Bioheat® Fuel vs. Heating Oil

Determining Which Fuel is Better for Your Heating System and the Environment

Have you heard of Bioheat fuel? It’s one of the most exciting alternative fuels for home heating that requires no updates to your existing oil-fired home systems. And it’s widely available and in use today in homes throughout Massachusetts!

Bioheat fuel is a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating fuel and renewable biodiesel. Frank Lamparelli Oil customers often want to know more about this fuel. Is it really that good for the environment? Can it keep them as warm as traditional heating oil? Will it hurt their furnace or boiler?

Here are some answers to the common questions we hear about how Bioheat fuel stacks up against traditional heating oil:

Which Heating Fuel is Better for The Environment?

While both Bioheat fuel and traditional heating oil have extremely low sulfur content, Bioheat fuel is cleaner burning because it incorporates biodiesel, which is made from organic and recycled ingredients like:

• Used cooking oil
• Animal fats
• Inedible corn oil
• Soybean oil
• Canola oil
• Algae

Biodiesel is a gallon-for-gallon substitute for petroleum, and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared to petroleum. This means that your home will emit far less sulfur oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, mercury and particular matter. This contributes to decarbonization and makes the air healthier to breathe.

Which Heating Fuel Keeps You Warmer?

For the most part, traditional heating oil and Bioheat fuel are both incredibly effective at heating your living spaces and water. Heating oil has always had robust heating output (around 138,690 Btus per gallon). Bioheat fuel’s Btu output is comparable, giving it the highest heating capacity of any alternative fuel.

Researchers have also found that Bioheat blends of 20 percent or higher have a marginally lower Btu output than conventional heating oil, but this is often offset by the efficiency with which Bioheat blends burn in your furnace, boiler, or water heater.

Which Fuel is Easier on Your Heating Equipment?

Bioheat fuel burns much cleaner than traditional heating oil, which is excellent news for your furnace or boiler. Bioheat fuel leaves fewer deposits in your equipment, meaning your heating system will need fewer cleaners, operate more efficiently, require fewer repairs and have a longer lifespan. That means more money in your pocket!

And—as we mentioned prior—Bioheat fuel works in oil-fired heating systems without modifications.

Which Heating Fuel is More Affordable?

We all know that heating oil prices can fluctuate, but the difference between Bioheat fuel and traditional heating oil is negligible! Consider that biodiesel is a U.S.-made product (choosing Bioheat fuel means supporting American farmers and producers). It’s less susceptible to global energy markets. Overall, the price difference between these fuels is typically pennies per gallon if there’s a difference at all.

You should also factor in the reduced maintenance and repair costs you’ll enjoy with Bioheat fuel. At the end of the day, the more efficient, eco-friendly option is likely the more affordable.

Are you looking for a heating oil delivery partner who will be there when you need us most? Contact Frank Lamparelli Oil today to become a customer and experience the benefits of Bioheat fuel for yourself.