Don’t be fooled! Cold weather is coming to Upstate New York. While we’ve had a mild fall so far, there’s no avoiding the frigid temperatures that winter will bring. The good news is that this year, more and more homes in the Upstate New York region are being heated with Bioheat® fuel. As of 2018, reports say that 24%[1] of homes in the state use Bioheat®, and that number is only going to grow.
So, we’ve gathered up frequently asked questions to help homeowners understand the benefits this heating fuel brings to the table.
Bioheat® fuel is a blend of renewable biodiesel and standard home Bioheat® fuel. Biodiesel is made domestically from a variety of agricultural byproducts and recycled resources. Then, the biodiesel is mixed with ultra-low sulfur Bioheat® fuel to create Bioheat® fuel. The blend ratio can vary, but the most common blend delivered in Upstate NY is five percent biodiesel.
Biodiesel can be made from a variety of renewable resources, including plant oils (such as soybean oil, peanut oil, and sunflower seed oil), animal fats, recycled grease from restaurants, and even algae oil. These are normally byproducts of agriculture, and would otherwise be discarded as waste if not used to create biodiesel.
No! Bioheat® fuel is compatible with existing heating systems. No modifications are necessary. All you have to do is call your local Bioheat® fuel provider and ask if they deliver Bioheat® fuel.
The energy balance of Bioheat@ fuel is 5.54 to 1, meaning that it produces over five and a half units of energy for every one needed to create it[2]. This is the highest energy balance of any commercially available fuel in America, which means your fuel will last longer to produce comfortable heat for your home.
Bioheat® fuel is nontoxic, biodegradable, and produces significantly fewer emissions than traditional Bioheat® fuel. The higher the percentage of biodiesel, the lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced. Bioheat® fuel is an integral part of the energy industry’s mission to reduce emissions.
Contact your local Upstate New York Bioheat® fuel company to find out how you can start using Bioheat® fuel to heat your home and click here to learn more about Bioheat® fuel in the Capital Region.
[1] New England Fuel Institute
