Heating oil is one of best ways to heat your home here in the Massachusetts: it’s safe and efficient, and burning it produces more heat than any other fuel.
Another great thing about fuel oil is that it can be stored for at a later date, which means you can order heating oil when the price is right, or when it’s convenient for you. But one problem that could occur with heating oil is that it can freeze if temperatures dip low enough, stopping your furnace or boiler in its tracks.
The good news is there are ways to prevent this from happening – but first, let’s take a look at why oil freezes in the first place.
When temperatures drop (starting at about 35 degrees), heating oil becomes cloudy; at this point, your heating system will still function perfectly. Once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, however, the paraffin contained in heating oil begins to separate from the oil and crystallize; these crystals will clog the fuel line, slowing the flow of oil. At 16 degrees, oil starts to thicken (or “gel”), creating potentially big problems for your equipment, including shut-down.
The best way to avoid a frozen fuel problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are four ways to do that.
For heating oil that will COMPLETE-ly stand up to any weather, trust the pros at Needham Oil Complete Heating & Cooling. Our crews are on the road all winter long providing reliable heating oil delivery in Middlesex and Norfolk counties, MA. Contact us today to learn more, or to become a Needham Oil Complete customer!