Winter Diesel Storage Guide

Protect Your Diesel Through Winter and Beyond

The winter months are often less forgiving to our hardworking fuels, whether it be diesel fuel for operating vehicles and machinery or heating oils to keep homes and commercial buildings warm during the colder months. Of course, beyond fuels, the infrastructure we rely on to store and contain our fuels is as vitally important too.

Here at Nationwide Fuels, we have been supplying fuels and lubricants across the UK for over 65 years. Thanks to our vast experience, we know that even the best quality fuels are affected by severe winter weather if action isn’t taken to protect tanks and pipework. Learn how you can prevent snow, wind, rain and freezing temperatures from halting your business in its tracks this winter.

Can you store diesel all year round?

Diesel can be stored for extended periods of up to a year, provided that it is kept in tanks or bowsers that are in good condition and are protected from the elements..

However, diesel actually comes in two different grades: winter-grade diesel and summer-grade diesel. You can find out more about the differences between winter and summer grades of diesel in our guide, but the short explanation is that winter-grade diesel contains additives that give it a far greater resistance to gelling in cold weather.

Summer grade diesel doesn’t have these protections, leaving your fuel vulnerable to:

• Paraffin issues – the paraffin content within your fuel can crystallise in low temperatures, which blocks lines and filters.
• Sludge buildup – temperature fluctuations lead to water forming inside your tank, causing an accumulation of sludge. This too can clog filters and can also result in tank corrosion.
• Fuel starvation – without addressing these issues, you can starve your equipment of fuel, which leads to engine damage and unplanned downtime.

What can you do to avoid diesel problems this winter?

There are a number of steps that you can take to safeguard not only your fuel, but your business too:

• Protect your tank, pipework and other equipment from the elements – Sheltering your vital infrastructure helps to prevent abrupt changes in temperature, and also minimises the risk of leaves, twigs and other debris from entering your tank.
• Clean the vent pipe to enable the tank to ‘breathe’ – Fuel increases in volume as it warms and shrinks as it cools, creating air pressure that causes your tank to effectively breathe, which can help expel unwanted airborne water content.
• Take steps to remove water from your tank – Condensation in your tank can freeze, increasing the likelihood of fuel damage and clogging filters and pipework.
• Use the right fuel for the season – Ensuring that you have the right fuel for winter ahead of time is massively beneficial to your business’s operations.
• Consider using additives to protect your fuels – It may be more cost-effective to treat your fuel with an additive rather than fully replacing your stock; however, the exact amount and kind of additives you need should be determined by a fuel expert to prevent damage to your fuel, tank and associated machinery.
• Check your fuel for signs of contamination – If your fuel takes on a cloudy appearance or an unusual smell, it may be contaminated. Learn more about our remedial fuel services or consider getting in touch with our expert team to see how we can help you with any issues you encounter.
• Speak to our experts – When it comes to your fuel, there’s no substitute for experience. Luckily for you, Nationwide Fuels has been supplying fuels and lubricants across the UK for over 65 years. Our engineers and fuel experts are on hand to offer the services you need to protect your infrastructure and your business against the worst that winter can throw at you.