Bunded oil tanks come in a wide variety of sizes and styles - from plastic to steel and single-skinned to double bunded. Whether it’s time to replace an old tank or install a brand new one, it’s vital that you purchase the best quality tank available. If you are currently deciding which tank will be most appropriate for your storage needs, then here’s everything you need to know about plastic bunded heating oil tanks.
What is a plastic bunded oil tank?
Plastic oil tanks were introduced to provide a more efficient, low-maintenance option to traditional steel tanks. They allow you to store large volumes of heating oil on your property and offer a safe and secure storage solution for your fuel management system. Here are some of the key benefits of a plastic bunded oil tank:
Lightweight
Plastic tanks are lightweight and far easier to move when compared to steel oil tanks. This makes installation quick and convenient and means that the tank can be easily moved to a new location if required.
Designs
The flexible material of plastic means there are a large number different shapes, sizes and capacities of bunded plastic oil tanks available. Common shapes are slim line, vertical and horizontal. Most common capacities range from 1000 to 2500 litres.
Less prone to rust
Plastic oil tanks do not rust over time. In steel tanks, rust can form in the bottom of the tank and clog filters. The base and legs of steel tanks can also rust over time. This could cause the steel tank to fail and lead to spills and serious pollution. Using a plastic tank removes the risk of rusting and corrosion occurring.
What are they used for?
Plastic bunded tanks are used to store large volumes of heating oil. Some properties are unable to be connected to the main gas grid due to their remote location. For that reason, rural homes often require their own heating system and the most common system used is heating oil.
Bunded oil tanks are considered the safest way to store heating oil due to their unique tank-within-a-tank design. If a leak were to occur, then the outer tank would safely contain any oil to prevent this from harming the surrounding environment. Using a bunded tank for your storage needs ensures that your oil is stored in a safe, secure, and responsible manner. You can have peace of mind knowing that your oil storage complies with all current environmental legislation and regulations.
What sizes do they come in?
Plastic bunded oil tanks come in a range of sizes with a maximum capacity of up to around 9,000 litres. The most popular sizes range between 1000 and 3500 litres. The size of tank you choose will depend on a number of factors such as the size of your property, usage, and space available. Having a larger tank is generally the more economical option as it means you can buy oil in bulk and take advantage of the best deals.
What brands are available?
You can choose between various reputable brands when purchasing a plastic bunded oil tank. The Harlequin 650 HQi is an entry-level bunded oil tank where you can select the additional fixtures that you want to purchase. Atlas bunded oil tanks come in a combination of shapes, capacities, and features and are guaranteed suitable for kerosene to BS2869 - making them idea for heating oil storage. For larger oil storage requirements, the DESO V5000BT can store up to 5,000 litres of oil and there are also brands that have the capacity to store around 10,000 litres of heating oil.
Final thought
A plastic bunded oil tank offers many benefits including - being lightweight and easy to install and manoeuvre, being low maintenance, and allowing flexibility when it comes to choice of design and capacity. Overall, a plastic bunded oil tanks is a safe and efficient way to store heating oil on your property.
