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What Exactly is Bioheat®?

Date: February 27, 2019

Bioheat®

Massachusetts is one of the leading states in the country in the adoption of Bioheat. That’s because we recognize just how beneficial this revolutionary fuel is for homeowners.

Bioheat is the industry’s official registered name for the fuel that consists of a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil with renewable biodiesel that’s made from organic and recycled products. These products can range from soybean oil, used cooking oils, inedible corn oil, canola, tallow, fats and algae.

These renewable products are defined as feedstocks for producing biodiesel. Blends of biodiesel in heating oil are designated in percentages. For example, a 5% blend of biodiesel is defined as B5. B10 refers to a 10% blend, while B20 is a 20% blend.

Is biofuel a generic name for Bioheat?

No. Biofuel is a broad term that can include various products including biodiesel, ethanol, renewable hydrocarbon diesel, and raw vegetable oil known as RVO or LR100. It’s important to note that raw vegetable oil does not meet industry specifications; it is not biodiesel or Bioheat and it is not suitable for home heating oil use.

Does Bioheat cost more than standard heating oil?

Bioheat’s costs are similar to those of traditional heating oil; the difference in price is typically only fractions of a penny per gallon.

How will Bioheat save me money?

Using Bioheat to warm your home will save you money because it burns more cleanly than regular heating oil, which means your heating system will not only burn fuel more efficiently, it will also last longer and require fewer repairs.

How does Bioheat help the environment?

When you use Bioheat, you will reduce emissions. By burning more cleanly, Bioheat also extends the life of heating equipment, which means that fewer furnaces and boilers will find their way into the landfill.

Do I need to make any changes to my current equipment to use Bioheat?

Most major heating system manufacturers accept Bioheat as covered under their warranties for use, and you won’t need to make any changes to your furnace, boiler or storage tank to use it. Performance standards for Bioheat have been approved by ASTM International, an organization that sets industry standards for fuels and lubricants.

Read more about Bioheat.