Check Your Oil Tank For New Heating Safety Law

BOSTON (CBS) - If you heat your home with oil and have not already upgraded your burner to prevent leaks, you could be facing a lot more than the cost of the oil this fall.

Oil and insurance companies have been alerting homeowners about this for years.

Still, a handful of homeowners still aren't up to code, which takes effect as a law on Sept. 30, when it comes to having either a shut-off valve on their burner or new, sleeved service lines coming into the house.

Click: Massachusetts Homeowners Heating and Safety Law

Dave Brunell of Pioneer Oil of Worcester said the covered lines are the best option because it's a permenant fix and relatively easy.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports.

"Most lines can run along the wall or up above over the ceiling," said Brunell. "In a few cases, we do open up around a doorway or a walkway, but by and large, it's not invasive."

What's the cost?

"The oil shut-off device is $180 and the sleeve line runs between $200 and $600," said Brunell.

Alternatively, the cost to clean up an oil leak could range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.