Plastic Bunded Oil Tanks

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Atlantis Tanks’ plastic bunded heating oil tanks are built to deliver reliability and low-maintenance convenience, providing robust, double-layered protection for both domestic and commercial applications. With our specialised in-house delivery service and two decades of experience, we ensure a seamless, direct-to-site installation, even in challenging locations.

Need some help choosing the best tank for the job?

Talk to our team. Our experience means we can find solutions to almost every challenge. In the meantime, we outline the benefits and the different shape options of bunded plastic tanks to help you make the right choice.

Why Choose a Plastic Bunded Heating Oil Tank?

In our experience, there are 3 main advantages that plastic variants have for customers:

1. Cost-effectiveness

The respective total costs of raw materials and manufacturing for plastic and steel oil tank alternatives differ. It means that the plastic option can be offered to customers at marginally lower costs than steel for a similar bunded capacity. And being lighter, a plastic tank is also easier (and therefore cheaper) to transport and install.

The potential savings over steel are also enjoyed in the medium term, as plastic will never corrode. This can be a problem with steel because regular de-rusting and repainting of a steel tank may be required to keep it in good condition and prevent leaks.

2. Plastic offers durability and strength

Resistance to corrosion isn’t the only factor that makes a plastic oil tank a more durable option to steel. The rotational moulding process creates a seamless tank with no welded joints. Manufacturing defects, the internal pressure of the stored oil, or wear and tear over time can, very occasionally, cause weld lines to deteriorate and fail.

Its relatively poor heat conductivity also means plastic is better suited to withstand the physical stresses caused by expansion and contraction from seasonal temperature variations. Over time, this may increase the risk of welded steel seams failing.

Plastic tanks are also better at absorbing the energy from minor impacts or accidents. The same impact force on a steel tank may not be absorbed as well. This force can then transfer to the welded seams and  may occasionally cause them to crack.

3. Availability

The moulding process to make a plastic bunded oil tank is quicker than cutting, shaping and welding steel. Whilst Atlantis Tanks maintains good stock levels for each of the 12 plastic bunded tanks we have on this page, buyers may sometimes find that delivery times are quicker for plastic tanks than for steel.

Benefits of a Bunded Oil Tank Over a Single Skinned Tank

Reduce Pollution – A double-skinned tank creates an internal bund which is large enough to hold the full contents of the inner tank if this should burst. This prevents oil escaping into the environment, often keeping it clean enough for it to be salvaged and used.

Double Protection – The external skin of a bunded tank also acts as a defensive layer against external impacts. Even if it is pierced, providing the impact doesn’t reach the inner skin, the oil supply will be safe and can be used until the tank is repaired or replaced.

Cost Advantage – The cost of a single-skinned tank is always going to be lower than that of a bunded tank, but as a bunded tank is a legal requirement in most situations, this becomes immaterial. 

Regulatory Compliance – The only time that you may be allowed to install a single-skinned tank is if it is serving a domestic property and has a 2,500 litre bunded capacity or less. Even in these situations, a bunded tank may still be required if the tank is situated close to a building or boundary, a watercourse or groundwater source. Restrictions also apply in environmentally sensitive areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Longevity – However, single-skinned tanks also have a shorter expected lifespan and will require more frequent inspection and maintenance to keep them in good order; factors that increase the cost over the total life of the tank.

Fewer Leaks – Finally, a single-skinned tank is more in danger of damage and leakage. If this happens, there will be the cost of replacing the tank and even environmental pollution fines.

Selecting the Best Storage Capacity and Style For Your Bunded Plastic Oil Tank

If you decide to have a bunded plastic oil tank, you will need to consider what capacity and style you need.

Getting your heating oil tank capacity right

Start by considering how much heating oil your property will consume and how frequently you will refill the tank. This will be higher during the colder months, so ensure your tank is large enough to see you through those seasons.

Each year, a typical UK household that uses heating oil consumes around 21,000 kWh of energy for heating. As heating oil generates about 10.35 kWh per litre, this is about 2,000 litres a year. For a more accurate estimate, ask a local oil distributor to calculate it based on your actual property.

Also consider how much oil you will buy each time you refill the tank. Your tank’s capacity must exceed the delivered volume as you should ensure there is at least 30 cm of oil still in the tank when it is refilled. Allowing it to drop below this can lead to issues such as the sediment in the bottom of the tank entering the fuel feed system and clogging up pipes and filters.

Matching your heating oil tank shape to its location

Plastic heating oil tanks are manufactured in a range of styles to fit the requirements and restrictions of the available space.

Horizontal heating oil tanks 

These offer high-capacity storage but have a comparatively large footprint, so are less ideal where space is limited. Being horizontal, however, means that the filling point on the top of the tank is more accessible.

Vertical heating oil tank

If high-capacity storage is required but ground space is limited, a vertical heating oil tank is probably the best option as it has a relatively small footprint. Its additional height means the refill point is less accessible, and the tank will be more visible and harder to conceal, which might not be so ideal for a domestic setting.

Low-profile heating oil tanks 

These are like horizontal heating oil tanks but are wider and squatter. Although this means they have an even larger footprint, it also allows them to be installed in a position where there is limited headroom or to conceal it more effectively – behind a low wall, for example.

Slimline heating oil tanks 

These can be installed where the width of a space is limited, such as down the side of a house.

What to Look For When Choosing a Plastic Bunded Heating Oil Tank

A wide range of manufacturers offer plastic bunded heating oil tanks, but they aren’t all identical. The three most important factors to consider when choosing a tank are quality, certification and range of accessories

  1. Quality – A plastic tank should be made from high-grade plastic with UV-resistant additives. If you are comparing tanks, also ask for the thicknesses of the tank walls as this can vary.
  2. Certifications – Check that the tank is properly certified to comply with safety and environmental standards. On the subject of accreditations, its also best to check that your installer is certified under the UK Government’s Competent Person Scheme. This is because that they can self-certify your installation and so avoid costly and time-consuming compliance checks by building control companies or with a building notice application through your local council. The schemes that are relevant to heating oil and hot water systems:
    – APHC
    – BESCA
    – Blue Flame Certification
    – Certsure
    – HETAS
    – NAPIT
    OFTEC
  3. Available accessories – You may also want to check what accessories are included or can be added to the oil tank. A manual or electronic level gauge is essential to monitor oil usage and know when it’s time to refill the tank, while an electronic alarm will notify you if the oil level suddenly drops, either due to theft or a sudden leak. Atlantis also sells oil filters with these tanks that remove particulates for a cleaner burn.

We Answer Your Plastic Oil Tank FAQs

A: We find that such tanks last between 10-15 years before signs of warping or splits occur. There are exceptions at each end of the scale depending on how exposed to the elements, quality of installation and the frequency of checks and basic care measures. Click on the heading for an in depth look at this topic.

A: The answer is a firm “Yes.”. Manufacturer reputation, design, materials quality, molding methodology and proper installation can all affect buyer’s purchase and ownership experience. Good certification covers most of the bases in this regard except the installation variable. In the vast majority of cases, they are a superb option to store your heating oil in a safe and cost effective way. Click on the headline for more details.

  • Can I use a plastic tank for heating oil?

A: Yes, of-course. Our plastic oil storage tanks are designed and made to store your heating oil for years to come. They’re built to withstand the sun, rain, heat and cold. Their bunded design will keep your oil safe and your property pollution-free.

Further Reading

Why You Should Buy a Bunded Oil Tank
Choosing the right oil tank for domestic heating
No space for an oil tank? A slimline tank could be right for you
Oil Storage Tank Regulations for Domestic Use
Oil Storage Tanks – What Tank is Right for You?
Make Siting Your Tank Easy by Using Fire Protection Barriers
Your oil tank warranty
Choosing the right oil tank for domestic heating
No space for an oil tank? A slimline tank could be right for you
Make Siting Your Tank Easy by Using Fire Protection Barriers
Why You Should Buy a Bunded Oil Tank
Oil Storage Tank Regulations for Domestic Use
What’s Best for Me – A Plastic Oil Tank or a Steel Oil Tank?
Oil Storage Tanks – What Tank is Right for You?

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