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KenDurf t1_j6n1xoy wrote

I have an unheated basement where my oil tank and boiler are. Do I need to keep an electric heater on to avoid the oil in the unheated basement from freezing? I guess heating oil just gels, and that happens at 16 degrees, so my assumption is that the system will be fine but you know what they say about assumptions!

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OnePsychological6076 OP t1_j6n57kv wrote

If you have a thermometer put it in the basement and monitor that the temperature doesn’t fall below 45F. Most likely this will not happen as your boiler and the heat piping in the basement will maintain above 45. We generally are not concerned with inside oil tanks gelling because of this. If you had an outside oil tank I’d recommend having a 25-30% kerosene to 70-75% heating oil mixture in your tank to reduce the gelling at extreme low temperatures.

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KenDurf t1_j6n660m wrote

You’re a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks for getting back to me and will do.

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eljefino t1_j6ph7zw wrote

Yup. Some people will put that foam stuff on all the heat piping in the basement to "save energy" but I would only do that near walls or drafts. That piping leaks a little heat to keep the basement somewhat tepid, which is good in the upcoming scenario.

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BonelessSugar t1_j6n4wu6 wrote

Oil won't freeze like water in pipes will.

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KenDurf t1_j6n6z3z wrote

I’m no HVAC guy but I do have a decent amount of chemistry - anything will freeze under the right conditions. We’re getting to some laboratory levels of cold and I prefer to be cautious over having an issue with the thing keeping the water in my pipes from freezing. I like OP’s thermometer suggestion.

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eljefino t1_j6phdg7 wrote

The oil should have thermal mass to keep on keeping on. It's only going to be super-cold for a day. If you want you can buy diesel anti-gel at an auto parts store and pour it down your fill pipe. I'm not sure how well it would mix, though, unless you maybe pour five gallons of diesel or kerosene after it.

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