New Law Requires Oil Heat System Upgrades
A new law in Massachusetts requires heating oil systems to have protective devices installed to prevent damaging oil spills. (image: freelance-zone.com)
A new law in Massachusetts requires every homeowner with an oil heating system to install safety measures to prevent damaging oil leaks.
The Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law came into effect on September 30 after earlier being pushed back by 14 months to give homeowners more time to comply. It requires homeowners with heating oil systems to install an oil safety valve or oil supply line with protective sleeve.
Massachusetts attorney Richard D. Vetstein explained the new law to boston.com. He said the cost was relatively minor – between $150 to $350, depending on the system.
“The required upgrade is to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect to your furnace. The upgrade will reduce the risk of an oil leak, so by making a relatively small expenditure now, you can prevent a much greater expense in the future.”
Owners of 1- to 4-unit residences that are heated with oil are required to comply with the new law. Installation of the oil safety devices must be performed by licensed oil burner technicians. These technicians are employed by home heating oil delivery companies or are self-employed.
“It is important to note that heating oil systems installed on or after January 1, 1990 most likely are already in compliance because state fire codes implemented these requirements on new installations at that time.”
Vetstein pointed out that homeowners are exempt from taking the leak prevention steps if their oil burner is located above the oil storage tank and the entire oil supply line is connected to and above the top of the tank.
Homeowners whose heating oil systems are already in compliance are also exempt. A copy of the oil burner permit from the local fire department may be used to demonstrate compliance.
Heating oil spills can expose the home’s occupants to dangerous petroleum vapors. But a spill can also cause significant environmental damage and be financially costly to clean up. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection estimates the average cost to clean up a heating oil leak is between $20,000 and $50,000.
“If the leak reaches the soil or groundwater beneath your house, then a cleanup must be performed to restore your property to state environmental standards,” Vetstein said. “Leaks that affect another property or impact drinking water supply wells can complicate the cleanup and increase the expense. Each year, several hundred Massachusetts families experience some kind of leak.”
The law also mandated insurance coverage for all heating systems compliant with the new regulations. The insurance requirement went into effect in 2010.
Consumer Tips to Handle Winter Weather
After a mild start to winter, cold weather is likely to hit the US Northeast, driving up demand for heating oil. (image: masslive.com)
As winters go, we’ve had it pretty easy so far this heating season. Mild temperatures have cut demand for heating oil and forced the Energy Information Administration to lower its winter price forecast.
The use of heating oil, primarily in the Northeast, is expected to drop 7.4 percent nationwide this winter. Heating-oil users are expected to pay an average of $3.79 a gallon this heating season. While that’s significantly higher than last year’s prices, it’s down on the record high forecast by EIA officials earlier this winter.
The agency now predicts fuel bills to rise by an average of 3.7 percent this winter to $2383. Only last month the EIA estimated heating oil users would pay an average of $2492 this winter.
But despite the mild start to winter, the National Weather Service predicts wintery rain, ice, snow and below freezing conditions will hit large swathes of the country before too long, meaning demand for fuel oil is likely to spike.
That being the case, the heating oil industry’s Energy Communications Council (ECC) is offering some simple steps to help folks stay warm and safe during extreme winter weather events.
“The top priority for oil heat retailers is keeping their customers warm,” ECC Spokesman Kevin Rooney said. “The last thing any driver wants is to be unable to deliver oil to a home or business because of a lack of access to the tank and fill pipe. Working together against the cold, ice and snow, we can ensure that delivery trucks and drivers have safe, easy access to tanks.”
The ECC offers the following recommendations:
Make sure you have an adequate heating oil supply. During and after a winter storm, roads may be inaccessible for delivery. Consider automatic delivery, which allows retailers to use computerized systems to signal contractors when tank volumes are low and need to be refilled.
If you have an in-ground tank, ensure that fill pipes are clearly marked and readily accessible for oil heat delivery drivers. A thin wire stake with a colored flag inserted into the ground next to fill pipes can work well. The marker should be higher than the average snow cover depth for your area.
Keep heating vents clear of snow and ice, and ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are installed in your home. If a vent is obstructed, an appliance may malfunction and create a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide.
If oil heat tanks are located behind a home or business, ensure fence gates can be opened and there is a clear path for deliveries. A hundred foot heating oil hose can weigh more than 100 pounds. Clearing excess snow and ice before the delivery driver arrives can help ensure safety as well as a timely delivery.
For above-ground outdoor tanks, large amounts of snow or ice sliding from roofs have the potential to damage heating fuel lines. Consumers should try to safely clear snow or ice buildup from the areas above their fuel lines to limit the chance of damage.
For a permanent solution to potential winter weather hazards, many oil heat retailers sell weatherproof enclosures for outdoor tanks to protect them from snow and ice. This option could save consumers considerable time, effort and money.
After a winter storm passes and it is safe to do so, check outdoor heating oil tanks for damage. Immediately call your local heating oil dealer if you suspect that any hazards exist. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
The ECC is comprised of the New England Fuel Institute, the Delaware Valley Fuel Dealers’ Association, the Empire State Petroleum Association, the Massachusetts Oilheat Council, the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, Oil Heat Comfort of Long Island, the New York Oil Heating Association, Inc., and the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, and is funded by NORA.
Heating Oil Company Acquitted in Oil Spill Case
A heating oil company has been cleared of allegations its contractor overfilled a home heating oil tank and flooded a basement with 230 gallons of oil. (image: kulr8.com)
A Massachusetts heating oil company has been acquitted of negligence charges following a home heating oil spill in New Hampshire.
Haffner’s oil company was found not liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in contamination to a Salem home, eagletribune.com reported. The property was damaged by an oil spill in 2007 when 230 gallons of home fuel oil spilled into a basement.
The property owners, Michael and Suzanne Demers, claimed the spill was caused by a Haffner’s contractor overfilling during a delivery. But the company claimed the spill was the result of a faulty tank and piping.
The Demers brought a lawsuit seeking $225,000 for damage to their property and another $160,000 in living expenses. But the negligence charges were thrown out after a week-long trial in Rockingham Superior Court last week.
Michael Demers said the verdict was an injustice. After the spill the home was so badly contaminated the family spent 28 months living in a hotel before moving into a 70-foot mobile home.
Mr Demers said he and his mother were out of money and the home still reeked of oil with extensive mold damage.
“Something went wrong and my mother is the victim here,” Demers said. “The only other alternative is my mother is going to have to file for bankruptcy.”
The state Department of Environmental Services ordered Haffner’s to pay for the post-spill cleanup. Haffner’s attorney said the company had spent about $400,000 on the work.
DES officials told the court the Demers could have safely returned home two years ago. However Mr Demers said excavation done to remove the contamination from beneath the house had cracked the foundations, making it unsafe.
Heating oil spills can lump homeowners with significant costs Depending on the severity and amount of contaminated earth that must be removed, remediation can cost in excess of $50,000.
Oil is considered a hazardous substance and spills must be cleaned up by licensed professionals according to strict environmental regulations. The oil can harm bird and aquatic life, contaminate waterways and pose a human health risk.
As oil tanks can corrode over time, it’s important to have old tanks regularly serviced to check for faults and watch out for signs of a leak. These can include rapidly falling oil levels, oil odours or dead plant life near your tank.
New York Politicians Target Dirty Heating Oil
Dirty heating oil boilers in New York City are thought to contribute to 3000 deaths each year. The most polluting varieties of heat fuel are due to be phased out by 2030. (image: umagoya.net)
As New York building owners prepare for the phase out of dirty heating oil boilers, local politicians are calling for an aid scheme to ease the financial pain.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer wants the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to fund a grants system to help landlords cover the cost of installing new boilers that don’t belch out dirty fuel, dnainfo.com reported.
About 10,000 New York buildings currently burn dirty no 2 and no 4 heating oil – including more than 200 boilers in Manhattan. The oils contribute to thousands of deaths each year.
“This is a health emergency,” Stringer said.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unannounced earlier this year the city would phase out the dirty-burning heat oils by 2030 to reduce respiratory problems associated with their emissions. Affected building owners would be encouraged to switch to cleaner-burning no 2 oil or natural gas.
There are three kinds of home heating oil, but only the cleanest-burning, low-sulfur variety – no 2 heating oil – is commonly used in people’s homes. No 4 and no 6 heating oil fuels comprise the refinery process’s soot-laden remains and produce dangerous black smoke containing particulates and sulfur dioxide. They are still used in many schools and apartment buildings but are also being phased out in other states and cities.
A report by Stringer’s office released in June warned that more than 60 percent of the buildings that need to replace dirty oil boilers, at a cost of up to $200,000, are rent-controlled and inhabited by low-income tenants who can’t afford to pay.
“We need a creative approach to encourage owners of rent-regulated buildings to replace these boilers with cleaner alternatives, and we need elected officials in Albany who are dedicated to the health and welfare of our constituents and their environment,” Stringer said.
Under his proposal, the cost of conversion would be covered up to 100 percent using grants funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and other grants and tax incentives.
State Assembly Democrat candidate Dan Quart is backing Stringer’s call, and vowed last month to crackdown on dirty heating oil furnaces if he wins an Upper East Side special election.
“The people of the East Side of Manhattan deserve better,” Quart said.
Heating Oil Customer Awarded $100k in Spill Damages
A botched home heating oil delivery flooded a woman's basement with 400 gallons of fuel. The home later had to be demolished. (image: blog.fleetowner.com)
A Detroit woman whose home had to be demolished after an accidental heating oil spill has been awarded $100,000 for mental distress, chicagotribune.com reported.
The payment order was upheld by the Michigan Appeals Court last week after the heating oil company, High Pointe Oil, argued the plaintiff was not entitled to sue for non-economic damages. She had already been awarded a $175,000 insurance payout.
Beckie Price of DeWitt was forced to temporarily move in with her parents after a heating oil delivery-man accidentally flooded her basement with 400 gallons of oil in November 2007.
The contractor mistakenly pumped heat fuel into a pipe that was no longer attached to a tank in Price’s basement, the court heard. She had switched to a propane furnace a year earlier and told the company to take her off its customer database.
Oil leaked into soil below Price’s home – where she had lived since 1975 – and the house had to be demolished. Price was forced to sleep on her parents’ couch and had no permanent home for two years.
“It’s rather embarrassing to be 50-some-years-old and have to move back in with mom and dad,” Price, 55, said at trial.
Though relatively rare, home heating oil spills can have serious environmental consequences and dangerous health effects. The oil is considered a hazardous substance and must be cleaned up by licensed professionals according to stringent state and federal regulations.
A leaking home oil tank can be costly to remedy, as the oil often seeps into the soil and may require large areas of earth to be excavated as part of the clean-up at the homeowner’s expense. It’s important to check old tanks for signs of deterioration and have them regularly inspected.
Though High Pointe Oil had appealed the $100,000 emotional distress order, the Appeals Court ruled the payment was appropriate because a house was more than just a home.
“Authors and poets alike wax philosophical about the unique value of a home, which often provides as much if not more feelings of emotion and memories as it does shelter,” the court ruled in affirming an earlier jury’s award to Price.
The impact of losing real estate could be different than simply losing personal possessions, the judges said.
Dealing with the consequences caused by the loss of, or severe damage to, one’s home and relocating or rebuilding also often involves considerable time and energy in addition to stress.
Price’s attorney, James Graves, said the saga had been a long ordeal for her and “very difficult to say the least.”
Heating Oil Company Fined $15k For Oil Spill
Using an insured, licensed oil dealer will protect homeowners from the vast majority of potential liability in the case of a home heating oil delivery spill. (image: heatingoil.com)
A Boston heating oil company has been fined more than $15,000 after flooding a basement with heat fuel, thebostonchannel.com reported this week.
A technicians working for Dorchester-based Brown Oil Company flooded the basement of a multi-family home in Boston with 92 gallons of heating oil, Massachusetts environmental officials said. The incident happened on January 26 and was the result of human error.
By law, companies must notify the Department of Environmental Protection within two hours of any spill. However, the MassDEP said the company did not alert authorities for five days. To make matters worse, the company downplayed the incident, initially saying the spill only involved 20 gallons
Heating oil spills can cause serious environmental harm if they seep into waterways, polluting streams, bird and aquatic life. They also pose health risks to humans from toxic fumes or drinking water contamination.
The oil is considered a hazardous material and must be cleaned up by licensed professionals according to stringent state regulations. It can cost upwards of $50,000 to remedy a spill.
Most home oil spills occur during filling by contractors during botched oil deliveries. Using an insured, licensed oil dealer will protect homeowners from the vast majority of potential liability. But spills can also be caused by old, leaking tanks.
“The spill itself was attributed to an error by the delivery attendant who connected to the wrong house, an unfortunate, but manageable incident,” said MassDEP Northeast regional office director Richard Chalpin.
Surge in Heating Oil Thefts Reported in UK
A surge in heating oil thefts in the UK has sparked police warnings to consumers to be vigilant about tank security. (image: cumbriacrack.com)
British authorities are reporting a surge in the number of heating oil thefts as global oil prices soar.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show a 4 percent jump in reported heating oil thefts during 2010 to 2400 cases, openPR.com reports.
Devon and Cornwall had the most cases (836) and Northern Island – which has the highest prevalence of heating oil use in the country – had the second highest tally (727).
Crude prices have risen 40 percent in the last year and heating oil prices have jumped by 55 percent due to a combination of geopolitical events, surging international demand from the likes of China and a falling US dollar. The freezing winter just endured by Europe and North America also saw prices spike as demand rose.
Heating oil thefts have also been reported in the US since prices hit record levels in 2008, but they are far more common in the UK. Earlier this year a group of farmers in Essex resorted to hiring private security firms to watch their properties after a spate of thefts of fuel and machinery. Only last month British police warned over 1.5 million rural residents to be extra vigilant to the risk of heating oil theft, recommending homeowners increase security by fitting tank alarms.
Sgt Richard Crosby, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said heating oil theft was a difficult crime to detect.
“The key is prevention - using extra locks, security lighting, keeping oil tanks near houses and asking neighbors to keep a watch on your home.”
There are numerous locking and security devices on the market for heating oil tanks. It is now possible to have electric devices fitted to your tanks, which emit a siren alert when fuel levels drop dramatically, signaling a possible leak or theft.
There is a huge array of heating oil tank security devices on the market to protect you from thieves. (image: emergencyheatingoil.co.uk)
UK heating oil tank dealer TankDepot.co.uk says it is not surprising to see a surge in heating oil thefts when prices are near-record levels.
“As the price of any commodity increases, so too does its attractiveness to criminals,” says the company’s technical director Steve Beech. “Heating oil is no different in this regard. Given historically high energy prices during the past few years, it is hardly surprising that the number of reported incidents continues to increase.”
However, he notes that transporting the commodity is difficult for world-be thieves and suspiciously cheap fuel oil has a limited resale market.
“That said, it makes sense for fuel oil and heating oil users not to be complacent and to make the criminal’s life as difficult as possible. Fuel tank manufacturers and oil equipment suppliers have been quick to respond to increased reports of fuel oil thefts and there is a wide range of locking devices and alarms available.”
Anyone concerned about heating oil theft should contact their local police force for more information on how to minimize the risk of fuel theft or speak to their heating oil dealer.
Mayor Touts NYC Clean Heating Oil Mandate at Earth Day Event
Mayor Bloomberg outlined future plans for the PlaNYC initiative, which includes a phasing out of dirty number 4 and number 6 heating oils by 2030. (image: flickr.com via observer.com)
On Friday, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg drew fresh attention to the city’s planned phase-out of inefficient and dirty-burning number 4 and number 6 heating oils at an event celebrating Earth Day. The mayor’s event at a Harlem performing arts space was primarily a progress update on the city’s PlaNYC: A Greener, Greater New York initiative, but included a detailed rundown of the clean heating oil plan, called the Clean Heat Campaign. According to a press release from the mayor’s office,
The City has today adopted a rule that phases out the use of heavy heating oils and will accelerate conversion to cleaner fuels like natural gas and low-sulfur #2 oil through a combination of incentives, streamlined permitting, education and collective action.
The event marked the enactment of clean heating oil rules that were introduced in January of this year aimed at phasing out the use of number 6 heating oil in New York City by 2015 and the use of number 4 heating oil by 2030. Heating oils number 4 and 6 are known as residual fuels, and constitute the sticky and soot-laden remains of the refining process. The black smoke emitted by burners fueled by number 4 and 6 oils is full of particulates and sulfur dioxide, both of which are extremely harmful to the respiratory health of local residents.
The city is encouraging building owners to switch their heating systems to run on natural gas or low-sulfur number 2 heating oil, the fuel utilized by most residential heating oil consumers. Under a separate mandate signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg last summer, all heating oil burned in New York City will have to contain 1,500 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur or less and at least 2 percent biodiesel beginning in October of this year.
New Device Could Reduce Home Heating Oil Consumption
The Apollo Smart electronic heating oil tank and usage monitor could deliver lower bills to consumers by informing them of their usage habits. (image: dunravensystems.com)
A new electronic device promises to reduce heating oil consumption by up to 15 percent by accurately monitoring energy use and environmentally damaging carbon emissions.
Its designers say the device will save homeowners money and reduce “fuel poverty”, as low-income households struggle to pay rising winter heating costs.
It could also prove useful for heating oil dealers by reducing instances of dry tanks and making for happier heating oil users.
Dunraven Systems Ltd is about launch Apollo Smart in the UK, which it bills as the world’s first energy monitor for oil heating systems, the British heating oil site oilfiredup reported on Wednesday.
While such devices are already available for electrical energy, this is the first that will gauge home heating oil consumption, carbon emissions and energy costs, the company says. According to a company press release, electronic energy monitors have transformed energy consumption in millions of homes across Europe, allowing customers to know exactly how much energy they are using and how much they are spending warming their homes. But until now, the technology has not been available to monitor residential heating oil systems.
The device consists of a battery-powered transmitter, which fits to the storage tank. It connects wirelessly to a plug-in electrical receiver featuring an LCD display.
Dunraven Systems managing director Gerry Jones said the system accurately monitors a home’s heating oil consumption, allowing consumers to monitor average daily, weekly, monthly and yearly energy costs and CO2 emissions.
It will alert the homeowner when their heating oil is running low, giving a precise number of “days to empty” to ensure customers never forget to fill up. This is displayed in both liters remaining and as a percentage of the tank’s capacity. The device also displays real time temperature information and cold weather alerts.
Jones said the system would save homeowners money by allowing them to accurately gauge how much energy they used. By better understanding their energy use and heating oil consumption patterns, consumers could take practical steps to control it and reduce costs.
Research by the UK government showed electricity customers using similar devices saved between 5 and 15 percent on energy costs within 12 months. Jones expressed optimism that the Apollo Smart device would afford users similar cost savings and additional benefits:
We expect that similar reductions in energy costs, fuel consumption and carbon emissions will be achievable with Apollo Smart. At a time when reducing emissions and tackling fuel poverty [have] never been higher on the agenda, Apollo Smart is uniquely positioned to reduce carbon output, enhance energy efficiency and reduce fuel costs at 1.7 million heating oil installations across Great Britain and Ireland.
The device is due to be unveiled in Britain this week, and will be rolled out in time for next winter. But there is no word yet on whether it will be available in the US.
If the devices come on-stream in the US, heating oil dealers could also benefit in terms of their marketing potential making heating oil systems more attractive. Apollo Smart, if it lives up to its manufacturer’s promises, could also make for better-informed and more conscientious heating oil users, which would help streamline deliveries and improve customer relations.
HeatingOil.com stresses that we’ve yet to test the device ourselves but invite comments from anyonce who has seen and/or used Apollo Smart.
Activists Strike Heating Oil Tanks at Davos Summit
Police investigated the explosion and heating oil sabotage at the Post Hotel Morosani in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday. (image: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty Images via globalpost.com)
As a meeting of the world’s wealthiest and most economically powerful people, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland is an attractive target for anti-capitalist and anti-globalization activists. As is frequently seen at meetings of the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund, protests usually take the form of street demonstrations than sometimes turn violent, leaving behind shattered shop windows and burnt-out cars.
But sometimes activists employ novel tactics to disrupt the spinning of the world’s biggest economic wheels, the latest of which was seen at the Davos summit on Thursday. The BBC reported on Thursday morning that activists had sabotaged the heating oil used the heat the hotel where Swiss bankers are staying by adding sugar to the oil tanks. The sabotage shut down the hotel’s heating system, “so that [Swiss] federal officials and bankers get to feel the mountain chill too,” according to an anonymous message that claimed responsibility for the sabotage.
The unidentified group also alerted the press that it was behind a small explosion at the same hotel, the Post Hotel Morosani. The explosion was reportedly caused by fireworks and broke two windows, but did not cause any injuries.
There are two lessons here. First: if you’re going to an international meeting of the economically powerful, you may want to pack a space heater as a backup. Second: be sure to keep sugar OUT of your heating oil tank.
NJ Rebates for Energy-Efficient Heating Oil Equipment Extended Through June
New Jersey's Clean Energy Program will continue to offer rebates to purchasers of energy-efficient heating equipment through the end of June. (image: facebook.com)
New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program will extend its WARMAdvantage program through the end of June 2011, continuing to offer rebates to residents who purchase efficient heating equipment. This means that New Jersey homeowners who purchase an EnergyStar-qualified oil-fired boiler or burner with an AFUE rating (a measure of fuel efficiency) of 85 or higher will be rewarded by the state in the amount of $300.
HeatingOil.com Approved Dealer Woolley Fuel of Maplewood, NJ broke the news at 4:00 Eastern Time on Wednesday afternoon with a happy tweet, “@woolleyfuel: N.J. Board of Public Utilities has extended the $300 rebate for the installation of high efficiency heating oil equipment through 06/30/11!” A state employee reached through a call to the Clean Energy Program’s information hot line (1-866-NJSMART) confirmed the announcement.
Investing in a modern and efficient heating oil burner or boiler can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year by reducing heating oil usage, and also cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions from heating systems.
For more information on the program, visit the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s website.
A special thanks to Woolley Fuel for the tip!
Maine Town Takes Proactive Approach to Preventing Heating Oil Tank Leaks
Old, rusty heating oil tanks present a high risk of leaks. The town of Patten, ME has taken action to replace 30 tanks to prevent leaks. (image: standardgeek via flickr.com)
Fully and responsibly cleaning up a heating oil leak, whether it is from an indoor or outdoor, underground or above ground tank, can be a complicated and extremely expensive process. With this in mind, the town of Patten, Maine has undertaken an initiative to stop leaks in the most efficient and reliable way possible: by stopping them before they start.
Local television news outlet WABI 5 reported on Wednesday on a program in Patten aimed at reducing heating oil leaks and spills by replacing the town’s oldest heating oil tanks. According to the report, the initiative is driven by the need to protect the town’s water supply, as heating oil spills and leaks can contaminate drinking water sources if not caught quickly. The program is a joint venture of the town of Patten and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
The initiative’s goal is to replace 30 heating oil tanks most vulnerable to corrosion and leaks with more modern, double-walled models. The program, which began in September and will continue through the end of the year, began with a budget of $100,000. According to the WABI report, the program is under budget and could replace more than the 30 tanks originally targeted for removal.
As is the case with heating system maintenance, preventative action to update old and rusty heating oil tanks is a smart move that can prevent tens of thousands of dollars worth of damages done by leaks and spills. The town of Patten should be cheered for staying on top of potential problems and investing in prevention instead of trying to deal with leaks as they happen.
Washington State Offers Free Spill Insurance to Heating Oil Users
Heating oil spilled from an old and poorly maintained tank is a worst-case scenario for heating oil users, as it requires expensive cleanup. Washington State has begun offering free insurance against heating oil spills. (image: dem.ri.gov)
Caring for heating oil tanks is an important responsibility for heating oil users across the country. A leaky or otherwise faulty tank can be a costly problem for any homeowner to address, and the biggest financial risk comes from the possibility of heating oil seeping into surrounding soil or water. When this occurs, it is considered an environmental contamination that must be cleaned up by trained and licensed professionals. The cost of these cleanups, for which the owners of leaky tanks are responsible, can reach $10,000 or more, depending on how many gallons were released and how far the leaked oil traveled. Typical homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover liability or cleanup costs associated with heating oil spills, leaving heating oil users with few options for financial protection.
Officials in Washington State have stepped in to help limit the cost of accidental leaks to heating oil users by offering free pollution liability insurance, Tacoma-based local newspaper the News Tribune reported on Saturday. Pierce County, WA is working with local heating oil dealers to inform heating oil users about the insurance plan, offered by the state’s Pollution Liability Insurance Agency, and encourage them to sign up for coverage.
The program offers $60,000 in liability insurance to participants to cover professional cleanup of spilled heating oil on their own and/or neighboring properties, plus $1,500 in reimbursements for leaks that damage neighbors’ property. It is free of charge to participants, and is paid for with funds raised though a state tax on petroleum products.
The insurance program offers twofold benefits to residents of Pierce County and the rest of Washington State: financial protection for heating oil users and added protection of soil and water. Heating oil users protected by the policy can rest assured that they will not have to take out a second mortgage or sell their belongings to foot the bill for a spill cleanup. Those same users will also be much more likely to report leaks to local authorities for proper cleanup instead of keeping leaks or spills a secret to avoid paying for cleanup.
Washington heating oil users interested in participating in the insurance program should visit the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s website or call 1-800-822-3905.
Thieves Steal Heating Oil and Tank from Empty Home in Vermont
Thieves in Vermont drained a heating oil tank the hard way--by lifting and moving it to get at the fuel inside. (image: wales.inetgiant.co.uk)
Heating oil theft is a relatively uncommon occurrence in the US, but it does happen. Siphoning or using an electric or diesel-powered pump is the common M.O. of heating oil thieves.
But over the weekend in Shoreham, Vermont, heating oil thieves showed a new level of brazenness by removing the heating oil tank from a vacation home and draining it of fuel, the Burlington Free Press reported on Monday.
Coverage of the incident is short on details, so it is unclear where the tank was located and whether or not the thieves made off with the tank itself as well as the heating oil it contained. Considering the thieves “removed” the tank, it was probably a relatively small outdoor, above ground tank.
The incident should not be construed as a harbinger of future threats to heating oil users—keep in mind that moving and draining a heating oil tank without being noticed by neighbors or authorities is an extraordinarily difficult task that few would-be thieves have the moxie or tools to pull off. Rather, it should be taken as a sign that difficult financial times lead people to employ desperate measures in pursuit of savings.
HeatingOil.com Photo of the Day: Heating Oil Truck Meter
A meter used to measure heating oil deliveries and print delivery receipts on a truck from Boro Fuel Oil in Brooklyn, NY. (image: Nicholas Whitaker for HeatingOil.com)
For our first ever Photo of the Day, we bring you a simple but invaluable piece of heating oil equipment: the delivery truck meter. As those gallons of heating oil flow out of your dealer’s truck and into your home storage tank, the meter keeps track of exactly how much oil is delivered and prints a receipt. The meter shown here, on a truck owned by HeatingOil.com dealer Boro Fuel Oil, is an analog model used by many heating oil dealers, though digital counters are coming into wider use. Meters are checked at random for accuracy by state agencies such as the Department of Weights and Measures.
PA Rebates for Energy-Efficient Heating Equipment Soon Available Through Program Waiting List
Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection is still handing out rebates to purchasers of efficient heating equipment. (image: completesafetysolutions.com)
Since April of this year, generous rebates (between $250 and $1,000) for the purchase of efficient boilers, water heaters, and other appliances have been available to residents of Pennsylvania. The federal stimulus-funded program has already doled out rebates to thousands of Pennsylvanians, and all funds have been reserved.
But the program requires that residents who make reservations claim their rebates within 30 days, after which their reservation expires and the funds become available again. To prepare for this, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental protection is compiling a waiting list. Any unclaimed rebates will be passed along to the next person or family on the waiting list, digitaljournal.com reported on Tuesday.
So if you’re a resident of PA and are considering upgrading your heating equipment and boosting your home’s energy efficiency, visit www.paheatingrebates.com, or call 1-877-592-2061. But hurry! High interest in the rebate program will likely continue, so competition for the top spots on that waiting list will be tough.
How to Prepare Your Heating Oil System for a Hurricane
Hurricane Earl at it strongest at 2 am on September 2, when winds speeds reached up to 159 mph. (image: NASA via WSJ.com)
Although Hurricane Earl was downgraded to a category 3 storm on Thursday afternoon, it’s still a whopper of the storm whose effects could soon be felt in much of the Northeast. According to a report by the Washington Post released at 2:30 pm Eastern time on Thursday,
Forecasters were trying to determine whether the storm would stay offshore as it headed up the Northeast coast or bring hurricane-force winds to Long Island and the New England coastal area.
If the storm does move closer to the East Coast as it moves north, coastal areas of the Northeast will get most of Earl’s intense wind and rain, while inland areas may see few effects. At the moment, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Long Island are most likely to see serious tropical storm conditions over the next two days or so.
Those areas are home to many heating oil users, and to help them prepare for Earl’s arrival, the Energy Communications Council (which is funded by the National Oilheat Research Alliance) issued a press release offering tips on how to prepare and check up on oil-fired heating systems before and after flooding:
Preparation before a flood
• If you must evacuate, turn off the heating oil supply valve at the tank before flood waters rise.
• If you must evacuate, turn off furnace or boiler emergency switch.
• Particularly in FEMA designated ‘flood prone areas,’ the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that basement and above-ground heating oil tanks should be ‘anchored to resist movement’ resulting from a flood condition.After a flood
• If oilheat equipment has been flooded, be sure to shut off the tank service valve if you did not do so before evacuating.
• Look for any visible structural damage. If the tank has shifted, lines are bent or damaged, or you notice anything else unusual, contact your heating oil retailer immediately.
• Damage to pumps, filters, and electronic controls is a significant problem caused by flooding. Heating oil appliances and equipment that have been underwater should be inspected by your professional retailer before being placed back into service.
Hopefully, no one will have to worry about flooding from Earl’s heavy rain. But if heating oil users anywhere in the Northeast are forced to evacuate their homes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
HeatingOil.com Helps Thousands of Heating Oil Users Find New Heating Oil Suppliers Every Month
A lot of our readers already know that HeatingOil.com is the authoritative voice on issues facing heating oil consumers. But many don’t know that it is also the number one destination for consumers looking for a new heating oil supplier.
With tens of thousands of consumers coming to our site every month to read our heating oil articles, more and more of our readers are trying out HeatingOil.com’s Dealer Locator. With over 200 HeatingOil.com Approved Dealers to choose from and thousands of buying inquiries a month, we’re revolutionizing the process of how consumers find a new heating oil company. HeatingOil.com’s Heating Oil Equipment service has also helped hundreds of heating oil users find the best equipment to fit their needs at the best prices available.
Choosing a new heating oil or equipment supplier is an important decision- it isn’t something you can do by just looking in the yellow pages. You need to know the dealer you select is going to be dependable, financially stable, and provide great service. With HeatingOil.com all our participating dealers have been vetted and approved to ensure they meet our standards. You’ll know that if you choose a dealer from HeatingOil.com, you’re working with one of the best in the industry.
For consumers, all you need to do is provide your contact info and HeatingOil.com will connect you with an Approved Dealer in your area.
For heating oil dealers, it’s just as easy. Applying to become an Approved Dealer is simple and fast, and if approved you’ll begin to receive consumer leads on a free trial basis immediately.
If you’re looking for a new heating oil company, give HeatingOil.com’s Dealer Finder a try here. And if you’re a high quality heating oil supplier looking for some new customers, you can apply for our free trial here.
The Heating Oil System Cleaning and Tune Up: What it is and Why it’s Important
Tom Piano of Hilltop Fuel performs a boiler inspection as part of an annual cleaning and tune-up. (image: Nicholas Whitaker for HeatingOil.com)
If you’ve visited HeatingOil.com before, there’s a good chance that you’ve read about annual cleanings and tune-ups of oil-fired heating systems. Once-a-year cleanings and tune-ups are the single most important ways to keep heating systems running at maximum efficiency, which means burning less heating oil in cold weather and lower heating oil bills. They also help catch problems (like tank leaks and clogged filters) before they turn into BIG problems (like an expensive cleanup of spilled oil or a broken burner). Heating systems are pretty complex, which means a lot of different parts can wear out or have small animals living inside them (see the video for details on that). Cleanings and tune-ups find and replace worn-out parts and clear out anything in your system that’s not supposed to be there.
So what exactly goes into a cleaning and tune-up? What is the technician in your basement doing that improves the quality of your heating system and reduces wear-and-tear? Instead of writing out the answers to those questions, we decided to show them. HeatingOil.com video producer Nicholas Whitaker recently joined Tom Piano of Hilltop Fuel in New Jersey on a cleaning and tune-up call and documented the process. At Hilltop, the annual cleaning and tune-up of a heating system is called Preventative Maintenance Service, or PMS.
Whatever you call it, servicing your heating system with an annual cleaning and tune-up is the best way to keep your system in top condition and running at maximum efficiency. Even if you don’t have a service contract or if your contract doesn’t include an annual cleaning and tune-up, they are well worth the investment—the long-term savings that come from heating oil conservation, less frequent service calls, and reduced risk of system breakdown are too big to ignore.
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Rhode Island Reopens Heating Equipment Rebate Program
Rhode Islanders have a second chance at a $500 rebate on the purchase of an energy-efficient oil boiler like this Weil McLain Ultra Oil Boiler. (image: wetheadmedia.com)
When Rhode Island opened its rebate program for energy-efficient heating equipment and appliances on March 25, rebate funds lasted all of one day. Now the program is relaunching, giving Rhode Islanders another chance to save up to $500 on the purchase of Energy Star-approved heating equipment or appliances.
Rebates range from $100 to $500, with the $500 rebates reserved for oil and gas boilers. Oil and gas furnaces are eligible for $100 rebates. Select dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, and gas-fired water heaters also qualify for a rebate.
Purchases made on or after March 25 are eligible for the rebate, which Rhode Island residents can apply for at the website of the Rhode Island Energy Efficient Rebate Program. But Rhode Islanders should act fast if they want to secure their rebate. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and the program only has about half the money that it had in March—$442,000 instead of $882,000.
There is still $430,950 left, but that amount is dwindling. If you want some help to upgrade your heating system, apply for your rebate now!
