homebuyer advice>gas or electric heat

Alternative Heating Source - Gas or Electric

What should you do?

 Step 1. Look for warning signs that a buried tank may exist on the property.

Years ago, when homeowners converted to gas or electric from heating oil, there were no laws requiring the safe closure of buried oil tanks.  Therefore, these homes may still have oil tanks located somewhere on the premises.

Here are some of the warning signs that indicate the home may have an abandoned buried oil tank: 

Home was built prior to 1970s.
Pipes are visible sticking up from the ground in the yard or driveway.
Evidence of extra fuel lines running from the basement outside the home.
Neighbors and local area homes use oil heat in their homes.
 

Step 2. Warning signs are present.  You suspect there may be an underground tank.

Recommendation: You should identify whether a buried oil tank exists before you purchase the property. How?  ATS offers expert tank location services.  Using special electronic locators and probes, ATS will detect the presence of any underground steel tanks anywhere on the property. See our Locate Tanks page to learn more about this issue and our tank location services.