21 Jan The “Summer Fill” Secret: Why Your Tank Needs Oil When It’s 90 Degrees
When the July humidity hits Southington and the thermometer climbs toward 90°F, the last thing on your mind is your heating oil tank. It’s sitting in the basement or the backyard, dormant and forgotten until the first frost hits in October.
However, leaving your tank near-empty during a Connecticut summer is one of the most common causes of system failure. Here is the “Summer Fill” secret that savvy homeowners use to save thousands on repairs.
The Science of the “Sweating” Tank
You’ve seen a glass of iced tea “sweat” on a hot day at a Lake Compounce picnic. The same thing happens to your oil tank.
When your tank is half-empty, the “void” is filled with air. As the outside temperature fluctuates—hot, humid days followed by cooler New England nights—the air inside the tank reaches its dew point. This causes condensation to form on the interior walls. Those water droplets then slide down and sink to the bottom of your tank (since water is heavier than oil).
Why a Little Water is a Big Problem
Water at the bottom of a steel tank is a recipe for three major headaches:
Internal Corrosion: Unlike rust on the outside of a tank that you can see and paint, internal corrosion eats the metal from the inside out. By the time you see a “pinhole leak,” the tank is already compromised.
The “Sludge” Factory: Water creates the perfect breeding ground for microscopic bacteria that live in fuel. As these organisms grow and die, they create a thick, black sludge that clogs your filters and burner nozzles.
The Winter “No-Heat” Call: Most homeowners don’t realize they have a sludge problem until they turn the heat on in November. The sudden flow of oil stirs up the summer sediment, leading to an immediate system shutdown right when you need it most.
The Solution: The Summer Top-Off
The easiest way to protect your equipment is to keep the tank full. If there is no air space in the tank, condensation cannot form. It’s like putting a lid on that iced tea glass.
The Benefits of Filling Up in July:
Extend Tank Life: A full tank prevents the rust that leads to expensive tank replacements.
Off-Season Pricing: Historically, heating oil prices are often lower in the summer when demand is down.
Beat the Rush: When the first cold snap hits Southington, our delivery schedules fill up fast. A summer fill means you’re already prepared for that surprise 40-degree morning in September.
Is it time for a check-up?
If your tank has been sitting empty all summer, it’s not too late. A professional inspection can check for water accumulation and clear out any sediment before it reaches your furnace.