If you’re among the South Carolina families who depend on heating oil to keep their homes warm, please remember you can do this with confidence. Heating oil has always been a remarkably safe fuel!
Home heating oil has an excellent safety record, especially considering that it has been widely used for nearly 100 years.
Let’s begin by looking at flammability. Heating oil is not only biodegradable and nontoxic, it is nonflammable too. That means it cannot burn in its liquid state. Before combustion can occur, heating oil must first be vaporized by an oil burner at temperatures above 140°.
That’s why the oil in your tank is as likely to explode as the water in your backyard swimming pool. It’s that safe!
With an oil tank on your property, you can always count on having a secure, on-site supply at your home. Heating oil is easily transported and handled by highly trained professionals using equipment and techniques that keep safety at the forefront.
Modern heating oil storage tanks have been designed to be virtually leak-proof. Whether your oil storage tank is located in your basement or outside your home, modern heating oil tanks have been designed with corrosion-resistant materials.
With your own onsite storage heating oil tank and a trustworthy heating oil company to rely on, you can be confident that your South Carolina home will stay warm and your family will be safe when temperatures drop in the Palmetto State.
A heating oil system poses a very low risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. If an oil burner malfunctions (most often due to a lack of maintenance), the safety devices in the unit will typically shut the furnace or boiler off.
But you shouldn’t hesitate to call your heating oil service company if you ever see black smoke or soot coming out of your furnace or boiler. This is sign that something is seriously wrong with your equipment. There could even be a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as well.
Please be aware that besides a malfunctioning boiler or furnace, there are many other sources for carbon monoxide leaks, including:
For safety’s sake, it’s vital that you place carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home and near each bedroom. Test them and change their batteries regularly. In general, replace them after five years. (Check manufacturer guidelines for more specifics about when to replace). Also, please ensure that you and your family know the symptoms of CO poisoning, which include headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Note: CO poisoning can often be mistaken for the flu since the symptoms are similar.
Bottom line: continue to feel good about heating oil. It’s the best and safest way to heat your South Carolina home! If you have any safety concerns or questions, please reach out to your local South Carolina heating oil company.