The Government has decided that, from 2020, the use of fossil fuel oil for heating will be prohibited and all underground oil tanks must be removed. It has also been decided that the owner of the property is responsible for ensuring this is done.
To speed up the process of removing as many oil tanks as possible by 2020, Enova offers financial support if you remove your oil tank and, at the same time, switch to a climate-friendly energy source for your heating.
Apart from the financial support, there are several good reasons to remove oil-fired boilers and tanks. You’ll be making a positive contribution to the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, you won’t have to worry about oil leaks, newer heating solutions save money, and, not least, once the ban comes into force in 2020, you will no longer receive financial support.
Here you will find an introduction to how to go about removing your oil tank, as well as how you can receive support from Enova.
START BY GATHERING AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN
Are you unsure whether you have an old oil tank buried on your property? Contact your local council – they have a register of all buried tanks.
Furthermore, you must gather as much information as possible about the tank. This can be difficult to track down, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t find answers to everything. The information is primarily intended to ensure that the work can be carried out as safely and efficiently as possible. What you should try to find out is:
- The age of the tank
- What the tank is made of
- How big is the tank?
- Where it is located on the property
- Where the pipes and cables are located
- When it last underwent a condition check
CALL VITEK TO GET THE JOB DONE
At VITEK, we have qualified professionals on our books who can carry out the entire job for you safely and efficiently.
Some people might say that you can save money by digging out the tank yourself, but this is something we at VITEK advise against. There is a risk of damaging the tank, particularly if it is old and fragile. In the event of damage or a leak from the tank, the work will be far more extensive and the costs will increase considerably.
Emptying, cleaning and removing oil tanks are tasks that require specialist expertise. VITEK naturally possesses this expertise, which is a prerequisite for being approved as a contractor for this work.
Watch a video about the removal of an oil tanker:
REPLACE THE OIL TANK WITH A RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE
To receive financial support from Enova, the work involved in removing oil-fired boilers and tanks must be carried out by a registered company, and documentation of the costs must be provided in accordance with Norwegian laws and regulations. VITEK meets all these requirements and ensures that you receive all the necessary documentation.
Once the oil tank has been removed, you must install a heating solution that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. In some cases, your oil tank may be in such good condition that it can remain in place and be used for fossil-free oil heating, such as bio-oil. Before the tank can be used for this purpose, it must be inspected and cleaned.
For use as a new heat source, you can choose from the following: an air-to-water heat pump, a liquid-to-water heat pump, a wood-burning stove with a water jacket, or a wood-fired boiler. Please note that air-to-air heat pumps are not included in this scheme.
SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITY AND ENOVA
To have your oil tank removed, you can expect to pay between 10,000 and 30,000 kr. In special cases, where the tank is difficult to access or in very poor condition, it may end up costing more. The Enova grant is intended to cover part of the costs you have incurred in connection with the removal of the tank. You can also apply for a grant to remove the oil-fired boiler if it is located at your holiday home.
Once VITEK has removed your oil tank and you have installed a new renewable heating source, you should register your costs with Enova. You must ensure you attach all documentation relating to the work and details of the new heating source. Once your application has been processed by Enova, you will be given the option to have the money paid out immediately or to have it included as part of your tax return. Please also note that details of the work carried out will be sent to your local authority. This is always included in VITEK’s quotes.
Here you can find an up-to-date overview of the subsidy rates for the removal of an oil tank and the installation of a new heating system.
HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES, PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS HAVE THEIR OWN SUPPORT SCHEMES
There are specific support schemes for housing associations, co-operative housing societies and commercial operators. One thing that applies to everyone living in a detached house, a housing co-operative or running a business is that the oil tank must be dug up and removed – and it is the owner of the property or building who is responsible.
Do you have any further questions, or do you need VITEK’s help to safely remove your oil tank? Please get in touch with us for a friendly chat.