Residential Heating Oil FAQ 

Benefits of Heating Oil in Norfolk, VA

Many homeowners throughout Norfolk, VA take advantage of heating their homes with heating oil. At Bogue Oil, Inc., we have been helping our community get the most out of their heating oil systems. There are many frequently asked questions about this system as well. We have answered the most popular ones here. If you have any additional questions or would like to discuss heating opportunities for your home, give us a call. We love chatting with our customers about the safest and most efficient way to heat their homes.

Q. Should I be concerned about my tank?

A. Your tank is efficient, convenient, and safe at storing oil. It is important to conduct routine maintenance to help guarantee its lifespan. The biggest enemy of your oil tank is corrosion/rust. This only occurs when there is excess water. It is important to protect your tank from water exposure to prevent corrosion from occurring. This means that an indoor tank should have an enclosure, and an outside aboveground tank should be painted and carefully inspected. You do not need to be concerned if you have been keeping up with your maintenance schedule with us.

Q. What should I know about proper tank maintenance?

A. Like all machines, equipment, vehicles, and other items with many moving parts, it’s important to keep your tank properly maintained. A certified Bogue Oil, Inc. technician comes to your house to conduct routine inspection and maintenance. We carefully inspect the fittings, area around the tank, and more. In between routine maintenance appointments, you can make sure your tank stays running smoothly by keeping it free from debris and avoiding any metal objects from leaning on the tank.

Q. What are some specific signs that my tank may be leaking?

A. There are many signs that your oil storage tank may need immediate repairs. Examine your tank for excessive water or dead vegetation around the tank fill area. Check for oil scents in your basement. Check for spills or overfills around the tank or around the floor. Inspect the valves and piping for a loose fill cap or possible vent cap. If your tank is above ground, always make sure your tank’s legs are stable and grounded securely to the tank and floor. Finally, look for wet spots on the tank, peeling paint, and surface dents.

Q. Is heating oil dependable and secure?

A. One of the biggest reasons oil is so popular as a heat source is our bountiful supply of it. Even in the coldest months, we will not run out anytime soon. Your oil heat tank provides your home with plenty of fuel that is safely stored. You can have full control over your heat without relying on outside possibilities like weather, gas pipeline bursts, broken gas mains, or pressure drops. Heating oil is also safe, allowing you to place your oil heat tank anywhere you would like to keep it convenient. Meanwhile, propane tanks require 50 feet of space between them and your home.

Q. Can heating oil go bad?

A. Heating oil does have an expiration time. There are a few factors that can affect how long your heating oil lasts. Keeping your oil tank well-maintained will help preserve the life of the oil in it. Over time, the oil oxidizes, causing bacterial growth to happen. Heating oil consumption depends on the number of people in your household, the wise, weather, your tank’s condition, your oil-boiler efficiency, and more. While on your property, we can give you a better idea of how long your oil will last, when you should refill, and other important information about your heating oil system.

Q. Is heating oil efficient?

A. Yes. Advancing technology and research has made heating oil more efficient than ever. Modern oil heat systems have an efficiency rating of over 90%.

Q. What impact does heating have on the environment?

A. Heating oil has less of an environmental impact than using electric heat and wood due to the air pollution caused by them, low emissions from oil burners, and that oil storage tanks do not pose a threat to the environment. Heater oil is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and biodegradable.