Will My Heating Oil Spoil?

Most people buy heating oil a few times a year, then store in a tank until they need to use it. The question is, how long can you store heating oil before it becomes harmful to use in your furnace or boiler?

The good news is that common No. 2 heating oil has a shelf life of somewhere between 18 and 24 months. That means you’re fine if you want to use fuel that’s left over from last season, or if you want to order heating oil now (while prices are near all-time lows) and use it next heating season.

Oil on the older side of that scale can still be used – it just burns less efficiently as it ages. There will come a time, however, when burning older oil will not generate enough heat to meet your furnace or boiler’s minimum requirement: when that happens, your heating system will shut off automatically, and you’ll need to call for service to get it up and running again.

Of course 18-24 months is simply an average shelf life for No. 2 heating oil; problems with water and bacteria (which break down fuel), a corroding storage tank, or the presence or absence of life-lengthening chemical additives in the fuel can push the scale up or down.

Having quality oil is always a good place to start – a big reason to buy your heating oil from Discount Oil Brokers.

The bottom line: if you get your heating oil from a reputable supplier (like us), maintain your heating oil tank, and aren’t waiting two years between heating oil deliveries, you should be fine.

Now is a great time to order heating oil, with heating oil prices at offseason lows. Contact us today to schedule a heating oil delivery, and remember: for quality heating oil in Northern and Central RI at the best prices around, nobody beats Discount Oil Brokers!