How Long Is Heating Oil Good For?

Is there a limit?

Chances are you don’t spend much time thinking about the heating oil in your tank until it’s time for a delivery. Outside of the winter months, the oil in the tank of your Sullivan County home may stay in your tank waiting to be used for months after its delivered. Have you ever wondered if your heating oil is still good after all that time? I mean, you would never leave a jug of milk in the fridge for that long. And even the gas in your car can start to go bad after a few months. So, what about your heating oil?

As far as an expiration date for your heating oil, you probably have nothing to worry about. Number 2 heating oil (the type most commonly in use in American homes) has an average shelf life of about 1 ½ to 2 years. So whether your last heating oil delivery was during the summer or last winter, it’s in perfectly good shape.

Even if your heating oil is approaching the two-year mark, you can probably still use it. It hasn’t spoiled like old milk. You simply won’t get as much energy from it. That’s to say, it won’t produce as much heat when it’s burned. However, if your heating oil is unable to reach the minimum temperature range for your furnace when it’s burned, then your furnace will shut off automatically, and you’ll need to call Black Bear Fuel Oil, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for service.

If you have any questions about whether the heating oil in your tank is still good or if you know that it has been sitting unused for over two years, then your best bet is to have your tank professionally drained and refilled.

Age is just a number

Here’s something else to take into account. The 1 ½ to 2 years is a general guideline to the shelf life of heating oil. There are a number of other factors that can affect how long your heating oil remains viable. Here are a few of those variables:

• The quantity of bacteria in your heating oil. This is the leading cause of fuel breakdown.
• The degree to which your tank has corroded.
• If there are any life-extending additives in your heating oil.
• The quality of your heating oil. (Black Bear provides premium, clean-burning heating oil.)

To summarize: If you have a reputable heating oil supplier like Black Bear that delivers quality fuel, if you maintain your heating oil tank, and if your heating oil hasn’t been sitting unused for more than two years, then you have nothing to worry about. Your heating oil is in good shape and ready to keep you warm all winter long.

Choose Black Bear as your heating oil provider

Black Bear Fuel Oil, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning provides our customers with competitive heating oil prices, reliable delivery, 24-hour emergency heating service, and convenient payment options.

Black Bear Fuel Oil offers our Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster country customers prompt and reliable service. Click here to see if we’re in your neighborhood. Our large fleet of trucks are always ready to deliver—even when our competitors can’t.

Black Bear has the experience and resources to keep you comfortable and warm all winter. If you want reliable heating oil delivery, become a customer today.