How to achieve a net-zero home? Step 1: Start with oil tank removal.
Gonna be a short post here, content of which pretty much self-explanatory from title- we are striving for a net-zero home. :)
We’ve already ordered our solar panels so the next logical step while awaiting the panels’ delivery and installation is to remove the oil tank.
My husband was in-charge of this and his process was basically:
1. Google “Cost to remove oil tank in MA”.
According to Mass.gov, “Removal contractors generally charge between $1,000 and $2,500+ depending on the size of the tank, its condition, and how easily it can be reached.”
2. Open Google Maps, pick out an oil tank removal company based on reviews.
He found Rag Man Oil Tank Removal from Haverhill, gave the company a call, was quoted a cost of $550-800 and was promised a visit the next day afternoon. The next day afternoon, was Good Friday by the way! 🙀 Major brownie points there- doubt my PCP could even attend to me that quickly. We were sold on price and speed before the guys even got to our house.
How to Remove an Oil Tank
Here’s Phillip the owner (gentleman in sleeveless shirt) and Pete working on dismantling the pipes.
There was insufficient space to maneuver our tank past the entrance of the crawlspace as the deck stairs were blocking it, so Phillip had to saw our tank into not one, not two, but THREE pieces. And each time after he sawed, Pete would drag 1/3 of the tank up the (45 degrees!) slope because he was cautious to not drag it over our steps. 😓
It’s the epitome of hard work. We couldn’t be more grateful!!
Any oil drips were cleaned up well.
Pro tip:
If you’ve got a cement floor like mine, just throw down some cement powder. It absorbs the oil and can be easily vacuumed away after. Phillip shared that if it’s not concete he’d use kitten litter.
Big smiles after the job was complete!
Phillip charged us $550.00 in-spite of the extra work he and Pete did to remove our tank. We gave them a big tip, of which I noticed Phillip gave more of it to Pete. What an awesome boss.
I’d initially thought Phillip and Pete to be rather aloof because they’d simply came, said hi and got to work immediately. No small talk whatsoever.
BUT after they were done they were really friendly!! Phillip in particular, was animated and cute 🤭. Before founding Rag Man Oil, he worked in Raytheon where an unfortunate vehicle accident crushed his knee and put him out of work. He hauled junk after that and it was during those days that he realized that hauling metal was the most valuable part of the job- voilà company founded!
Also, note their neat trunk. Pete’s a self-proclaimed neat freak so he organized all of that when he joined Phillip’s company. I mean, look at the wrench hung in order of length. It’s practically Marie Kondo-approved.
Alright, now that we have no more fuel for heat, my next step is to get an electrical heating system pronto before the winter sets in again and wipe us out. I’m thinking one of those Mitsubishi electric furnaces. Will let you know how it goes!