In Alaska's Mat-Su Valley, it's not uncommon for homes to rely on fuel oil to heat their homes. Particularly if the home is is in a more rural location outside of city limits. Even with the urban sprawl, some areas still do not have access to natural gas. And while most do have electrical lines, heating with electricity, especially in winter is incredibly costly. So even a modern residence may heat with fuel oil.
In the Mat-Su valley, fuel oil is stored in a tank that sits above the ground on the side of the house. Buyers should always have the tank inspected to make sure that it is structurally sound and functioning properly.
For buyers, the fuel oil tank should be written in the sales contract. For sellers, make sure that the description and condition of the heating oil tank is accurate and up-to-date.
