If you use oil as a fuel source for heating your Berryville, VA home, you need an oil storage tank. You have two options: an aboveground and a belowground storage tank. This article can help you determine the better choice for storing your heating oil.
What You Need to Know
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) states that nearly five million homes in the country rely on oil for heating. Virginia is in the EPA Region 3, which governs the regulations for storage tanks that store hazardous materials like oil and petroleum whether it is aboveground or belowground.
Storage tanks can leak, which can be dangerous to people’s health. This can also be dangerous to the environment, water supply, and soil. That means you are responsible for taking preventive measures to minimize the risks of overfilling and spillage with your tank.
Aboveground Storage Tanks
Many homeowners in Berryville, VA, pick aboveground storage tanks. They do this because they’re less demanding than underground tanks. Underground tanks require a lot of excavation, paving, and backfilling. Aboveground tanks are less expensive to install and also have lower up-front costs.
Typically, the aboveground tank is on an elevated platform. This makes it more accessible for inspection, monitoring, and maintenance. Steel, concrete, and fiberglass are among the top materials used for making the tank. It may have features like coating for corrosion protection, a secondary containment system, and leak detection.
Belowground Storage Tanks
According to the EPA, an underground or belowground storage tank is any tank, along with its system of pipes or tubes, whose combined volume remains 10% below the surface of the ground. Like aboveground tanks, this type of storage tank comprises fiberglass, steel, or concrete.
Installing tanks underground helps reduce the risk of fire and explosions. These tanks are for those who want to maximize the use of their property. Since installation is under driveways or lawns, it means there is more land for other purposes. Plus, the tank does not impact your landscape aesthetically.
Belowground tanks are for homeowners and businesses that need larger storage. Since they are underground, vandalism and theft are not common concerns. Neither is damage from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other weather events.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here are some reasons why you may want to consider an aboveground storage tank:
- No digging for installation
- Easy leakage detection and maintenance
- A primary vent pipe the same diameter as the fill pipe can ensure air enters and exits the tank efficiently
- An emergency vent prevents the tank from over-pressurizing in case of fire or rapid temperature increase
On the other hand, an underground storage tank offers the following advantages:
- Takes up no space on the property
- Installed out of sight
- Increased security as the tank is difficult to access underground
- Less susceptible to environmental damage like wind, rain, and extreme temperatures
Both belowground and aboveground tanks offer benefits. But they also come with some drawbacks. For example, leaks and corrosion are common in aboveground tanks. This happens as they’re exposed to damage from environmental factors. The good news is that you can easily inspect the tank for issues that compromise tank integrity.
Aboveground tanks are also more visible, which can be an eyesore, especially when installed in a residential area. Some neighbors might complain, and there could be zoning issues as well.
An underground tank is expensive to install because of the soil removal and excavation. Also, you need specialized equipment and personnel for the routine inspections and repairs.
Although the tank below the ground surface is impervious to vandalism and theft, it is vulnerable to spills and leaks. This is dangerous as it can contaminate soil and groundwater. This leads to costly cleanup efforts and potential lawsuits.
Call us at Griffith Energy Services to promptly deliver your aboveground or belowground tank heating oil right to your doorstep in Berryville, VA.
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