The oil tank refilling process might be an unfamiliar task for new heating oil customers. The oil delivery company handling the fuel delivery will guide you through the entire process, so you do not have to worry. It should be a quick and simple task as long as the system is in good working condition. There could be some aspects of the delivery you might not understand, especially if it was your first time having your oil tank filled. An example of this is the whistling sound coming from your heating oil tank. The oil tank vent alarm causes this whistling noise. It is a sound your system is supposed to make, so there is no need to be alarmed.
This article includes everything you need to know about this whistling sound and why it is crucial.
Where Is The Sound Coming From During A Fuel Oil Delivery?
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Heating oil is delivered to homes via large trucks, which is dissimilar to natural gas. Heating oil is stored in tanks that connect to the heating system. The more the household uses the heating system, the more the heating oil supply is depleted. When this happens, air replaces the liquid in the tank. Refilling the tank with oil will force the air out. The tank has an oil tank vent alarm that emits the whistling sound when the air is pushed out. It is a vital audible signal that the oil delivery driver can hear all the way up to their truck.
When Will The Sound From The Oil Tank Vent Alarm Stop?
The whistling will continue as long as air flows through the vent pipe and the vent alarm. The sound will cease once you already have a full tank as it means that there is no more air that needs to be released. In turn, the delivery crew will stop the oil from flowing from the truck to the tank. This needs to be done by hand, so alerting them when exactly is the right time to do so is crucial. Remember that each home is fitted with a differently-sized tank. The capacity might be challenging to determine if it is a belowground tank. The good news is that knowing the size is not needed because the whistling will signal the state of the tank refill.
Why Is An Oil Tank Alarm Important?
The vent alarm should always be in perfect condition because refilling relies so much on it. Heating oil companies typically have a policy that states they will not conduct refills when there is no whistle. The delivery personnel will try to refill the tank by opening the nozzle and letting oil flow through. If no whistling sound is heard from the tank, they will stop the delivery immediately.
This issue is probably because of a fault in or around the tank. The personnel will not know when to stop if there is no signal, making it a pointless and dangerous task. Your property might only end up with spilled oil around it. As a result, most oil delivery companies do not deliver when there is no whistle as a safety measure.
What If There Is No Whistling Sound During A Home Heating Oil Delivery?
Here are a few of the reasons behind the lack of whistling sound during heating oil delivery:
- Incorrect Oil Tank Connection: One reason that there isn’t any sound could be because there is no tank connected to the pipes. As odd as this may sound, this situation can still happen. You might have recently moved into a new home, and the previous owners might have excavated the tank without telling you. It could also be that the connection was severed.
- Damaged Oil Tank Seals: Any opening lets the air escape instead of flowing through the vent alarm. This is another reason behind the lack of sound. The tank might not be sealed correctly. Bear in mind that the airflow should only be going in one direction, and this is through the vent pipe. This way, the whistle will be triggered. Therefore, any hole needs to be correctly sealed before refilling can begin.
- Problematic Vent Pipe: The vent pipes could be what’s causing the problem at times. Insects might have built their nests inside and caused a clog. These should be removed to allow for a smooth flow of air again. Otherwise, air pressure can build up at such a high level that the tank gets damaged from the inside.
- Broken Oil Tank Whistle: The tank might also have a faulty whistle. Insects or debris might have gotten inside via its holes. These could’ve gotten trapped and caused a blockage. These clogs need to be removed so that air can pass through properly. This way, the necessary sound can be heard again, and the refilling can commence.
The PFO Heating & Air Conditioning driver will conduct a quick tank checkup if it isn’t emitting a whistling sound. A professional HVAC technician can also repair or replace your heating oil tank if it is needed. Call us for any questions you might have about heating oil deliveries, oil tank replacements, and home heating services.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For Reliable Oil Deliveries
When you’re searching for a reputable heating oil delivery company, you can contact PFO Heating & Air Conditioning.
We offer the best home heating oil delivery and the most reasonable heating oil prices in the area. Our team of expert technicians also provides HVAC services to help improve the performance and efficiency of your heating equipment.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning today and learn more about the services we offer. We will be happy to answer all your questions and concerns.
Click here to contact us now or call us at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!