Furnace conversion - what to do with heating oil
 

The utilities company will be running a gas line to my house in the next few weeks. I plan on converting the existing 50+ yr oil oil furnace to a new, high-e gas unit. The oil company topped off my tank (~200 gals) at the end of last season. It was a good move on my part, so I thought, based upon the rising fuel cost. I now need to empty the tank. I'd like to recover at least part of my investment as there is ~$800 of fuel oil in the tank. i spoke to the oil company. They said it will cost me $100 for the pump out and I don't get a penny for the oil. That dog ain't gonna hunt. I suppose one option is to wait until I burn through most of the tank before converting...really hate to do the install during the dead of winter but I will rather to that than lose that much cash in the process. Anyone every been through this scenario before? Any suggestions?

Why don't you sell the oil? Here, we have lots of cheap 50 gallon tanks available. I would pump the oil into smaller tanks and market it at a reduced price to recover some of your costs. I know my parents had fuel oil heating with a large tank and there were lots of others in the neighborhood who also used it for heating. I'll bet you have a large market for heating oil in New York...

First off I'd be calling my city councilman to find out WHY you had to pay for the oil last year and now won't be reimbursed for it. That sound pretty fishy.

I agree with Katwhisperer about pumping it out yourself into smaller containers. should be doable and you'd get your money back on the oil (if the oil company continues to say "no")

I emptied my mother's tank ten gallons at a time. I'm sure if you put a little discount on the oil you'll be able to get rid of it and make some of your money back.

Best wishes with the new system.

Paula

Heating oil is the same as diesel fuel used in farm vehicles. Can you find a farmer who can use it?

I don't think it would be too hard to sell. I would also bet many wanting to buy will pump it out themselves.

I don't know where in NY you live, but around here there are 5 or 6 heating oil companies vying for my business. Have you called more than one company to see if they will buy it off you? Or maybe you could get one of them to pump it out and deliver it to one of your neighbors? I'm sure you could sell it fairly easily. I would think (at least for me) that the pumping and delivery would be the hard part.

Is it an option to sell the tank and oil on Craigslist? We're in the same situation and I figured we could do it that way.

I second the Craigslist.

Conversion to gas
 

Was this the cities plan? We also have fuel oil in my grandmothers house and would love to get rid of the fuel oil......and go to gas or somthing else- Just wondering if you contacted the city or if they are just converting everyone???

Lori
West Central WI

Do you happen to know a trucker that delivers used trucks piggyback? Most of them can pump it and use it and would be willing to give you something for it.
As for the pump dont worry to much about that just get a clear house of 3/4 inch or larger diameter and you can shiphon it out pretty fast.

Yep I'd sell it to neighbors who are still burning oil. The oil company probably won't resell it because they don't know if it might be contaminated.

I don't understand what the city council would have to do with this...

Depending upon the age of your vehicle and other considerations you may think about adding some to each gas fill up and burn it during driving. I certainly wouldn't do it with a newer vehicle and I would want some expert opinions or knowledge on how much to add at each fill up, but I certainly wouldn't give the fuel away.

I checked craigslist. Found one guy who will empty the tank for free...he must think people have 'stupid' written across their foreheads. Two other guys will pay for the fuel (not market rate by any means) plus remove the tank. That sounds like a much better deal. Have to call them later to see what kind of terms they're talking.

Talked to someone at the oil distributor. They said they can't buy back the fuel oil because they can't resell it unless it is reprocessed / recertified. Cfabe is right. Guy said some tanks may be contaiminated or have debris. Good point.

The great state of NY says an individual can haul up to 500 lbs of fuel / waste oil (which this is considered) without a permit. That roughly translates to a 55 gal drum. At least I have option to pump & sell it myself. You would think this would be a profitable business now that fuel oil is pushing $4.50 / gal. BTW, the utility company is offering a $500 rebate to convert. That plus any money I get from the fuel will help offset at least some of the cost of the new system.

Thanks to everyone for their responses.

Isnt that strange I often pass thru NY state with anywhere from 300 to 1000 gallons of this same stuff in my tanks......maybe if you haul it in a tank its somehow different?

A Couple gave me 275 gal of home heating oil and the tank to move it. It took 3 trips to move it all home 20 miles each way. I have 2 diesel tractors and it works very well.

Sell it 5 gals at a time to neighbors for heating or diesel tractor fuel., let them bring their own containers, might take a while....but..

Yep, I would sell it unless you own a diesel and then I would burn it.

Met with a heating contractor yesterday about the new furnace. Nice guy, real down to earth. He mentioned that there were a few churches in the area looking for fuel oil to help out those who may need a hand up to get through the winter. Now why didn't I think of that. Sometimes you have to look with your heart instead of your pocket book. I won't get rich selling what there is so I'll make a call to the local Padre to see if they are interested. At least I'll know that it went to a good cause. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I just recently came across a Craigslist post from someone in your same situation. They had 150 gallons listed for free, provided that you could: come get it yourself, pump it out without making a mess, and clean up after yourself. It was gone in hours. With the cost of oil the way it is, I'm sure you could sell it at a discount, with the same criteria, and get rid of it fast.