7 Reasons Ultra-Low Sulfur Fuel Oil Is Important

Date: March 22, 2023

Lower Sulfur Content Generates Fewer Emissions

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.

Why ULSHO Makes a Difference

1. ULSHO has 99% less sulfur in it than conventional heating oil.
2. The changeover to ULSHO has resulted in a reduction in emissions of over 70%, compared with the emissions produced by traditional heating oil with higher amounts of sulfur.
3. You benefit from better heating efficiency and easier maintenance, since ULSHO creates fewer deposits on heat exchangers.
4. ULSHO allows for the use of super-efficient heating systems, which are already being used with great results outside of the United States.
5. A buildup of sulfur in the heating system can lead to system maintenance issues. The drastic reduction of sulfur means that there will be far fewer system issues, which will lead to lower maintenance costs for Massachusetts homeowners.
6. Because there is virtually no sulfur in the heating system now thanks to ULSHO, your heating oil system can burn the fuel more efficiently, resulting in lower heating bills.
7. ULSHO is extremely clean-burning, producing near-zero particulate emissions.

Matching ULSHO with 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.

A Practical Clean Energy Plan

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.