replace oil tank, prime furnace…?
I am buying a house with a oil fired hot air furnace that has an old tank outside that needs to be replaced. I’m a competent builder, and it seems pretty simple to replace it myself. Does anyone know of a website, forum, or other source that could walk me through the process, so I don’t miss anything? I would also need to remove any water that could have gotten into the line (the fill tube and vent tubes are missing), then prime and fire up the furnace. Any help would be greatly appreciated. John
Replies
1. How old is the house? Is the tank below or above ground? In the NW the state evironmental site has pages of regulations about oil tanks. I've had to decommission to in-ground tanks because of switching to other heating methods- electricity and gas.
2. With the vent tube and intake missing, you might want to consider replacing the furnace as well. What's the condition of the rest of the system? ductwork?
3. Look up a few HVAC companies and see if they would work with you. They could only say no, and if they say yes, great. You 'll get some appreciation for the HVAC trade while you support a local business and hopefully less cost to your project.
just some thoughts....
How old is the house?
1996 modular
Is the tank below or above ground?
Above
you might want to consider replacing the furnace as well
I hope that’s not the case, it’s not that old and looks in excellent shape. What about the tubes missing would mean I’d have to replace the furnace?
What's the condition of the rest of the system? ductwork?
The ductwork also appears to be in great shape.
Look up a few HVAC companies and see if they would work with you.
I have calls into a couple local folks, but I’m hoping to save some money while gaining some experience doing as much as I can myself. I know I can at least buy and set up a new tank on a pad, even if I have someone else hook it up and get the furnace going. I just like to learn everything I can about homebuilding, and I have almost zero experience in HVAC but want to learn.Thank you for your reply. John
How old is the house?
1996 modular,
And after 8 years the tank is shot?
Something isn't adding up here.
Jon
I'm calling the tank shot because it has been sitting outside in the weather without the fill tube, vent tube, or oil gauge. The house is a foreclosure in a rural town, and I imagine either the owners that lost the house took everything of any value with them, or they were stolen after the fact, seeing how the house now appears abandoned to passer-bys. I looked at another house a month ago where the people took the furnace with them when they left!
Since a new tank is only $200, I just thought I should replace it.
Thanks for the reply. John