesel last longer this winter
Planning your fuel deliveries is one part of preparing for winter. Making sure the fuel you already have is stored correctly, your heating system is working properly, and your equipment is maintained is another. For households, this means looking at the boiler, tank, heating controls, and the building itself. For farms and businesses, it also means keeping fuel storage, vehicles, machinery, and generators in good condition.
These measures won’t predict fuel prices or change wider supply conditions. They can, however, help you avoid wasting fuel or dealing with preventable problems.
How to make heating oil last longer
The most effective way to make heating oil last longer is to make sure the heating system is operating as it should.
An oil-fired boiler that’s properly maintained can operate more effectively, while appropriate heating controls can help ensure the system is only providing heat when it’s needed. Using a programmable thermostat, or other heating controls, can help you heat your home at the times and temperatures you need, rather than running the heating continuously. The aim isn’t necessarily to keep the house colder, but to avoid heating rooms or periods when heat isn’t required.
For our domestic customers we’d advise several straightforward heating oil efficiency tips you can ensure around the home. Check that heating controls are set appropriately, make sure radiators aren’t obstructed, and address obvious draughts around doors and windows. Insulation and effective draught-proofing can also reduce the amount of heat lost from the property.
If your heating oil consumption has increased noticeably without an obvious reason, don’t automatically assume you simply need to order more fuel. It’s worth checking the boiler, controls, tank, and property to see whether something has changed.
Small changes are most useful when they’re combined with a heating system that is properly maintained.
Heating oil boiler maintenance
Regular heating oil boiler maintenance should form part of normal winter preparation.
An annual boiler service gives a qualified technician the opportunity to check the appliance, clean and inspect relevant components, and identify issues that could affect safe operation or performance. OFTEC advises that oil-fired appliances should be serviced at least annually, while its guidance also recommends regular checks of the fuel storage tank and associated pipework.
The tank shouldn’t be overlooked either. Look for visible corrosion, damage, leaks, or problems with the pipework, and investigate any unexplained changes in fuel consumption.
How to prevent heating oil contamination
Fuel storage is another important part of keeping your heating system running reliably.
Water can enter a tank through condensation, damaged fittings, or other routes. Because water is heavier than oil, it’ll settle at the bottom of the tank, where it can contribute to corrosion and other problems.
Sediment and sludge can also accumulate over time. In diesel storage, microbial contamination – sometimes referred to as ‘diesel bug’ – can create additional problems if it becomes established.
Regularly checking the condition of the tank or having it professionally inspected and cleaned to remove water, sludge, and microbial build-up can therefore help identify potential problems before they affect the fuel or equipment. Products such as TankSponge Eco can also be used to absorb water – caused by condensation and atmospheric moisture – from the bottom of the tank, without absorbing the heating oil.
Heating oil additives – when might they help?
Heating oil additives UK customers use aren’t all designed to do the same thing, so choosing the right product matters.
Some fuel additives are intended to address specific issues such as microbial contamination, deposits, sludge, or particular cold-weather fuel properties. They should be regarded as one part of fuel and equipment maintenance, rather than a substitute for a properly serviced boiler or well-maintained tank.
If you’re considering an additive, take advice on which product is appropriate for your fuel, tank, and equipment rather than assuming that one product will suit every application.
Commercial fuel tank maintenance
For farms and businesses, commercial fuel tank maintenance is particularly important because a storage problem can affect multiple vehicles, machines, generators, or heating systems.
Regular checks should look for signs of corrosion, physical damage, leaks, water ingress, and sediment. Fuel levels should also be monitored so that unexplained changes in consumption can be investigated promptly.
For larger operations, it can be useful to incorporate tank checks into a wider fuel management programme. Moorlands’ TankPal system can monitor fuel levels remotely and alert customers to issues including sudden changes in tank levels, potential leaks, theft, and water contamination.
For agricultural businesses storing larger quantities of fuel, it’s also important to understand the specific storage requirements that apply to the installation. In England, farms storing more than 1,500 litres of agricultural fuel oil must comply with specific regulations designed to reduce the risk of water pollution and protect drinking water.
Bulk fuel storage maintenance and cleaning
Bulk fuel storage maintenance should cover both the tank and the fuel it contains.
Water and sediment can accumulate over time, particularly where fuel is stored for extended periods. If contamination is suspected or significant deposits have accumulated, professional assessment and cleaning may be appropriate.
For businesses with larger storage facilities, bulk diesel tank cleaning services can form part of a wider maintenance programme. Moorlands provides commercial tanks, servicing, repairs, and fuel-storage support for businesses and farms.
The appropriate maintenance approach will depend on the type of tank, fuel being stored, age and condition of the installation, and how frequently it’s used.
Commercial oil tank inspection
A commercial oil tank inspection can help identify issues before they develop into a leak, contamination problem, or interruption to fuel supply.
Check for visible corrosion, damage to the tank or pipework, leaking connections, and signs that water or other contaminants may have entered the system. Any suspected leak or significant damage should be investigated promptly rather than waiting for the problem to worsen.
For businesses operating several tanks or sites, remote monitoring can also provide a useful overview of fuel levels and consumption. Moorlands’ TankPal offers remote monitoring and automatic reordering, while signalling alerts for potential leaks, theft, and water contamination.
Commercial fuel additives and fleet fuel efficiency additives
For businesses running fleets or fuel-intensive machinery, fuel quality is another part of maintaining reliable operations.
Commercial fuel additives UK businesses use should be selected according to the fuel, equipment, and specific problem being addressed. Some products are designed to manage deposits or microbial contamination, while others are intended for particular fuel or operating conditions.
Fleet fuel efficiency additives may form part of a wider maintenance programme, but they should not be relied upon to compensate for poor fuel storage, overdue servicing, or inefficient equipment.
If you’re considering additives for a fleet or bulk fuel installation, we can advise on the products available and where they may be appropriate.
Make your fuel supply part of your winter maintenance plan
Fuel efficiency isn’t simply about using less fuel. It’s also about keeping the fuel you have in suitable condition and making sure the equipment using it’s properly maintained.
For households, this means looking after the boiler and tank, using heating controls appropriately, and reducing unnecessary heat loss.
For farms and businesses, it means combining tank inspections, appropriate cleaning, equipment maintenance, fuel-quality checks, and suitable additives where they are genuinely required.
Furthermore, planning fuel deliveries in advance focuses on reducing the risk of being caught short when demand or delivery times change, while understanding why heating oil and diesel prices change explains the wider factors affecting fuel costs.
Taken together, the three steps are straightforward: understand the market, plan your fuel requirements, and look after the fuel and equipment you already have.
If you’d like advice on fuel storage, additives, tank maintenance, or fuel management, get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements.
