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Rhoads Energy has been proudly serving the heating
and cooling needs of Lancaster County since 1917. |
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| Article - TankSure:
The new ultrasound tool for homeowners -
and home sellers |
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Heating oil provides winter comfort for about 40 percent of the homes in our region. Unfortunately, heating oil tanks typically corrode from the inside out, so they can wear thin or even begin leaking without any visible warning.
Until recently, homeowners have never had a way to determine whether that heating oil tank in the garage or basement was on sound footing - or on its last legs.
Now, Rhoads Energy, which has been serving Chester County for several decades, offers TankSure, a program that uses ultrasound technology to measure whether a home heating-oil tank is near the end of its useful life.
"Your heating oil tank may look perfectly fine, but it could be dangerously close to the end of its useful life," said David Esch, service manager for Rhoads Energy. "By taking advantage of modern sound-wave technology, we're able to give the homeowner a sense of security - or advance warning that a problem is on the horizon."
Lately, the TankSure program has also drawn interest from home inspectors, Realtors and home sellers, who see value in reassuring potential buyers about an oil tank's integrity.
How TankSure works
The typical oil tank has a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, but that lifespan can be reduced by a variety of conditions, including dampness. Until the introduction of TankSure, the industry standard has been to replace a fuel tank after it shows signs of wear.
By then, however, a tank may already pose a danger to the home or to the environment. An aging tank could leak oil or, worse, collapse under its own weight. A full 275-gallon heating oil tank weighs about one ton.
Through TankSure, Rhoads Energy can identify and manage tank problems in advance. Specially trained technicians measure the thickness of home heating tanks using an ultrasound device about the size of a cell phone.
If the ultrasonic test indicates a tank is safe, Rhoads provides the homeowner with a warranty that pays for full replacement of a standard steel tank* if the tank becomes unstable.
For tanks that pass the initial ultrasound test, Rhoads also offers long-term prevention by placing a zinc anode into the tank. This ball, about the size of a large marble, releases chemicals that ward off corrosion caused by moisture build-up inside the tank.
In addition, Rhoads performs annual ultrasound monitoring for TankSure participants.
A new use for ultrasound technology
While Rhoads introduced TankSure to protect homeowners, the test has begun to draw attention from the region's home sellers and Realtors.
In fact, many forward-thinking home inspectors have begun to add TankSure to their battery of tests. This September, Rhoads Energy hosted a seminar about TankSure exclusively for home inspectors in the region.
"Inspectors have a lot of interest in TankSure, because it helps them provide the customer with a more comprehensive report," said Michael DeBerdine III, president of Rhoads Energy. "Since we introduced inspectors and Realtors this program, we've had a lot of positive feedback."
TankSure can be a strong marketing tool for sellers, DeBerdine said, because it can remove doubt from the buyer's mind. Buyers who arrange for a TankSure test can learn whether a tank replacement is necessary, so they can negotiate replacement before the completion of the sale.
And, if a tank has been pre-inspected, the new homeowner can take advantage of the tank insurance.
"We originally adopted TankSure to provide more peace-of-mind to our long-time customers," DeBerdine said. "We're glad that the parties involved in home sales also appreciate the program's value."
* updated 5/1/09
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