Why Does Heating Oil Gel in Cold Weather? First, a quick primer: standard heating oil (No.2 fuel oil) is very similar to diesel fuel. It contains paraffin wax components that crystalize at low temperatures.
The biggest hidden cost with old oil tanks comes from potential leaks. Heating oil tanks in NYC, whether underground or above-ground, do not last forever. Older steel tanks (common in pre-1980s homes) corrode over time. Internally, condensation water and sludge sit at the bottom and eat away at steel. Externally (for buried tanks), soil moisture and acidity cause rust.
For large buildings, winter isn’t just about comfort – it’s a matter of safety and legal requirement to maintain heat. During normal conditions, a high-rise’s primary heating source might be natural gas or district steam.
If you’ve recently moved into a New York area home that uses heating oil, you might be curious (or anxious) about the heating oil delivery process.
If you’re a property manager overseeing multiple buildings – whether it’s a portfolio of apartment houses in Brooklyn and Queens or a mix of properties across the NYC metro – heating season can be a juggling act.
New York City’s brownstones are architectural gems – the iconic row houses lining streets in Brooklyn, Manhattan’s Upper West Side, parts of Queens and beyond. But as any brownstone owner or resident knows, these historic homes can be notoriously hard to keep warm.
If you heat your home with oil in the NYC area, you likely have a big metal oil tank sitting in your basement or buried in your yard. It’s out of sight, out of mind – until there’s a problem. One day, you might discover a leak or other tank issue, and assume, “Well, that’s why I have homeowners insurance!” Unfortunately, many NYC homeowners don’t realize that standard insurance often excludes coverage for oil tank leaks or spills.
If you heat your home or building with oil in the NYC area, you’ve probably heard the term Bioheat. By now, almost all heating oil in New York City contains some biodiesel, making it “Bioheat fuel.” Two common blend levels are B10 and B20, meaning 10% or 20% biodiesel mixed with traditional heating oil. But what do those numbers really mean for you, the end user?
Most NYC homeowners don’t think about their heating oil tank—until something feels wrong. A strange odor in the basement. A comment from a delivery driver. A technician pointing out corrosion during routine service. These are usually the moments when homeowners first start asking whether a heating oil tank should be replaced.
Winter heating costs in New York City are never predictable. Between cold snaps, supply constraints, and fluctuating wholesale fuel costs, many homeowners find themselves wondering the same thing every year: Should I lock in a fixed heating oil price—or stay on market pricing?
