Check fuel oil tank: as often as you should check the tank

Around ten million households in Germany are heated with heating oil. Whether a tank is tight must be checked regularly depending on the area. Who has to have the tightness of the heating oil tank checked and when.

Overview

In most houses, oil heating is fed from a tank in the basement. The owner is responsible for the tightness of the tank. But how often does he have to check whether the tank is still OK? And what exams are still to come?

How often does it have to be checked?

How often a heating oil tank has to be checked is stipulated nationwide in the so-called "Ordinance on systems for handling water-polluting substances" (AwSV). It mainly depends on whether you live in a protected area, whether the tank is underground and how big it is. It can be roughly said that above-ground tanks with a capacity of more than 1,000 liters that are operated in a protected area and all tanks with a capacity of more than 10,000 liters must be inspected regularly every five years by experts under water law. The operator places the order in good time before the deadline expires.

As a rule, a recurring inspection is carried out every five years. Underground tanks in protection or flood areas even have to be inspected every two and a half years. Outside of protected areas, they must be re-examined every five years. Systems that have to be inspected regularly receive an inspection sticker. If this is missing, the heating oil supplier can refuse to fill it up. In addition, the oil heating is regularly checked by the chimney sweep for exhaust gas values ​​and fire protection regulations.

Systems that have to be inspected regularly receive an inspection sticker. If this is missing, the heating oil supplier can refuse to fill it up. As a rule, a recurring test is carried out every five years. In addition, according to KÜO, your oil heating system should be checked by a chimney sweep every two years.

You can find out the specific deadlines and rules from the responsible authorities:

When does a first check have to take place?

Depending on how old the heating oil tank is, the first regular or recurring inspection takes place at different times or must have taken place (§ 70 AwSV).

Caution: The information does not apply to heating oil consumption systems.

Authority calls for tank inspection

Outside of protected areas, tanks with a total capacity of up to 10,000 liters are not subject to recurring inspections by experts. New systems are reported to the authorities in good time before they are installed and are checked by experts before they are put into operation.

Anyone who has to have their tank checked will be notified in writing by the authorities if the deadline is exceeded. It is usually the Lower Water Authority that asks those affected to commission an expert and has the results presented to them by the expert.

InfoOil tanks that are installed in rooms, for example in the basement, are above ground.

The authorities also say which experts are allowed to do this. After qualifying, the experts may call themselves "experts for testing systems for handling water-polluting substances". Depending on the complexity of the test, the costs are around 100 euros – however, there are no uniform test fees.

No regulations in the federal states

The AwSV applies in all federal states. Therefore, the regulations on the obligation to test and control heating oil consumption tanks are uniform. Thus, the specifications do not differ in the respective capacity of the tanks.

Owner is liable for damage

The operator of the oil tank is responsible for damage - according to the Water Resources Act (WHG), even if he has checked the tank regularly.

The providers of special insurance for oil tanks regularly ask the owners of the heating oil tanks to have an inspection carried out by experts in accordance with water law to ensure that they are in proper condition.

Are there any innovations from the climate protection program for oil heating?

On November 1, 2020, the Building Energy Act (GEG) came into force. It not only brings together previous regulations, but also takes into account new content from the federal government's climate protection package. As a result, there are new regulations for houses with oil heating - but this does not result in a general ban on the tried-and-tested heating system.

For homeowners with an oil heating system in the basement, the most important point is that existing oil heating systems can continue to be operated and modernized. Up to and including 2025, existing boilers can be replaced with modern oil condensing boilers as usual. Other rules only apply to homeowners in Baden-Württemberg. The specifications of the state-specific Renewable Heat Act (EWärmeG) must already be observed there. In Hamburg, the validity of state regulations is still unclear.

You can still have an oil heater installed after 2025. However, special requirements apply here: it is then necessary to integrate renewable energies – such as solar thermal systems.

Even if there is no gas or district heating network and no renewable energies can be integrated proportionately, the installation of an oil heating system alone is still permitted. If the homeowner has already combined his oil heating system with a solar system, he can replace the boiler at any time, since the building is already partially supplied with renewable energies.

What is a hybrid heater?

It uses multiple energy sources, typically oil or gas along with renewable energies such as solar or thermal energy from the air or ground. In hybrid solutions, the renewable energies for heating and hot water are used first. Oil or gas is only switched on when there is a very high demand for heat in winter. This significantly reduces their consumption.

Are there exceptions to the regulations?

Yes, in cases of hardship. The law says "none of this applies to unreasonable hardship" - i.e. in cases where extreme inefficiency can be proven. According to experts, however, it is not yet entirely clear how exactly this will be regulated in practice. In most cases, you will then have to have your system converted. For most homeowners, on the other hand - two-thirds to three-quarters of the cases - there will be no major problems, according to experts.

Are there any subsidies for switching to hybrid heating?

Anyone who does not want to rely on district heating or gas should switch to a hybrid heating system by 2026. The state offers financial support to all those who want to act before 2026 - on the one hand for the exchange, on the other hand for switching to an alternative form of heating.

Another possibility is a tax incentive. House or apartment owners can deduct 20 percent of the investment – ​​up to a maximum of 40,000 euros – from their taxes over three years.

With this measure, however, according to the BDH, it is not possible to exchange an old oil-fired boiler for a new one. And a switch to a gas condensing boiler should only be possible if you rely on a system that is "renewable ready" in the technical jargon: in future it can also be operated with other environmentally friendly energy sources without major conversions - in other words, another hybrid solution. The direct admixture of renewable energies is also eligible.

There should also be a scrapping premium. Under certain circumstances, there may still be subsidies for a heating method that continues to use oil as an energy source. According to the BDH, there should be a 30 percent subsidy for the costs of the solar system when replacing an oil boiler with new oil condensing technology with EU energy efficiency class A and integrating a solar thermal system. The specific figures for this have not yet been determined.

How to recognize damage to the tank system

Indications of damage are cracks in the wall or a damaged oil-tight coat of paint. A regular visual and functional check by the operator includes checking the system for leaks and the functionality of the safety devices, such as the leak detector. Are there oil stains on the floor or rust stains on the equipment? Is the heating oil tank damaged, does it have cracks or is it deformed? Is the collection room dirty or damaged? A warning sign is also if it smells noticeably of heating oil.

Anyone who discovers an irregularity in the heating oil tank must consult an approved specialist company under water law. If a significant amount of heating oil gets outside the tank system, the damage must be reported. Contact points are the responsible lower water authority of the respective district or the nearest police station. The owner is responsible for repairing the damage. The costs for the elimination of environmental damage can be avoided by independently observing the control and test specifications.