Oil heat is common in Connecticut, especially in older homes and in areas without natural gas lines. If you've never lived with it, it's simple once you know how the pieces fit together.
Here's how oil heat works, what your inspector will check and what to do before you buy.
How oil heat works
An oil heating system has two main parts: the oil tank that stores the fuel, and the furnace or boiler that burns it to heat the house.
The oil tank is usually located in the basement or garage. A fuel line runs from the tank to the heating system, and a fill pipe runs from the tank to the outside of the house.
The furnace or boiler contains an oil burner that sprays a fine mist of oil into a combustion chamber, where it's ignited. The heat is then delivered through the house in one of two ways:
- A furnace heats air. A blower pushes the warm air through ductwork and out of vents in each room. This is often called forced hot air, and the same ducts can often be used for central air conditioning.
- A boiler heats water. The hot water circulates through pipes to baseboard heaters or radiators in each room. In many Connecticut homes, the boiler also heats the home's hot water, either with a coil inside the boiler or with a separate storage tank.
Exhaust from the burner leaves the house through a chimney or vent.
How oil delivery works
Most homeowners have a service agreement with an oil provider, who automatically delivers oil at regular intervals based on how much the home uses. Because the fill pipe is outside, the oil company can fill the tank at their convenience, without anyone needing to be home.
Many oil companies also offer service plans that include an annual tune-up, which typically involves cleaning the burner and replacing the filter and nozzle so the system runs efficiently.
What your inspector checks
The heating system. The inspector will run the furnace or boiler and check that it fires up and heats properly. They'll look at the burner, the visible parts of the system and the chimney or vent connection, note the system's approximate age and look for a service tag showing when it was last serviced.
The oil tank. The inspector will check the tank to make sure it's in good condition and not too old, looking for things like rust, dents, leaks or weeping, and the condition of the fuel line and tank legs.
Signs of a buried tank. The inspector will also look for signs that there was ever a buried oil tank on the property, such as an old fill or vent pipe coming out of the ground.
What about buried tanks?
Buried oil tanks were once common, but it's been decades since they were standard practice for homes, and in Connecticut it's now very rare to find an unknown or untreated buried tank.
If there is any evidence of one, your REALTOR® can ask the sellers whether they're aware of a tank and whether they have paperwork showing it was properly removed or closed. If they don't, your agent can check with the town hall or fire marshal for records. The reason it's worth checking is that an old buried tank can leak over time, so you want to know the full history before you buy.
What to do before you buy
- Ask how old the furnace or boiler and the oil tank are, and look for the most recent service tag.
- Ask the sellers for service records and the name of their oil provider.
- Ask about the home's typical oil usage so you can estimate heating costs.
- If there's any sign of a buried tank, ask for paperwork and have your agent check town records.
- Set up your own oil delivery and service plan before you move in, so you're never caught with an empty tank.
Final thought
Oil heat is a reliable and familiar way to heat a home in Connecticut. Know how the system works, make sure it's been maintained and confirm the tank's history, and you'll be ready for your first winter.
Looking at homes with oil heat and have questions? Request a buyer consultation. I'm always happy to help.