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(Halifax, NS, February 26, 2015) This year's excessive winter storms have created potential hazards that could lead to loss of heat for your home. The Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) is advising homeowners to check their outdoor home oil heat tanks to prevent damage that could occur from falling snow and icicles accumulating on roofs and eavestroughs. A buildup of snow and ice can snap lines and can cause a leak, which threatens the environment and can be costly for homeowners.

“The top priority for Nova Scotia oil heat companies is keeping their customers warm,” NS COHA Chair, Graham Eisenhauer said. “The last thing any driver wants is to be unable to deliver oil to a home or business because of a lack of access to the tank and fill pipe or damage to the system. Working together against the cold, ice and snow, we can ensure that everyone, including delivery trucks and drivers have safe, easy access to fill the tanks.”

Please take the time to review these simple steps to ensure a safe and reliable oil heating system:

• Carefully remove snow from around your tank, being cautious not to damage the tank, lines, fittings and piping.
• Ensure fill and vent pipes are clear of snow and ice.
• Large amounts of snow or ice sliding from roofs have the potential to damage heating oil tanks and lines. Consumers should safely clear snow or ice buildup from the areas above their tank and fuel lines, before such damages occurs.
• Visually inspect your tank on a routine basis. Look for signs of any leaks, rust, dents or staining. After a winter storm or ice storm passes and it is safe to do so, check the entire area for any damage. Immediately call your local heating oil dealer if you suspect that any hazards exist. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
• Ensure the tank is safely accessible to your oil delivery person. A heating oil hose can weigh more than 100 pounds. Clearing excess snow and ice before the delivery driver arrives is considerate and helps ensure safety as well as timely delivery.
• Yearly maintenance of your oil heat furnace and storage system will increase reliability and performance. Ask your oil heat distributor about maintenance programs.

If you have any concerns about the safety of your home oil heat system, please contact your fuel oil supplier or a licensed oil heat technician to examine the system for you.

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For media inquiries, contact:
Stephen Koch, President
Canadian Oil Heat Association
(P) 1-800-257-1593

The Canadian Oil Heat Association was established in 1983 to develop to support a safe and reliable oil heat industry. COHA represents a membership of over four hundred oil heat professionals, including heating oil dealers, major oil companies, equipment manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors, trainers and other professional stakeholders.