Oil Heating Systems
Many Nova Scotians enjoy the comfort and convenience of oil heat in their homes, but few people think about the possible problems of storing heating fuel on their property. This web page has been developed to assist homeowners in making informed decisions regarding your heating oil storage system.
Domestic fuel oil storage tanks have been in use for more than fifty years in Nova Scotia. Properly installed and maintained they can offer years of safe fuel storage. However, in the past, many tank installations and maintenance practices (or lack thereof) actually caused tank systems to fail well before their potential life expectancy had been reached.
If not properly installed and maintained, the domestic heating oil tank found at most Nova Scotian homes has the potential to affect human health, the environment, and become a financial liability.
Did You Know
- Nova Scotia has approximately 200,000 domestic oil tanks.
- Although the number appears to be declining, each year in Nova Scotia there are hundreds of spills from home heating oil tanks.
- Oil from a leaking tank can contaminate the soil and become a threat to drinking water supplies. As well, odors can often enter dwellings through the sewer system or through foundation walls and floors.
- The cost to clean up a spill can range from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Plus, there is the added disruption and inconvenience of the cleanup.
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EmergenciesKey Documents
- Homeowners Guide to Heating Oil Tank Systems (PDF: 733k)
- Domestic Oil Tank Installation Guide (PDF: 126k)