As a New York resident, you’ve probably heard about Bioheat® fuel—especially if you rely on liquid heating fuel to keep your home and family warm. But you might be wondering, how is Bioheat® fuel made? What makes it better for the environment, and what standards surround the fuel to regulate its contents? You’ll find the answers to all those questions and more in this blog post about the production of Bioheat® fuel and its usage in your home heating equipment.
Bioheat® fuel is a blend of traditional liquid heating fuel with low-carbon, renewable biodiesel.
Biodiesel is made domestically in the USA through the refining of used cooking oils, agricultural by-products, and other greases and oils that would otherwise be discarded as waste. The chemical process that creates biodiesel is known as transesterification, which denotes when glycerin is separated from the oil, leaving behind methyl esters and glycerin. Glycerin is used in a variety of non-fuel products such as soap, while methyl esters are saved for use in your home heating fuel. Methyl ester is the chemical name for biodiesel. For those of us who aren’t scientists, that means that biodiesel is environmentally friendly!
Bioheat® fuel blends can range from 5% biodiesel to 20% biodiesel, and the rest of the gallonage content is ultra-low sulfur liquid fuel. All biodiesel must meet strict ASTM technical standards, so no matter which local fuel delivery company you order from, you know you’re getting a high-quality product. Get in touch with your heating fuel delivery provider to ask what blend of Bioheat® fuel they currently deliver—remember, all heating oil sold in New York State is at least 5% biodiesel, with many providers offering higher blends.
Bioheat® fuel has been tested thoroughly by the world’s most creditable fuel research organizations including Brookhaven National Laboratory, the US Department of Agriculture, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Each has found in an independent study that ASTM-grade biodiesel can blend seamlessly in traditional heating fuel with even greater benefits to important factors like performance, health, security, and climate change.
Related Post: Is Bioheat® Fuel a Safe Fuel Choice?
Bioheat® fuel is a low-carbon energy source for homes and businesses, and it’s the only one that can continuously lower its carbon content over time. It’s better for the environment, cleaner for the air, and safer for the future of our community. Not only that, but it can be used right now in your existing oil heat equipment with no modifications—it doesn’t get much better than that! Contact your fuel delivery provider to learn more or to place a Bioheat® fuel delivery today.
