What to Do If Your House Smells Like Heating Oil
It’s one of those things that can keep homeowners with a portable oil system up at night. What do you do if there is an oil smell in the house, and how can you tell if it’s potentially dangerous? The main thing to do when your house smells like oil is to keep calm and investigate the source. If you use heating oil during the winter, it’s also important that you recognize a spill and follow the right steps to ensure safe cleaning.
Is the Heating Oil Smell in Your House Normal?
There are several reasons your oil HVAC system may leave an oil smell. Some odors can be mild and temporary, while others might linger. Knowing the different causes of oil smells is essential in determining if it’s if it’s a sign of a potential hazard. The smell of oil can be caused by something as normal as a tank refill or a potentially dangerous problem like a tank leak.
Finding the Source of the Oil Smell
The first step to determine if the oil smell is normal or a sign to take action is to determine the source and reason for the smell. Some of the common causes of heating oil smell in your home include:
- Tank refill: Refilling your oil tank can create an oil smell. This odor is a natural, normal reaction to refilling your tank and often goes away after a few days.
- Clogged filters: When dust and particles build up in your furnace filter, it can become blocked, leading to a pungent heating oil smell. You can get this smell out of your house by cleaning or changing your air filter.
- First heating system use: A heating oil smell is normal when turning on your heating system for the first time. When dormant, your heating system can gather dust, debris and other particles, causing an oil smell when you turn it on.
- Heating system wear: Improperly maintained or damaged heating system parts can create a burning oil smell, which can linger and become a safety hazard without proper maintenance or repairs.
- Oil tank leak: A leak in your tank can cause a persistent oil odor and be a safety concern. A professional can inspect your oil tank for leaks and repair the system, removing smells and safety hazards.
What Does Heating Oil Smell Like?
Heating oil has a chemical-like smell similar to kerosene or diesel. If you notice a strong, persistent burnt smell, it can indicate heating system wear, leaks or damage.
How Dangerous Is an Oil Leak?
Oil spills and leaks might not be as catastrophic as the potential effects of a gas leak. However, it can affect indoor air quality, cause slips and damage your heating system and the wood or other materials in surrounding areas.
An oil leak can also cause some health side effects like:
- Skin irritation
- Dizziness and headaches
- Coughing and lung issues
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
- Eye, nose and throat allergies or irritations
What to Do in Case of an Oil Spill
In case of a spill, the main thing to remember is to put your safety first, whether you’re dealing with a small leak or a wide spill. Survey the area surrounding your tank for any oil remnants and reach out to your heating oil supplier or an HVAC professional to ascertain whether repairs or a replacement are needed.
For large spills, you need to notify the regional Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), use absorbent materials to stop the oil from spreading and contact a professional to clean up. Professionals can accurately inspect and clean spills depending on their size and severity.
Here are some ways you can clean and prevent an oil leak or spill from spreading before getting professional help:
- Keep family members and children clear from spills and leaks.
- Mitigate fire hazards by switching off and unplugging plug points, removing flammable materials and avoiding smoking indoors.
- Ensure good ventilation by opening doors and windows.
- Isolate the smell to the specific area by closing doors to other rooms.
- Call your oil provider and get a professional to diagnose the leak, clean the spill and fix the tank.
How to Clean up a Heating Oil Spill
If you encounter a minor spill, you can follow the next steps to clean it:
- Protecting yourself: Ensure you have enough ventilation and wear protective equipment like gloves and disposable shoes.
- Removing the spill: Use cat litter or sawdust to absorb the oil and shovel it into heavy-duty plastic bags.
- Cleaning the surface: Remove any porous object that came in contact with the oil, like carpeting or clothing, and clean the surface with soap and hot water until all oil residue is removed.
How to Get Rid of the Heating Oil Smell in Your Home
An oil smell can remain long after you clean spilled oil or fix your heating tank. While ventilation can help to alleviate the odor, you can use many methods, like air fresheners or powder detergents, to eliminate an oil smell.
Some products that can get rid of any stagnant oil smells include:
- Air fresheners: Spray air fresheners throughout your home to eliminate the odor. Using a robust scented air freshener can work well to drown out smell.
- Baking soda: Pour baking soda or a fragranced powder detergent over spills to remove odors.
- Vinegar: If your oil odor comes from burnt or worn furnace components, placing the vinegar near the furnace daily can help soak up burnt odors and residues.
Preventing Spills
Prevention is the best strategy to enjoy your heating system without the hassles of a heating oil leak or spill. Some good practices for preventing spills include:
- Ensuring proper installation
- Having regular maintenance
- Conducting yearly inspections
- Allowing for adequate ventilation
Partner With Marstellar Oil for Safe and Dependable Home Oil Heating
When considering the consequences of an oil leak vs. a gas leak, we at Marstellar Oil highly recommend you use heating oil as the fuel that heats your home. If you are in Central PA, we are happy to provide it.
For over 20 years, Marstellar Oil has been delivering safe, affordable heating oil to homes throughout the Central PA area. We can’t promise that your oil boiler will never leak oil, but if it does, it won’t be because of the quality of our oil.
Order Oil from Marstellar Oil and Concrete Today
We take great pains to ensure you get the highest quality oil possible so you can enjoy safe home heating all winter for years to come. To learn more or place an order, contact Marstellar Oil today.
