Does heating oil freeze in cold weather?
Yes, it can, but it has to be very cold!
Heating oil can freeze when the temperature drops to minus 47 degrees Celsius. The heating oil will turn into a thick, gel-like wax at this temperature, creating a sort of sludge.
As a result, it can be very difficult for the heating oil to flow through your oil fired central heating system, and this can cause damage to your system in several different areas, such as to the oil lines, the nozzle, and the filter.
Whilst highly unlikely that the heating oil in your tank will freeze when you live in the UK, fuel lines can freeze in cold weather conditions. If you suspect your oil system has already clogged due to gelling, you should immediately contact an OFTEC registered oil heating engineer to get your system back up and running.
There are things you can do to prevent your heating oil from freezing. You can:
- Add a winter additive to your heating oil – contact our customer service team on 01765 640682 to find out more or to place your order.
- Insulate your fuel lines
- Ensure your boiler is serviced annually