Gas coming... should I?

[JP_]

Yeah. My dad is also 80, so while I hope he has many years in him, there is a risk it would just involve spending money he could use on enjoying life more!

 

[Roger465]

Is there any way that the uninitiated (me) can assess the oil tank's condition?

 

[BlueLoo]

Is there any way that the uninitiated (me) can assess the oil tank's condition?

https://homefuelsdirect.co.uk/heating-oil-tanks/oil-tank-care#oiltankcare

Can't think that a DIYer can't that themselves though.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Not an expert on Plastic tanks, but a would assume as these are designed for external installation, they are suitably protected against UV in Sunlight, and provided it has been installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, then I would expect it to give many years of useful service. I very much doubt it is not bunded, so for both inner and outer skins to fail simultaneously would be extremely unlikely unless the result of external forces.

I would be more worried about a steel tank, that has been in situ for an indeterminate number of years, and the risk of that leaking from corrosion, (usually in a spot you cannot see or get to to paint, protect and monitor.)

 

[Roger465]

https://homefuelsdirect.co.uk/heating-oil-tanks/oil-tank-care#oiltankcare

Can't think that a DIYer can't that themselves though.

That's interesting, thanks. A lot of it seems to refer to metal tanks though... plastic ones obviously won't rust, but I suppose I'm worried about splitting or whatever...

{edit} Sorry Hugh, missed your post as I was writing this one. Thanks

 

[Roger465]

I would be more worried about a steel tank, that has been in situ for an indeterminate number of years, and the risk of that leaking from corrosion, (usually in a spot you cannot see or get to to paint, protect and monitor.)

I remember that happening in an episode of The Good Life back in the 70s. Their neighbour had moved out, leaving a full (metal) tank, and the Goodes were going to nip round and siphon it off, but found next day it had all leaked away. Probably 500L into the soil, but back in those more innocent days that didn't seem to be much of a consideration

 

[Tigercubrider]

even if you choose to remain with oil, I'd get the gas supply fitted.
Any issue with your existing boiler or an increase in oil costs could trigger a new gas boiler in 12 months or years.

Personally I thing gas could be a cheaper alternative to oil fuel wise and any "gas is dead" worries are 20 years down the line plus some.
It's like uk manufacturers not selling new ICE cars five years from now. All my friends' cars are well over 10 years old, and fuel will be supplied for years before becoming an issue. There are too many existing cars/gas boilers to change the country rapidly

 

[BlueLoo]

That's interesting, thanks. A lot of it seems to refer to metal tanks though... plastic ones obviously won't rust, but I suppose I'm worried about splitting or whatever...

{edit} Sorry Hugh, missed your post as I was writing this one. Thanks

I thought yours was steel? (Didn't see the picture update lol). Steel seems to be a better long term choice.

https://www.speedyfuels.co.uk/news/can-damaged-plastic-oil-tanks-be-repaired/

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I remember that happening in an episode of The Good Life back in the 70s. Their neighbour had moved out, leaving a full (metal) tank, and the Goodes were going to nip round and siphon it off, but found next day it had all leaked away. Probably 500L into the soil, but back in those more innocent days that didn't seem to be much of a consideration

Afraid similar is happening more than we realise, Professional Fuel thieves go armed with drums and pumps to steal fuel from wherever they can, and have no thought to the environment. Fuel depot next to a site I work out of sometimes got hit recently. Thieves ran a hose through the fence, along the fence line into an adjacent yard, not sure how much they got, but the area stank of diesel, and a specialist clean up team had to be brought in.

 

[pcaouolte]

Many years ago, when we had the option of a gas pipe to the property, the agreement was that we would connect an appliance to the gas supply within a certain time frame. If we did not agree to connect an appliance to the gas then they would not provide a connection. We installed a gas fire in the lounge and used it very rarely. When the oil boiler expired we swapped to a gas boiler as it was much cheaper to run at that time.

 

[gas112]

Know people who got gas back in the rural gasification programme late 80`s early 90`s who have never had a bill

 

[bernardgreen]

Many years ago, when we had the option of a gas pipe to the property, the agreement was that we would connect an appliance to the gas supply within a certain time frame.

You were lucky, we had to commit to having three outlets. Boiler and gas hob were two and the third was a capped off pipe into a workshop for a future Bunsen burner. Never used.

 

[BlueLoo]

Know people who got gas back in the rural gasification programme late 80`s early 90`s who have never had a bill

30yrs free gas?

£££

 

[gas112]

30yrs free gas?

£££

yep meter job`s lost in mist of bureaucracy

 

[pcaouolte]

There are also a number of people getting free water, there was a period when rateable values were not being assigned to properties due to moving over to poll tax but no water meters were fitted either. The water company have no basis to make a charge so nothing is charged.