How To Prevent Oil Boiler Fuel Freezing Issues

If you live in an extremely cold area that has no access to natural gas lines, then you probably use an oil boiler system to heat your house. These systems feature oil tanks that typically hold between one hundred and several hundred gallons of oil. If your house is located in an area where drainage is considered good or normal, then your oil tank may be secured underneath the earth. However, wet soil conditions may mean an exposed outdoor oil tank. If this is the case for your house, then you should know that the oil in the tank will be exposed to extremely cold temperatures during the winter months. Certain areas can normally reach temperatures below -15 or -40 degrees Fahrenheit or even colder. Unfortunately, this means that the oil that feeds your boiler may start to freeze. Freezing oil can turn into a gel that blocks the oil lines, so find out how you can prevent freezing issues.

Cover Oil Lines

Your oil boiler will be fed by a small oil line that runs from the exterior tank into the home where a spray nozzle will release the fuel that is then set ablaze. However, only a small amount of heating oil is required to fire the boiler, and similar amounts are needed by the system as it runs. The heating oil lines are usually fairly narrow to supply the small amount of fuel so it is not wasted. In many cases, the oil lines will be less than about one-half inch thick and no smaller than about three-eighths of an inch thick. These narrow lines may lead heating oil to the boiler for several feet, and the fluid can then freeze or turn into a thick gel.

Adding Heat Tape and Insulation

You can prevent freezing issues fairly easily by insulating and heating the lines. Heating the oil lines requires the placement of heat tape around the copper lines themselves. Measure the exterior portion of the line and purchase a self-regulating heat tape made for outside use. This type of tape will turn on and off automatically according to a gauge or sensor that keeps track of the oil line temperature. Wrap this tape around the oil line, but make sure not to overlap the material or this may cause an electrical short issue.

Once the heat tape is in place, buy some pipe insulation. Foam polyethylene split insulation will work best for outdoor use. Make sure this insulation is about one-half to one inch thick with at least a one-half inch to three-quarters of an inch hole in the middle. This is wise, since the heat tape will add some thickness to the oil line. Wrap the insulation around the oil line with the slit facing downward so it cannot collect ice and snow. While most pipe insulation will have an adhesive strip to close the slit, you should also secure the opening with tape. Consider using heavy-duty outdoor duct tape for this.

Consider an Additive

While insulating the oil lines outside your home can surely help to reduce freezing issues, you should consider the oil itself as well. You will likely have the option of purchasing a winter blend heating oil. This type of fuel is meant to be stored outdoors and it contains a small amount of kerosene to keep it from completely freezing when exposed to cold temperatures. While this type of blend can reduce freezing concerns, the heating oil can still gel up to some degree. If the heating oil also contains water, then the gel and frozen ice crystals can completely clog an oil line. 

To prevent these types of problems, consider placing an additive in your oil tank whenever you receive an oil delivery. The best additive will be one that removes water from the tank and also reduces the sludge or contaminants in the fuel. If possible, look for a fluid that also breaks down heating oil gel that has solidified in the tank. All of these things will help to keep clog and freezing problems to a minimum. 

For more information on preventing boiler freezing issues, contact an HVAC company like Ice Age Mechanical.