Can you recommend a heating oil additive to break down water and keep the furnace happy?

@gorillapaws questions—-
Where are you ?
Is the tank metal ?
Have you had a professional look at it? Hopefully before you bought it.

Underground tanks need professional inspection and review. In my state you need a certificate. That did not answer question I know but leaky tanks can be nightmare. Been there done that.

Additives can reduce water, bacteria and reduce corrosion, but should be done by oil company / professional underground tank company.

I’m in Richmond, VA. I suspect it’s probably a metal tank on it’s last days. I did have a professional out there to look for a second abandoned tank, and they said there was a good chance this one was starting to leak. I’m planning on switching to natural gas heat this spring once it warms up, and really just need to get through the season, before I can rip out the tank and do any necessary cleanup. Having this done before I bought the house could have been a deal-breaker with the sale and would have involved buying things like brand new oil tanks only to throw them away in a few months after I switched to gas, which seemed crazy. I really just need to stretch the life of this thing until spring. Thanks for your response.

If it is on it’s last legs, good luck!
Remediation and removal of a leaking underground tank can be a big expense, notify your insurance company once you are going to remove a leaking tank, they may pay for soil and tank removal. Don’t wait until spring if it leaks—insurance may not cover it if notification that the tank is leaking it not TIMELY.

Keep an eye on level of tank a drop in the level without cold temps may show failure of tank.

@Tropical_Willie thanks for the heads up. In VA there’s a state fund for the cleanup if there’s a leak which will cover cleanup expenses past a $500 deductible. As far as additives go, there aren’t any retail products that I can add myself? I have to go through a service?

The tank should be tested by the tank service to see what is needed. Bacteria, fungus or dirt are all concerns in the tank while corrosion evidence may mean leakage. Worst case would be pump tank and “spin off water” in separator. Had this happen many years ago. Get quote for maintenance from several services.

I’ve seen this machine in several factories that is mixing cemantren and other additives with water to use for industrial furriness. don’t know the name but I can find if U need. The result is 20 to 70% fuel economy. But it depends from oil quality. If it is a good quality oil then not mush use. But for a pyrolytic oil or oil with lots of impurities it can get up to 70%.
I’v seen them in glass making factories.