If you've got an oil tank at home, you know the drill – there's a whole set of rules and regulations to follow. From the type of tank, to where it sits, there's a lot to consider. For instance, did you know that the person in charge of the property is typically responsible for the oil storage container?
Government regulations require a home oil tank to be inspected regularly by someone who’s registered with a ‘competent person’ scheme. In fact, Oil Care, a joint initiative between UK regulators, trade bodies and industry suggests homeowners check their oil tank is not damaged or leaking at least once a month.
Following the rules
Installing a new or replacement oil tank is complex and must follow building regulations to the letter. Yet even once an oil tank is in place, you must stay up to date with rules around the storage of oil, as these are designed to ensure safety and reduce the possibility of damaging oil spills. Regulations were last updated in 2022 and address issues such as the correct siting of a home oil tank, so depending on where an existing oil tank is situated it may have to be moved, at your cost, to meet the latest regulations.
Homeowners may also find they need a secondary containment for their oil tank, also known as a ‘bund’. This is a backup layer around the tank to prevent leaks from becoming a mess. It's not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ deal; whether you need a bund depends on where your tank is and how much oil it holds. Imagine, sometimes you might need a bund just because your tank is close to a stream or even because it’s near your house – it can get quite complicated!
Finding professionals
You have to have someone who is part of a 'competent person' scheme, usually an OFTEC Registered Technician, come and install your heating system and tank (and annually service it). However, it isn’t a legal requirement to have OFTEC registration to install a heating oil system — unlike with a gas boiler that requires a Gas Safe Engineer. This could make you vulnerable to professionals who have inconsistent safety practices and standards.
The risk of oil spills
Oil spills can be a real legal and environmental minefield and, as the homeowner, the responsibility for preventing this lies squarely on your shoulders. The costs of repairing the damage your oil spill does to your home, to neighbouring properties, and to wildlife and water sources can run into thousands of pounds. Homeowners have to take out special insurance just to cover the risk of this plus the hefty cost of replacing oil if it leaks or is stolen.
LPG offers an alternative
Now, let’s take a look at LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and the regulations surrounding its use. When you’re dealing with LPG, it seems like a smoother ride. The tanks come in various shapes and sizes, and they’re easier to manage compared to oil tanks. Sure, there are still rules to follow, like making sure your tank meets certain standards and is located in certain places, but it doesn’t seem as detailed or tricky as oil tanks and the tank remains the property of your LPG supplier who will carry our regular checks as well as the required testing. LPG storage can also be underground, which protects your valuable garden and countryside views. Because LPG is a colourless, odourless gas when released from its tank or cylinder, it’s almost impossible to steal and won’t cause the same spill issues as oil.
Readying your home for the future
It’s also worth mentioning the UK Government’s effort to phase out oil boilers for off-grid homes. Although the ban has been pushed back to 2035, meaning you won’t be able to replace your oil boiler with a like-for-like one after this date. LPG systems can be easily adapted to renewable fuels that are due to hit the market in 2024 (biopropane and renewable DME). LPG can also act as a blended solution with solar and other renewable energy sources. So it can be a good transitional solution to prepare you for a future with a lower carbon footprint.
If you’re considering your heating options this year, it’s worth checking out LPG. Not only is it a smooth installation and switching process, but it can help you transition to renewable fuels in the long run. Plus, you avoid the tangle of rules associated with heating oil.
To learn more about LPG, read our guide.
