Now that summer has arrived, heating your business is probably the furthest thing from your mind. However, it is always good to check the oil levels in your heating tank. If the tank is really low or completely empty, you should schedule a shipment of oil soon so that you are prepared for fall and winter. Before you do that, there are some other things you should do first. 

Peek inside the Tank and Look for Rust and Corrosion

When your heating oil tank is empty, this is the perfect opportunity to peek inside the tank and check it for rust and/or corrosion. The older the tank behind your business building, the more probable it is that there is some metal flaking off inside the tank. These metal particles can jam up the flow of heating oil to your furnace, so you want to be sure that you do not have this problem before you have a fresh tank of oil delivered.

Check the Oil Pump's Levels of Efficiency and Functionality

Before you refill the oil tank, ask the oil heating company's technicians if they can check and test the pump for efficiency and functionality. Usually, the technician can attach a small device that checks for pressure created by the pump. If there is pressure, the pump is working. If the amount of pressure registers at the expected level, then your oil pump is working perfectly. If it registers below, the pump may be failing. If the pressure registers above the expected norms, there may be some blockage in the fuel delivery line and the line may require a flush so that the pump can work properly again. If the technician is unable to provide this service, be sure to have an HVAC technician perform this service before your fuel is delivered.

Ask Your Fuel Delivery Service for a Tank/Line Flush

Just as your car engine needs a seasonal flush, you might want to flush out the fuel delivery line from your tank to the furnace. You may also flush out or clean out the tank itself, but the fuel delivery line should be a priority. In flushing out the line, you clear out any old oil that has become less fluid and more sticky, as well as any debris particles caused by rust or corrosion in the tank. When the line is clear, the new oil will flow more freely, and the pump will not have to work quite so hard to get fuel from the tank to the furnace.

Visit a website like http://glendaleheating.com for more information.

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