On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:07:16 -0500, "Brian V"
wrote:


"---MIKE---" wrote in message
...
My oil tank holds 275 gallons and feeds from the bottom. Every year I
add a gallon of diesel conditioner. I would like to delay my next fill
until April 1st so I don't have to shovel a path for the oil man. I
estimate that there will still be about 40 gallons left in the tank by
then. Is this safe to do?

---MIKE---

In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
(44� 15' N - Elevation 1580')


And when we hit a cold snap (like it is right now) that lasts for an
extended period which results in you using more fuel than you "estimated"
and you run out, what then?

Boil water.

Are you then going to hack your way thru the now
frozen ice and snow to make that path then? Now lets take that one step more
and say that you run out during a big storm and the delivery guys can't get
out to do an emergency delivery for several days... you now have potentially
frozen pipes

If the house is getting cold, open the faucets a trifle and let the
water drip. Hot water too. But it takes several days for a house
to go from 68 to 32.

For the hot water I would run the shower into a stoppered bathtub,
remembering to turn it off before it overflows. Let the steam escape
to fill the house, and don't drain the water until it's room
temperature. You can take a shower or bath in the process, but the
dirt you wash off will settle before you drain the tub. Only takes a
couple minutes to clean, though.

Or boil a gallon or two of water on the stove. It takes about an hour
a quart iiirc. No, it's never caused water to drip off the walls in
my house.

that you may not even find/see for several days which causes
who knows what for damage...

You know what the right answer is.....

-Brian