For many homeowners, particularly those in rural areas where mains gas isn’t available, oil heating remains a practical (and possibly the only) solution. If you’re wondering what’s involved in having an oil tank installed, read on. We can help you make an informed decision about whether this heating option suits your needs and what to expect during the installation.
Why choose oil heating over gas or electric?
The commonest reason homeowners opt for oil heating is simple necessity – according to the Energy Saving Trust, 4 million UK homes aren’t connected to the mains gas network.
These properties are often in countryside locations, and rely entirely on alternative heating sources. Oil is generally more efficient than electric heating, and comes with consistent warmth – and if you’re prone to power cuts during bad weather, oil might be a more reliable option if you have some sort of backup power. Modern oil boilers can achieve efficiency ratings above 90 per cent, too, which isn’t bad at all.
Oil heating also gives you control over your fuel supplier, which means you can shop around for competitive prices rather than being tied to a single provider. Also, modern oil systems are surprisingly clean, with new regulations ensuring that heating oil now contains significantly less sulphur than was previously the case.
Replacing an existing oil tank
If you already have an oil tank, you might sometimes need to replace it due to age, damage or changes in regulations. Plastic oil tanks have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years, while you might get closer to 25 years with a properly maintained steel tank. Signs you need replacement include visible cracks, rust, oil stains around the tank area or an increase in oil consumption that might indicate a leak.
The good news is that replacing an existing tank is a lot more straightforward than a new installation. Your current pipework and boiler connections can usually remain in place, though they’ll need to have an inspection to make sure they meet current standards. The existing concrete base might be reusable if it’s level and in good condition, though regulations may require upgrades to the bund (the containment area around the tank).
Installation for existing setups
When installing or replacing an oil tank, some modifications to your existing setup might be necessary. Current regulations, particularly in England, require most domestic oil tanks above 2,500 litres to be bunded.
Essentially, that gives you a tank within a tank, providing containment in the event of a leak or refilling spillage. Even smaller tanks need bunding if they’re near water sources, drains or property boundaries.
Your existing oil supply pipe might need rerouting or replacement, particularly if it’s been in place for many years.
Modern installations need a remote-acting fire valve that can shut off the oil supply in case of fire, and older systems often don’t have one. The tank must be positioned at least 1.8 metres from buildings, boundaries and openings like doors or windows, which might mean you have to relocate it from a previous position.
If you’re converting from another heating system to oil, you will of course need an oil boiler as well as your tank. There’s more good news here too: modern oil boilers are much more compact than older models and can often be accommodated in existing boiler cupboards or utility rooms.
Installation process and disruption
The installation process typically begins with a site survey to determine the best location for the tank. There are a lot of considerations, such as regulations, accessibility for delivery tankers, and connection to your home’s heating system. The installer will need to prepare a suitable base, which usually means a concrete platform or specially designed plastic base that ensures the tank remains level and stable.
Just how much disruption will happen largely depends on whether this is a new installation or a replacement. For new installations, you’ll need groundwork for the base preparation, so expect mini-diggers or other machinery accessing your garden or driveway. Trenches will need to be dug for oil supply pipes running from the tank to your boiler, though these are usually shallow and can often follow existing piping.
Inside your home, disruption is minimal if you’re simply connecting to an existing oil boiler. However, if you’re installing a new boiler too, there will obviously need to be work in your boiler location, including new flue installation and connection to your existing heating and hot water systems.
For straightforward replacements, the main disruption involves draining and removing the old tank, which requires specialist equipment and proper disposal. Your heating will need to be turned off during the changeover, so it’s a good idea to plan this work for warmer months, if it’s an option.
Installation timeframe
A standard oil tank replacement on an existing base typically takes one day, assuming no complications arise. New installations generally require two days: that’s one day for base preparation and to allow the concrete to set, and another day for tank installation and connections. It’s possible for a third day to be needed for any additional pipework or getting the system going.
If you’re having a completely new oil boiler installed, it’s probably safe to add another one or even two days to the schedule, depending on how big the team is. Complex installations can take up to a week, but such a timeframe would be a bit of an outlier.
Future oil deliveries
Once your tank is installed, arranging oil deliveries becomes part of your household routine. Suppliers usually offer a range of delivery options to suit different preferences. You can opt for automatic top-ups, where the supplier monitors typical usage patterns and weather conditions to schedule deliveries before you run low. If you prefer to monitor your tank level yourself using the gauge, and order oil when needed, that’s fine too.
Delivery tankers need access to within 30 metres of your tank, as this is the typical hose length. Some deliverers will be able to stretch further, but there’s no guarantee. The installation team will position your tank with this in mind, making sure the fill point is easily accessible. Modern tanks include overfill prevention devices and gauges, making deliveries safer – and allowing you to keep an eye on your consumption.
Always shop around, as many suppliers offer budget payment plans, spreading costs throughout the year rather than facing large bills during winter months. If you’re flexible about delivery timing or can coordinate with neighbours for bulk orders, you might make even greater savings.
A few days’ disruption for 20 years of heat
As you can see, you probably shouldn’t be put off by the upheaval or downtime of having a new oil tank installed. Most of the time, you’ll have no choice anyway as oil customers tend to be those with no alternative.
But compared to having a regular boiler installed and connected to an existing gas main, you’ll be in the same ballpark. If your property isn’t connected to the main pipeline, connecting to the gas main can become a big and expensive job, and oil heating can become a much more attractive option.