Did you know that condensation build-up on your interior tank walls can shorten tank life? Hot, humid days and cooler nights in the summer create the ideal environment for condensation buildup inside your tank. And if your storage tank is aboveground, outdoors and in an unshaded area, it’s especially vulnerable to condensation.
To avoid condensation build-up inside your storage tank, it’s best to keep your tank full during the warm months. Don’t worry, your heating oil won’t spoil or go bad if it sits in your tank unused for a couple of months. You’ll just be all set to use your heat again when we reach those first chilly nights of autumn.
After water forms on the bare walls on the empty area of the tank, it drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank because water is denser than heating oil. There, it becomes a perfect environment for bacteria and other microorganisms.
Over time, these organisms turn into sediment. One problem is that sediment, also known as sludge, can get into your fuel lines and clog them. This will cause your heating system to shut down.
As with heating oil boilers and furnaces, periodic storage tank inspections can help you ward off problems with your fuel storage system and extend its life. But eventually there will come a time when it makes sense to upgrade to a new storage tank.
Beyond vast improvements in fuel quality, you should know that there have been many advances in heating oil equipment, including heating oil tanks. Designed with corrosion-resistant materials, today’s tanks can last for decades. Plus, new technology allows for remote monitoring to protect against the rare event of a leak and guarantees that you will always have a sufficient supply of heating oil on hand.
If your oil tank is more than 30 years old, it’s a good idea to speak with your local heating oil full-service company about your replacement options
As with storage tank water heaters, it can be hard to see when a heating oil tank is failing, because it usually corrodes from the inside out.
That’s why it’s a good idea to get regular, professional tank inspections done on your oil tank. You should also do your own visual inspections periodically, because some trouble signs can be seen, including:
Here are other warning signs that your tank may need to be replaced:
If you notice any trouble signs with your heating-oil storage tank, please reach out to your local Massachusetts heating oil company for assistance and advice.
The heating oil industry remains committed to helping the Commonwealth reach the net-zero carbon emissions goals outlined in the state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050.
And thanks to the advancement of the industry’s solutions, significant carbon reduction can be achieved immediately.
Heating oil companies in Massachusetts continue a proven pathway to reduce carbon emissions (CO2) with their embrace of Bioheat® fuel.
This is a clean-burning blend of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil and renewable biodiesel — also referred to as advanced biofuel — that is produced with recycled and organic materials such as animal fats, used cooking oil, and vegetable oils. This renewable liquid fuel is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and it’s produced under rigid specifications.
Some Massachusetts heating oil companies that started off delivering Bioheat fuel blends at 2% (B2) are now offering a B20 blend. And retailers who are registered with the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard are delivering blends above B20 if the fuel meets the program’s rigid specifications.
Bioheat fuel requires little or no heating system modifications and is readily available today. Most importantly, Bioheat fuel offers a responsible pathway to carbon reduction that supports families and local businesses. That’s because Bioheat fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 86% compared to traditional petroleum heating oil
The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) continues to pursue research with other partners on making B100 Bioheat fuel a reality.
NORA has been a leader in the transition to low carbon liquid fuels in the home heating sector for decades through testing and promoting the use of the advanced biofuel (biodiesel) that’s combined with traditional heating oil. NORA’s liquid fuels research laboratory in Plainview, NY is among the leading facilities in the U.S. conducting this type of research.
As an example, NORA has demonstrated that a home heated with 100% biodiesel and using solar panels to produce electricity can reach net-zero carbon emissions quickly — and at an economically viable cost. The Energy Kinetics System 2000® heating oil boiler is used in the NORA Net-Zero Home with the new Beckett B100 burner.
Bioheat fuel is now being produced at more than 75 production plants around the country. Today, these facilities produce about 3.2 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable liquid fuels each year. Biofuel production isn’t just about achieving a cleaner environment. It is about building a stronger economy too. The industry supports nearly 60,000 jobs and generates billions of dollars in gross domestic product, household income and tax revenues.
Right here in Massachusetts, heating oil companies can turn to leading suppliers such as Boston-based World Energy, and Cape Cod Biofuels, which partners with more than 1,000 restaurants on the Cape and South Shore to collect about one million gallons of used cooking oil each year.
This product is then recycled into biodiesel for home and commercial heating purposes. Other significant regional suppliers include Lake Erie Biofuels/HeroBx and Chevron Renewable Energy Group. And recently, Northeast Biodiesel began operations in Greenfield, MA. The company expects to produce 1.75 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
Learn how heating oil companies in MA are fueling the future with every heating oil delivery.
The quality of your heating oil has a big impact on how efficiently your boiler or furnace operates heating and how long your equipment lasts. That’s why your Massachusetts heating oil company provides the cleanest fuel possible with each heating oil delivery. It’s better for the environment and better for your heating system.
The heating oil industry continues its commitment to fight climate change by improving efficiency and cleanliness. This is due to the combination of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) and Bioheat® fuel.
Heating oil companies in Massachusetts remain on a proven pathway to reduce carbon emissions (CO2) with their embrace of Bioheat® fuel. This clean-burning fuel–also referred to as advanced biofuel – blends ULSHO with recycled and organic materials such as animal fats, used cooking oil, and vegetable oils. This renewable liquid fuel is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and it’s produced under rigid specifications.
Some Massachusetts heating oil companies that started off delivering Bioheat fuel blends at 2% (known as B2) are now offering a B20 blend. And retailers who are registered with the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard are delivering blends above B20 if the fuel meets the program’s rigid specifications. Meanwhile, the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) continues to pursue research with other partners on making B100 Bioheat fuel a reality.
Massachusetts aims to be a pioneer in the U.S. in the fight against climate change and the renewable liquid heating fuel industry is playing an important role to make that a reality.
To achieve these critical clean energy goals, our energy mix must be both reliable and renewable. Bioheat fuel is renewable by definition and is having an immediate impact on reducing carbon emissions across the Commonwealth. Biodiesel supply is abundant, and the infrastructure is in place to significantly increase supply even further.
Bottom line: the heating oil industry remains committed to helping the Commonwealth reach the net-zero carbon emissions goals outlined in the state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050. And that can be done without saddling homeowners with unnecessary and expensive conversions to other energy sources.
The heating oil industry remains committed to helping the Commonwealth reach the net-zero carbon emissions goals outlined in the Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050. And thanks to the advancement of the industry’s solutions, significant carbon reduction can be achieved immediately.
Heating oil companies in Massachusetts continue following a proven pathway to reduce carbon emissions (CO2) with their embrace of Bioheat® fuel. This is a clean-burning blend of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil and renewable biodiesel — also referred to as advanced biofuel — that is produced with recycled and organic materials such as animal fats, used cooking oil and vegetable oils. This renewable liquid fuel is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and is produced under rigid specifications.
Some Massachusetts heating oil companies that started off delivering Bioheat fuel blends with 2% biodiesel (known as B2) are now offering a B20 blend. And retailers who are registered with the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard are delivering blends above B20 if the fuel meets the program’s rigid specifications.
Meanwhile, the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) and Clean Fuels Alliance America continue to pursue research on making B100 Bioheat fuel a reality.
Bioheat fuel requires little or no heating system modifications and is readily available today. Most importantly, Bioheat fuel offers a responsible pathway to carbon reduction that supports families and local businesses. That’s because Bioheat fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 86% compared to traditional petroleum heating oil, according to Clean Fuels Alliance America.
Advanced biofuel for use in Bioheat® fuel is now being produced at more than 75 production plants around the country. Today, these facilities produce about 3.2 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable liquid fuels each year. Biofuel production isn’t just about achieving a cleaner environment. It is about building a stronger economy too. The industry supports nearly 60,000 jobs and generates billions of dollars in gross domestic product, household income and tax revenues
Right here in Massachusetts, heating oil companies can turn to leading suppliers such as Boston-based World Energy and Cape Cod Biofuels, which partners with more than 1,000 restaurants on the Cape and South Shore to collect about one million gallons of used cooking oil each year.
This product is then recycled into biodiesel for home and commercial heating purposes. Other significant regional suppliers include Lake Erie Biofuels/HeroBx and Chevron Renewable Energy Group. And recently, Northeast Biodiesel began operations in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The company expects to produce 1.75 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
Over the last couple of years, you may have heard about the clean energy goals and net-zero emissions targets that are mandated in Massachusetts by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. Massachusetts aims to be a pioneering state in the fight against climate change, and the renewable liquid heating fuel industry is playing an important role to make that a reality.
To achieve these critical clean energy goals, our energy mix must be both reliable and renewable. Biodiesel and Bioheat fuel are renewable by definition and are having an immediate impact on reducing carbon emissions across the state. Biodiesel supply is abundant, and the infrastructure is in place to significantly increase supply even further.
But reliability isn’t just about supply. It’s also about the service and support heating oil consumers receive throughout the heating season. The combination of a reliable product that provides incredible energy output, reliable systems that perform at high efficiency levels and reliable local energy providers is an unbeatable combination. It will allow the industry to continue to deliver superior service at the same time it is drastically reducing carbon for our communities.
People who live in the Commonwealth are probably more familiar with Bioheat fuel than other areas of the country. That’s because many homeowners and businesses in Massachusetts have been using Bioheat fuel to stay warm for quite a few years.
As you probably know by now, Bioheat fuel is a blend of renewable biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur heating oil. It represents one of the best ways for reducing carbon dioxide in the environment without sacrificing comfort or needing to undertake expensive, disruptive equipment replacements.
So how does Bioheat fuel stack up against the traditional heating oil we relied on for decades? First, the similarities. Bioheat fuel basically works the same as traditional heating oil in your boiler or furnace. You can use it in your existing heating oil system without modification.
Bioheat fuel offers a responsible, immediate road to carbon reduction. That’s because Bioheat fuel reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 86%, compared to traditional petroleum heating oil. Bioheat fuel also helps eliminate harmful sulfur oxides and particulate matter.
In terms of fuel efficiency, you don’t lose any heating power with Bioheat fuel either. On the contrary, it burns much more efficiently, reducing heating system maintenance, improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions. It also has the highest Btu content of any alternative fuel!
Over the last couple of years, you may have heard about the clean energy goals and net-zero emissions targets that are mandated in Massachusetts by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008. Massachusetts aims to be a pioneer in the U.S. in the fight against climate change and the renewable liquid heating fuel industry is playing an important role to make that a reality.
To achieve these critical clean energy goals, our energy mix must be both reliable and renewable. Biodiesel, or Bioheat® fuel, is renewable by definition and is having an immediate impact on reducing carbon emissions across the state. Biodiesel supply is abundant, and the infrastructure is in place to significantly increase supply even further.
The heating oil industry remains committed to helping the Commonwealth reach the net-zero carbon emissions goals outlined in the state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050. And that can be done without saddling homeowners with unnecessary and expensive conversions to other energy sources.
Heating oil companies in Massachusetts continue a proven pathway to reduce carbon emissions (CO2) with their embrace of Bioheat fuel. This clean-burning fuel–also referred to as advanced biofuel –is produced with recycled and organic materials such as animal fats, used cooking oil, and vegetable oils. This renewable liquid fuel is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and it’s produced under rigid specifications
Some Massachusetts heating oil companies that started off delivering Bioheat fuel blends at 2% (known as B2) are now offering a B20 blend. And retailers who are registered with the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard are delivering blends above B20 if the fuel meets the program’s rigid specifications. Meanwhile, the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) and Clean Fuels Alliance of America continue to pursue research on making B100 Bioheat fuel a reality.
You can enjoy all of the benefits of Bioheat fuel with your next heating oil delivery.
Sources:
https://www.biodiesel.org/
Anyone who has been stuck on the road during icy or snowy conditions during a Massachusetts winter storm can emphasize with what heating oil delivery drivers have to contend with when Mother Nature stands up and roars.
For delivery drivers, ice and snow can turn an already tough job into a potentially hazardous one. Maneuvering with a heavy hose while navigating slippery surfaces can be challenging as well. In some cases, drivers have sustained injuries when they lost their balance because of icy surfaces.
After a snow or ice storm, please clear a path to your oil fill pipe so your driver can reach it quickly and safely. You’ll also need to shovel or plow your driveway so it is free of snow and ice. Safety codes prohibit oil delivery drivers from trying to navigate slippery driveways. Fuel trucks also need a space wide enough for an ambulance to get through.
To make winter deliveries easier and stress-free for you, ask your heating oil company if they offer automatic delivery service. They will use your past heating fuel usage and current weather conditions to know when to schedule a delivery before you run low. This eliminates the work and worry of managing your fuel supply.
But if you still prefer to call for heating oil, you need to give your heating oil company extra time when conditions are harsh in order to avoid running out of fuel. It’s best to call for more fuel when your oil tank falls to the one-quarter mark.
Remember that when you get a heating oil delivery, you’re receiving a home heating fuel that has a remarkable safety record because it is biodegradable, nontoxic, and nonflammable.
For further peace of mind, modern heating oil tanks have been designed to be virtually leak-proof. Whether your oil storage tank is located in your basement or outside your home, the tanks being installed today are designed with corrosion-resistant materials.
Ensuring you have removed any obstacles to getting a timely oil delivery is important. But you shouldn’t forget about paying some attention to your heating system during the cold months.
First of all, make sure you’re keeping the area around your heating system as clean and clutter-free as possible. Never store anything flammable, like paint or old newspapers, anywhere near your system.
If you have an oil furnace, check the air filter a few times during the heating season and clean/change it if it looks dirty. A dirty filter compromises efficiency and if it becomes badly clogged with dust and other debris, can force your system to shut down.
If you have a steam boiler, check the water gauge periodically. Low water levels are a leading cause for boiler shutdowns. Steam boilers should also be “flushed” when the water in the gauge looks rusty.
If you have a hot water boiler, make sure the water level of the boiler is half-full. The boiler’s automatic filling system, controlled by the pressure-reducing valve, should maintain the proper water level at 12 to 15 psi of pressure. If there isn’t a pressure-reducing valve, manually feed the boiler by opening up the water feed valve until the boiler pressure reaches 12 psi.
Every year around this time of year, we hear inspiring stories about how technicians, drivers and other staff went out of their way to help a customer find a solution to a serious home comfort or safety issue.
But that’s just another day on the job for them. Employees of heating oil companies approach their work every day with a can-do attitude. The dedicated team at your local heating oil company takes pride in their responsive service and they truly care about your comfort and safety. That’s especially true when we’re facing big snow storms or single-digit outdoor temperatures and below-zero wind chills.
So, rest easy. You can always expect a fast and courteous response whenever a situation arises where you need help in a hurry. Responsiveness and dependability are among the most important attributes of Massachusetts heating oil companies.
If you’ve kept your home warm with heating oil for a while, you probably already know that heating oil, like many other products, comes from the refinement of crude oil.
Through the process of distillation, hydrocarbons are removed from the crude oil, which is further purified and blended to make the heating oil that your fuel company ultimately delivers to your heating oil tank.
The lightest fractions of crude oil eventually become propane, butane and petrochemicals, while slightly heavier fractions are used to produce gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel fuel and No. 2 home heating oil. Diesel fuel and No. 2 heating oil are virtually the same in terms of their chemical composition, but they are taxed differently.
In recent years, there have been significant strides in the refining of heating oil that make it much cleaner and increasingly greener. Notably, most of the sulfur content has been removed, which is why today’s heating oil generates so little soot compared to the past. Heating oil is also being blended with renewable biofuel made from plants and other organic matter. This further reduces the fuel’s carbon emissions.
Massachusetts fuel companies are already leading the way on sustainability with Bioheat fuel, which must meet rigid production specifications. It is a “drop-in” fuel that requires little or no heating system modifications.
Renewable biofuels offer a responsible, immediate path for carbon reduction. Biofuels reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by as much as 86% over traditional petroleum heating oil. The fuel also helps eliminate sulfur oxides and particulate matter, which contribute to climate change problems and health issues.
Homeowners are using Bioheat fuel today across Massachusetts. This fuel burns so cleanly, it is helping homeowners save money on both fuel and system maintenance.
Nationwide, some three billion gallons of biofuel were consumed last year, and biofuel use is expected to exceed six billion gallons by 2030. This will eliminate over 35 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually. That is excellent news for the environment! Read more about getting a heating oil delivery that includes a biofuel blend.
You either have an oil furnace or oil boiler in your home. A furnace uses air to heat your home, while boilers use water. Furnaces and boilers can both use fuel oil to heat, and it starts in the combustion chamber, where the oil is tuned into a flame by the oil burner.
The burner can be considered the engine of your heating oil system. When your house gets chilly, the thermostat will send a signal to tell the oil burner in the furnace or boiler to turn on. A fuel pump then starts to draw the oil from the tank and through fuel lines to reach the oil burner.
There is a device on the burner called the nozzle, which turns the oil into a very fine spray. This oil mist mixes with air and ignites in the combustion chamber, which gets very hot. This heat then gets moved around your home and comes out either through radiators or baseboards (if you have a boiler) or vents (if you have a furnace).
How efficiently this is done depends a lot on the design of the burner. Modern burners contain electronic pre-purge and post-purge controls to ensure ultra-clean starts and stops. New two-stage burners also have an efficiency level that’s 5–15% higher than older ones because they have been designed to conserve fuel.
Read more about heating oil efficiency.
Regular maintenance is a vital money-saving investment for your heating oil boiler because it keeps your equipment running safely and at peak efficiency. Four out of five heating system breakdowns are preventable if you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.
Boiler maintenance is accomplished through a professional tune-up done by your local full-service heating oil company. This allows a licensed heating oil service technician to fix minor issues before they become big problems (worn parts, etc.) (Find out if you need furnace maintenance or boiler maintenance).
Regular tune-ups can also help you conserve heating fuel over the winter. That’s because your professional heating oil technician will conduct many tests to make sure your heating system is running at the best possible efficiency. Any adjustments and repairs can be done after this initial evaluation. Here are some of the tests they may do:
If you have an older steam boiler, check the water gauge periodically. Low water levels are a leading cause of boiler shutdowns. Steam boilers should also be flushed when the water in the gauge looks rusty. If you have a modern hot water boiler, the boiler’s automatic filling system should maintain the proper water level.
Like any piece of equipment, your heating oil boiler will eventually have to be replaced one day. If you think it’s time to replace your old boiler, please contact your heating oil company. If you have an old heating system that’s been prone to repairs lately, a replacement system may be a better option than annual boiler maintenance.
Here are five signs that will help you determine if a replacement system is the better move.
The latest heating oil boilers are small, smart, and super-efficient and can save you 20% or more on your annual heating costs. There are many different equipment options to fit your budget and your local heating oil company has expertise in all types and models of oil heating equipment. See how much you can save with a new boiler installation.
While there are many different situations that can cause your heating system to operate poorly–or not work at all—we’ll keep the focus of this blog on four common problems that occur a lot. Fortunately, these are usually easy and inexpensive to fix—or to avoid altogether.
Please note that in most cases, these tips apply to both heating oil furnaces and heating oil boilers. Not sure which type of heating system you have? Read Boiler vs. Furnace: What’s The Difference?
If your heat stops working and you’ve confirmed that there isn’t a power outage in your neighborhood, your next step should be to check for a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. You also should check to see if the power switches to your boiler or furnace have been accidentally turned off
If you find that power switches for your heating system have been turned off by mistake, simply turn the electrical switches back to the “on” position and your problem may be solved. If only all solutions were that easy!
Typically, there is a power switch located on the side of the heating system or on a wall nearby. In addition, farther away, often at the top of the basement stairs, there is an emergency switch with a red cover plate that is labeled. People will sometimes turn this switch off by mistake, thinking it is the power switch for the basement light.
If your power switches are not the problem, check your circuit breaker box to see if all circuit switches are still in the “on” position. Flipping the proper switch to on again may be all you need to get your system running again.
However, please keep this in mind: a circuit breaker rarely ever trips for no reason. If this happens once and never happens again, it may be just a fluke. But if this happens more than once, contact a heating oil service professional, as this could indicate a serious problem.
Many instances of heating systems not working can be traced to the thermostat, whose job it is to send a signal to your oil boiler or oil furnace to call for heat. But this signal may be interrupted if the wiring of the thermostat has begun to deteriorate. A build-up of dust inside your thermostat is another common reason why your thermostat is not operating correctly. Another thing to look for are weak batteries in the thermostat.
If you have a warm-air oil furnace, change or clean the filter on a regular basis during the heating season. Dust and dirt are the natural enemies of your furnace; a dirty filter compromises efficiency and can even cause your furnace to shut down.
If you have a steam oil boiler, check the water gauge periodically. Low water levels are a leading cause for boiler shutdowns. Steam boilers should also be flushed when the water in the gauge looks rusty. Contact your Massachusetts heating oil company if you’re not familiar with this procedure. You can also watch this quick video.
If you have a hot water oil boiler, make sure the water level of the boiler is at half-full. The boiler’s automatic filling system, controlled by the pressure-reducing valve, should maintain the proper water level at 12 to 15 psi of pressure.
And of course, you should always schedule preventive maintenance from your heating oil service provider so you don’t have to worry about your furnace or boiler breaking down during the winter. Annual service will also improve efficiency, helping you to conserve fuel.
If you call to order your fuel, make sure to check your heating oil tank regularly—especially in the middle of a cold snap. You should not let your oil tank fall below the ¼ mark. To prevent run-outs, see if your heating oil company offers automatic delivery service, which is designed to prevent run-outs.
If you have questions or any problems with your heating oil system, please reach out to your Massachusetts heating oil service provider.
In recent years, Massachusetts homeowners have heard about the commonwealth’s plans to reduce carbon emissions. The Clean Energy and Climate Plan proposes the replacement of one million natural gas, propane gas, and oil-fired residential heating systems with electric heat pumps by 2030 to help reduce carbon emissions.
But there are some fundamental questions and doubts about the feasibility of the plan, including the ability of the electric grid to handle the added electricity load of such a massive conversion to heat pumps.
Massachusetts fuel companies are already leading the way on sustainability with Bioheat® fuel, a clean-burning blend of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil and biofuel/biodiesel produced with recycled and organic materials such as animal fats, used cooking oil, and soybeans. Biofuel must meet rigid production specifications and it is a “drop-in” fuel that requires little or no heating system modifications
Biofuel offers a responsible, immediate path for carbon reduction. Biofuels reduce CO2 emissions by 76% to 86% over traditional petroleum heating oil. The fuel also helps eliminate sulfur oxides and particulate matter, which contribute to climate change problems and health issues.
The heating oil industry is on pace to achieve the same 2050 carbon-reduction goals as Massachusetts’ Decarbonization Roadmap — without saddling homeowners with unnecessary and expensive conversions to other energy sources.
Homeowners are using Bioheat fuel today across Massachusetts. It can be utilized with existing oil-fired equipment and is as economical as traditional heating oil. Bioheat fuel burns so cleanly, it is helping homeowners save money on system maintenance.
Nationwide, some three billion gallons of biofuel were consumed last year, and biofuel use is expected to exceed six billion gallons by 2030. This will eliminate over 35 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually. That is excellent news for the environment! Read more.
As we look for more ways to decarbonize our economy, Bioheat fuel is leading the way in Massachusetts and across the country.