If you’ve been in Massachusetts for a while, you’ve probably heard about Bioheat® fuel. If you just got here—you’ll be hearing about it soon. That’s because in recognizing the benefits of this revolutionary fuel, the Bay State has been ahead of the national curve and has established itself as a leader in the adoption of Bioheat.
Do you have a solid understanding of what Bioheat actually is? Read on to find out.
This revolutionary fuel is made up of a blend of renewable biodiesel and ultra-low-sulfur heating oil (ULSHO). Renewable biodiesel is made organic and recycled components, called feedstocks, which can include used corn oil, inedible corn oil, fats, algae, canola, tallow and soybean oil.
This is a good time to clarify that biofuel, which you may have heard of, is not just a generic term to be used in place of Bioheat. A broader term, biofuel includes biodiesel, renewable hydrocarbon diesel, ethanol and raw vegetable oil (which you may see as LR100 or RVO). Keep in mind that RVO alone is not biodiesel, nor is it Bioheat. It is not home heating oil and cannot be used in its place.
When a biodiesel blend (Bioheat) is established, its name comes from the percentage of biodiesel it includes. Let’s break that down: B5 means that the fuel has a 5% blend of biodiesel. A 10% blend means you have B10, and a 20% blend gives you B20.
Yes! On its face, the cost of Bioheat is similar to that of traditional heating oil. In most cases you’d be looking at a difference of fractions of a cent per gallon. However, warming your home with Bioheat will lower your bills in ways that are related to its environmental impact.
Bioheat means reduced emissions. As a result, burns more cleanly and more efficiently than conventional heating oil. So you’ll be using less heat to get the same amount of warmth, and your heating system will last longer. You’ll also likely find that you need fewer repairs on your system. All of this amounts to savings!
In most cases, furnace, boiler or storage tank manufacturers will cover Bioheat under their warranties. Bioheat’s performance standards are approved by ASTM International, which is the organization that establishes industry standards for lubricants and fuels. So as long as you have a working, up-to-date system, you should be able to use Bioheat without feeling any transition at all.
Learn more about Bioheat or contact us with questions today.