When you need fuel oil for your home heating, you want to make sure that oil is being used safely. Main Energy—a family-owned fuel service company in Palmyra, NY—provides home heating oil, farm fuels, kero, on- road/off-road diesel, propane, and gasoline delivery for residential and commercial clients in Monroe, Seneca, Yates, Wayne, Ontario, and Cayuga counties. Their professionals offer advice on what you can do to make sure your heating oil is used properly so you and your family can stay warm and safe.

Burning fuel oil is an efficient method for providing heat to your home. It’s not explosive, which makes it relatively safe, but that doesn’t mean you should allow yourself to be careless when using it. How can you make sure your oil is being used safely? Here are some tips from the experts at Main Energy:

• Use Proper Storage: When your oil is delivered to your home, make sure it is transferred from the delivery truck to containers or tanks that are appropriate for oil storage. Your tank may be stored underground or in your basement, but some homes might have them outside. If your oil tank is located outdoors, make sure you prevent ice and snow from falling on your tank, which can cause it to corrode.
• Employ Safety Habits: Making sure you act responsibly around fuel oil is essential to keeping you and your family safe. Never let children play near your fuel storage or heating equipment. Keep any flammable materials—such as papers, clothing, toys, or chemicals—away from your furnace or other oil burning appliances. In addition, never smoke near your oil tank.

• Check For Leaks: An oil leak is a serious issue. If your tank is located outdoors or underground, it can contaminate the surrounding soil as well as any nearby drinking water sources. If the tank leak is inside your home, exposure to oil fumes can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Some signs that can indicate a leak are a sudden decrease in the amount of oil in your tank, the smell of oil in areas not around your oil burner, or a change in taste or smell to your water.
• Maintenance: Getting regular maintenance for your home heating oil equipment will help your oil burn efficiently. The maintenance technician will also be able to detect if you have any leaks, as well as advise if you are using your fuel oil in an unsafe manner.

When used safely and correctly, fuel oil can make your home warmer while burning more effectively, thereby saving you money. Call Main Energy at (315) 597-5200 to find out how you can heat your home with oil. Visit them online to learn more about the types of fuel they offer or to schedule your next fuel delivery.