Everything You Should Know About Heating Oil Additives
In the United States, about 5.5 million people use home heating oil to heat their houses in cold weather. Eighty-one percent of those Americans reside in the Northeast. An oil tank is a crucial part of the heating system for people who use oil. People frequently worry about how to maintain the integrity of their heating oil tanks and home heating oil. Most people who use oil to heat their homes are familiar with heating oil additives, and some of them already use them. More about fuel oil additives is covered below.
Different Types of Heating Oil Additives
Contents
The purpose of heating oil additives is to increase the effectiveness of heating oil burners. By enhancing combustion, additives help your heating system run cleanly and more effectively. There are four primary types of home heating oil in the market:
- Stabilizers
- Biocides
- Water controller
- Line and oil nozzle cleaners
Antioxidants are just one example of the external environmental elements that the stabilizers in heating oil to prevent the oil from deteriorating. The problems that arise from water condensation in the tank are lessened by the use of water emulsifiers. The biocides treat microbial development inside the tank. The fuel delivery line that carries the oil from its tank to the burners is cleaned using some line and oil nozzle cleaners. These cleaners also get rid of any sludge that may have built up at the bottom of the tank over time.
What Purposes Do Heating Oil Additives Serve?
What function does an additive for home heating oil serve? We’ll begin by asking about why additives are necessary. Keep in mind that the crude oil you use at home is refined crude oil.
Because the manufacturers took the environment’s effects into account, crude oil is treated differently now than it was in the past. Additionally, the demand for low-sulfur diesel is rising. Due to these modifications, the gasoline is now less stable and contains more carbon residue. To combat these changes and enhance the properties of gasoline, manufacturers enhanced and increased the chemical makeup of these additives.
Consider purchasing heating oil additives if you have encountered any of the following problems:
- Oil tank freezing
- Build-up of sludge
- High usage rates
- Clogged Fuel lines
The Function of Fuel Oil Additives
As the oil passes through a refinery, its properties change, which leads to the development of contaminants in the fuel as a consequence. Soot, water droplets, dirt, and other particles that could harm the oil tank are a few examples of impurities. Once pollutants are present in your tank, your system will become less effective.
However, additives help remove contaminants and restore the performance of your system, such as a furnace or boiler. Additives make it easier for water droplets to emulsify, which inhibits and slows the growth of bacteria.
Due to the chemical makeup of the additives, soot and other contaminants can pass past the filter of the tank without blocking it in any way. Pollutants can be made smaller by additives so they can be burnt off and eliminated from the system.
Heating Oil Additives’ Treatment of Common Problems
Whether oil additives are economical is a key question. Here are some series of problems you could encounter and their solutions.
Burner Nozzle Blockage
If chemical substances like carbon build-up, the burner nozzle of the tank may become clogged. The burner nozzle of the home heating system aids the oil spray. Therefore, clogs prevent the fuel from being burned efficiently as a consequence. Because these additives frequently contain cleaning agents that remove any chemical buildup, your burner nozzle will operate more effectively as a result.
Extra Oil Tank Condensation
Extra condensation inside a tank could cause the internal parts to corrode and foster the growth of bacteria. By emulsifying the water droplets, these chemicals will prevent bacterial growth. Additional additives can remove more water from the system, preventing corrosion, which could lead to additional problems.
Gelling of Heating Oil
Low temperatures contribute to the gelling of oil. The oil cannot flow readily from the tank to the burner when this occurs, thus frequently blocking the fuel line, filters, and nozzles as a consequence. The fuel’s gelling temperature is lowered by anti-gelling additives. Those who reside in colder climates will benefit from this a lot.
Build-up of Sludge in the Oil Tank
Filters and lines are clogged if there is sludge buildup at the bottom of the tank. This accumulation lessens your tank’s capacity to generate heat and raises the possibility that it will break down or stop functioning. You have a sludge issue in your tank if you must turn off your heat to prevent clogged pipes when a delivery arrives.
The sludge will be dissolved by the heating oil with the aid of an additive designed to dissolve sludge buildup. Additionally, it can reabsorb any sludge to ensure that it burns off, allowing the tank to function normally again.
Negative Effects of Heating Oil Additives
Even though there are more benefits to utilizing heating oil additives than disadvantages, you should be aware of any potential drawbacks that could occur.
All of the water droplets in your system cannot be eliminated by oil additives. Call a professional to help you if you have employed an additive and cannot get all the water out. Please be aware of additives containing alcohol since these will lead to additional problems. If you use a line and oil nozzle cleaner to clean your tank while it has a lot of sludge, it can easily clog. Call a professional right away to prevent further harm if something goes wrong.
Keep in mind that no single additive will be able to resolve every problem your tank may experience. As a result, you might need to utilize several additives. Despite the cost, applying the various additives will increase your tank’s effectiveness and help you save money. Consult a specialist to make sure you adhere to the recommendations for your tank’s best functioning and usage.
Call Lawes Company For Fast & Reliable Oil Deliveries
Lawes Company offers trusted and affordable heating oil deliveries. We are known for our honest heating oil prices and skilled services. Not only that, but we also offer HVAC services which also impact how much fuel your system requires to keep your home warm and safe.
We offer different heating oil plans and financing options as a way to customize your fuel deliveries to meet your needs. Be sure to contact Lawes Company today to ask for more information or request service. Click the link to view our service area.
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!