Heating Oil storage tank - Steel or Plastic ?
Discussion
I need to replace my 2000litre heating oil tank with a new bunded tank and am trying to decide whether to choose steel or plastic.
One would think plastic is the obvious choice, but for the same storage capacity, steel tanks are physically smaller than plastic ones and whilst they may in time rust, they are generally less susceptible to damage.
Are there any other factors or options I should consider?
One would think plastic is the obvious choice, but for the same storage capacity, steel tanks are physically smaller than plastic ones and whilst they may in time rust, they are generally less susceptible to damage.
Are there any other factors or options I should consider?
I am firmly in the steel camp.
About five years ago my next door neighbor and I both changed from solid fuel to oil.
He went for a non bunded tank in plastic and I made my own from 3mm steel.
Last year his split around the top, (they don't like the sun) but was covered by a ten year guarantee. He has paid the extra and it's now been replaced with a bunded plastic one.
Apparently the company no longer gives a ten year guarantee, and in my opinion that speaks for itself.
BTW, I did offer to make him a steel one at material only cost.
Cheers,
Paul G
About five years ago my next door neighbor and I both changed from solid fuel to oil.
He went for a non bunded tank in plastic and I made my own from 3mm steel.
Last year his split around the top, (they don't like the sun) but was covered by a ten year guarantee. He has paid the extra and it's now been replaced with a bunded plastic one.
Apparently the company no longer gives a ten year guarantee, and in my opinion that speaks for itself.
BTW, I did offer to make him a steel one at material only cost.
Cheers,
Paul G
s are after it they'll drill plastic or steel to syphon/drain it off.I'd suggest neither and replace it with a wood pellet boiler, cheaper to run especially if you can manage to get the commercial RHI grant which is now available. We have just had ours installed in the Nursery to replace 2 ageing gas boilers and its great.
You can get pellet heads that retrofit straight into your oil boiler apparently.
You can get pellet heads that retrofit straight into your oil boiler apparently.
Ray meerkat said:
Plastic tank.... I built a shed over mine, no direct sunlight and no one can drill the tank 
No one knows it's there except me and the oil company who fills it up lol
That's not a bad idea that....No one knows it's there except me and the oil company who fills it up lol
What are the downsides to that? Fire/wooden shed spring to mind but is it any more likely to be a fire risk if enclosed? (assuming plenty of ventilation)
monthefish said:
That's not a bad idea that....
What are the downsides to that? Fire/wooden shed spring to mind but is it any more likely to be a fire risk if enclosed? (assuming plenty of ventilation)
Current regs say that if the tank is near a fence then the fence has to be lined with fireboard, I suspects its the same with a shed. You would want very good ventilation to save the build up of fumes.What are the downsides to that? Fire/wooden shed spring to mind but is it any more likely to be a fire risk if enclosed? (assuming plenty of ventilation)
Ours is under the overhanging branches of a tree and hidden by trellis with climbers over it. Works a treat, its well hidden, well ventilated, protected from the sun etc
blueg33 said:
Current regs say that if the tank is near a fence then the fence has to be lined with fireboard, I suspects its the same with a shed. You would want very good ventilation to save the build up of fumes.
Ours is under the overhanging branches of a tree and hidden by trellis with climbers over it. Works a treat, its well hidden, well ventilated, protected from the sun etc
My shed is fire boarded all inside yes, it was £30 a sheet for it from the local wood yard. As of vents i replaced the flat roof with chicken wire as the oil tank has a breather on top and needs good ventilation. I would rather do this than fill my oil tank twice in 1 week Ours is under the overhanging branches of a tree and hidden by trellis with climbers over it. Works a treat, its well hidden, well ventilated, protected from the sun etc
monthefish said:
That's not a bad idea that....
What are the downsides to that? Fire/wooden shed spring to mind but is it any more likely to be a fire risk if enclosed? (assuming plenty of ventilation)
The downside is that it's not legal from a Building Regs point of view, as I see it.What are the downsides to that? Fire/wooden shed spring to mind but is it any more likely to be a fire risk if enclosed? (assuming plenty of ventilation)
Ferg said:
The downside is that it's not legal from a Building Regs point of view, as I see it.
Had an oil tank recently that was next to their detached wooden garage. The roof of the garage extended down further on one side to create a sheltered wood store. The oil tank was also sheltered by this overhang.We had to clad the surrounding area of wood (feather edge) and wooden columns in fireproof board. Then create a wall out of the board to separate the tank from the wood store.
After much deliberating, I've ordered one of these rascals. 
The manufacturer is a local company http://www.fuelproof.co.uk/domesticheatingoiltanks...
I've concreted the new base for it and it's being delivered next week. My installation is fully compliant with building regs and my near neighbour who is a boiler engineer has the necessary qualifiaction to sign it off
The manufacturer is a local company http://www.fuelproof.co.uk/domesticheatingoiltanks...
I've concreted the new base for it and it's being delivered next week. My installation is fully compliant with building regs and my near neighbour who is a boiler engineer has the necessary qualifiaction to sign it off
janou said:
Did you choose a bunded tank then? What size is suitable for a 3 bed house?
Depends if the house is full of old people , the bigger the tank the better really as you can get away with 1 fill a year and buy when the oil is cheapest , we have a 4 bed and have a 1300 litre tank we don't have 2 fills a year more like 2 every 14/15 months .Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff