Dispose of the oil tank

Do you have to renovate or do you want to switch your heating to renewable energies? Then you are surely wondering how to dispose of the old oil tank in your basement. You can find out here what costs you will face and how the waste will be handled properly.

Table of contents Table of contents How to dispose of an old oil tank

• What is an oil tank?
• When do you need a new oil tank?
• Special features regarding disposal
• Where do I apply for disposal?
• Disposal step by step
• That's how high the costs are
• Alternatives to heating oil

Table of contents Table of contents How to dispose of an old oil tank

• What is an oil tank?
• When do you need a new oil tank?
• Special features regarding disposal
• Where do I apply for disposal?
• Disposal step by step
• That's how high the costs are
• Alternatives to heating oil

What is an oil tank?

An oil tank or heating oil tank is a large vessel in which the heating oil for the heating system is kept. An oil tank usually holds between 2, 500 and 4, 000 liters, but is also available in custom sizes as a special order. It usually consists of plastic or steel. Adjusted to the conditions on site, the oil tank can be in the garden or in the basement. Depending on the parking space, the size of the tank is determined by the location and is therefore somewhat limited when in doubt. Depending on requirements, a tank truck comes several times a year and fills the oil tank with new heating oil. On average, you pay 1, 500 euros for the purchase and installation.

When do you need a new oil tank?

The question of how to dispose of your old oil tank is usually confronted with when you want to switch your heating to renewable energies or when the tank shows signs of age-related damage. But where to put the oil tank? The homeowner cannot regulate the disposal all by himself, the process must be carried out by a specialist company, since countless regulations must be observed.

Special features regarding disposal

When disposing of an old oil tank, some very important things have to be taken into account, because it is not entirely safe. A few drops of heating oil can contaminate several hundred liters of drinking water - this is where a specialist company has to work! So that the environment or nature is never endangered when the tank is dismantled, there are legal regulations that are laid down in the Water Resources Act, or WHG for short, and in the Ordinance on Systems for Handling Water-Hazardous Substances (VAwS). Specialist companies are familiar with these rules and dispose of the oil tank properly.

Where do I apply for disposal?

The disposal of an oil tank must not be undertaken by any craftsman. Only qualified installers are permitted for this special task. It is best to find out from an on-site installer or directly from the water management office. Our tip: get several offers and compare them.

Disposal step by step

If you have decided to have your old oil tank disposed of, the procedure is as follows:

The heating expert will first disconnect the connection between the actual boiler and the oil tank and remove the pipes. This first step is called "decommissioning". If the tank is not empty, the specialist will pump out the remaining heating oil. The situation is different with the so-called sludge layer, which may have formed on the bottom of the oil tank. It must also be pumped out and then disposed of separately from the tank.

Once the oil tank is empty, it can be removed. The tank is professionally dismantled by cutting it up and then driving the individual parts to a disposal point. The specialist company also takes on this part. Good to know: In most cases, the professional will not only remove the old oil tank, but also install the new heater directly.

The disposal is also checked. The water management office must be informed about the process and also requires written proof.

The steps at a glance:

1. Measure the oil level
2. Pump out residual oil
3. Clean the oil tank
4. Remove the oil tank
5. Dispose of the oil tank in parts

That's how high the costs are

The costs for the disposal of an old oil tank depend on the size, material, type, degree of contamination and level. The price ranges from 500 euros to around 2, 000 euros.

Alternatives to heating oil

Heating with heating oil has become quite expensive in Germany. Alternatives to this type of heating are heating with renewable energies, for example with pellets, or the installation of a gas heating.

Maren Schwarz