What Is “Gelling”? How Can I Avoid It?

If you live or own a business in an area with cold winters and have an outdoor heating oil tank, using normal #2 heating oil can cause a number of problems.

That’s because when heating oil drops to a certain temperature, it begins to solidify — similar to water turning to ice. But when heating oil freezes, it doesn’t turn into a solid the way ice does – it simply becomes thicker, creating a kind of sludge. This thickening is commonly called gelling (sometimes called waxing).

Gelling can affect your system in several different areas, including your:

• Heating Oil Tank — When heating oil gels in the tank, the heavier sludge settles to the bottom; as more oil settles, less interior tank space and less burnable oil remains.
• Heating Oil Lines — As gelled oil is pumped through heating oil lines it builds on the walls, narrowing the passage way. With less fuel reaching the igniter, efficiency suffers.
• Atomizing Nozzle — The opening at the end of the atomizing nozzle is very small, but it’s designed to allow heating oil to pass through so it can be misted for combustion. Gelled fuel can block that nozzle, meaning that less oil will get through to convert to heat.
• Fuel Filter — As gelled oil is forced through the filter, it clogs quickly and needs more frequent replacement.

Treated Heating Oil: A Cold Weather Solution

At Woodruff, we offer quality heating oil that is chemically treated to lower its gel point. Economical, efficient, and cold-resistant, our blended oil will keep the heat coming through the long, cold New Jersey winter. As our service area’s most reliable fuel supplier, Woodruff Energy is the go-to source for cold weather fuel solutions.

Need reliable heating oil service in southern NJ? Woodruff Energy delivers. Contact us today to learn more about heating oil deliveries in southern New Jersey.