Oil storage dilemma

BC_5

When I installed my geo system I always intended to keep my old oil boiler as a backup and to cover any truly extreme conditions. I installed a new tank and lines about 2 years ago. Based on last winter, I don't anticipate using more than 50 gallons a year, and I'm concerned about storing oil and getting sludge, rust, etc. The 50 gallons or so I have left is already 2 years old.

I know that in general it is best to keep the tank full to avoid condensation, etc, but at current prices that's just not practical - I could buy a new Roth tank for what it would cost to fill it. Even if I did fill it, I'd have about 5 years worth of oil which I'm sure wouldn't be good either.

I suppose the ideal solution would be to tear out the existing 270gal steel tank and replace it with a much smaller one, preferebly plastic lined. I just hate to do that when the existing tank is almost new.

Are there any products that would help stabilize the oil I have and prevent sludge? Anything I can do to minimize corrosion in an almost empty tank?

Charlie Masone

http://beckettadditives.com/

Robert O'Brien

I

second that! What type of Geo system do you have?

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BC_5

thanks

That sounds promising, I'll pick some up.

I installed a hydronic geo unit (closed loop horizontal)which runs a combination of radiant ceiling and panel radiators. Eventually the plan is to go all radiant, but for now it's kind of a hodgepodge. It did the job, though as I went from 1200-1500 gallons of of #2 a year to 50 (and that 50 wasn't really even necessary.)

As I said I am keeping the old 1-pipe steam system as a backup and for times when I really want a big blast of heat. For instance I set the house back to 55 when we were on vacation, and with the geo alone it would have taken at least half a day to come back up to temp. I fired up the boiler and it was nice and toasty within an hour (did I mention my system was really oversized?). I also like the fact that with the steamer I can run the whole system off a car battery and inverter in a power failure, while the heat pump would need at least a 10kW generator.

In short, I really liked the steam for its comfort, efficiency, simplicity, and style (nice column radiators with marble tops). It just came down to fuel choice - Even with a Megasteamer and near-perfect system efficiency I'd be looking at a $5K oil or propane bill vs. $1K for the geo.