The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Izzy on December 30, 2016, 07:42:32 pm

Title: Domestic heating oil
Post by: Izzy on December 30, 2016, 07:42:32 pm

Currently have 10" deep. Going down at a rate of approx an inch a fortnight. At what point do I worry about gunk being sucked into the boiler? As far as I can see the inside of my tank isn't grotty but a neighbour had a gunk related breakdown which I'd rather avoid.

Title: Re: Domestic heating oil
Post by: Rupert the bear on December 30, 2016, 08:59:22 pm

fit a filter system preferably one with a clear bowl so you can see the fuel, and change filter if required. In the long term cheaper than fixing a bunged up boiler ( that will happen on the coldest day of the year )

Title: Re: Domestic heating oil
Post by: Womble on December 31, 2016, 03:36:21 pm

Silly question, but isn't the height of the offtake fixed anyway?  If so (apart from SD's point of having a delivery stir it up), if you're not sucking in sludge now, why would you when the tank runs to nearly empty?  ???

Title: Re: Domestic heating oil
Post by: Rupert the bear on December 31, 2016, 04:26:35 pm

Depends how much sludge has accumulated over time

Title: Re: Domestic heating oil
Post by: philcaegrug on December 31, 2016, 08:45:36 pm

A filter won't do any harm.  If the oil is clean it goes straight through.  If it's dirty the filter will do its job.

Title: Re: Domestic heating oil
Post by: Izzy on January 08, 2017, 09:43:22 am

Well the good news is that I do have one of those bowl-shaped filters just outside the tank. In a vehicle or hedge/brushcutter the fuel line floats on the surface so as the tank empties you have the chance of sookin up crud.


Thank you all for your advice.