Tenants warned of contaminated home heating oil

Frank O’Connor, North East Area Manager explained that the Executive has seen an increase in the use of contaminated oil in their properties which can cause serious damage to heating systems.

“At a time of great pressures on our budgets, we are using funds to repair this damage that could otherwise be invested in improving or maintaining our homes.

“We would advise our tenants and indeed any householder to be wary of home heating oil being sold door to door and to purchase their oil from established reputable suppliers.”

Although the product is sold as home heating oil, it contains contaminants that can cause considerable damage, with the cost of repairs put at between £500 and £700 per heating system.

Mr. O’Connor explained that pigments from some plastic drums containing the heating oil have the potential to damage the fuel pumps on the oil fired boilers.

The Housing Executive has also warned tenants of the potential harm caused by tipping their oil tanks to increase the flow of oil to their central heating system.

This can not only damage the tank itself, and the pipes, but dirt disturbed from the bottom of the tank can block the pipes which can in turn affect the oil burner. Where there is evidence that damage has been caused to a heating system as a result of tipping the oil tank, the tenant may be held liable for the cost of repairs.