Domestic Heating Oil Advice
Do you use oil to heat your home?
- Do you know how much heating oil you are using?
- Did you have to order your oil earlier than expected?
- Are you using more oil than usual?
- When did you last check your oil tank and oil pipe for leaks?
- Does your insurance cover you against costs of cleaning up an accidental loss of heating oil?
Every year the Environment Agency and Horsham District Council deal with leaks, losses and spills from domestic heating oil tanks. These leaks are damaging to the environment and may be a serious health risk to people.
Oil leaks can be due to the tanks being old and damaged or there are problems with the feed pipes that carry the oil from the tank to the house. Often problems occur after the oil tank has been topped up ready for winter.
Horsham District Council and the Environment Agency want to reduce the number of incidents where people and the environment are put at risk.
You can help us by checking your oil tank and feed pipe regularly.
The Oil Care leaflet (see link below) gives advice on what to do or you can contact your oil supplier or heating engineer for advice. The Environment Agency also has a more detailed Oil Care guidance booklet about the safe storage of heating oil. Please contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 if you would like to receive a copy.
Remember - a simple step that everyone can take is to keep a check on how much oil you are using. If you notice you are using more than normal it could show that a leak is occurring.
If you would like more information or advice
Please contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or Horsham District Council on 01403 215609.