Cleaner Home Heating Oil

Choosing a cleaner fuel to heat your home can be easy! Ask your heating oil provider to fill your tank with ultra-low sulfur diesel or a biodiesel blend. Ultra-low sulfur diesel works just like oil #2 in your furnace, but pollutes far less. (Oil #2 is a very dirty fuel that has long been used in home furnaces; it's a petroleum diesel that contains more than 500 parts per million of sulfur.)

Using a biodiesel blend to heat your home is another smart choice. According to EPA testing, burning B20 (20% biodiesel; 80% petroleum diesel) reduces particulate emissions by about 10%, carcinogenic hydrocarbons by about 21%, and carbon monoxide by about 11% compared to oil #2.

Thanks to legislation that OEC supported in 2007, if you purchase home heating fuel that is at least 20% biodiesel, you will receive a State of Oregon tax credit of up to $200. Save your receipts for tax season!

Using a biodiesel blend of up to 20% will not harm your furnace in any way. However biodiesel is a solvent and will actually clean out your heating system. Because of this you may experience some clogging of the fuel filter, but it's simple and cheap to replace. Blends higher than B20 have not been thoroughly tested, but some biodiesel enthusiasts have converted their furnaces to run on pure biodiesel.

We also recommend you tune-up your furnace annually. Ask a professional to clean the heat exchanger, adjust the burner and replace the filter, if needed. Keeping a heating system clean reduces emissions and maximizes efficiency -- according to the EPA, annual maintenance results in using 13% less fuel.

Diesel pollution is linked to health hazards ranging from asthma to cancer and heart problems. Reducing local sources of diesel pollution can make a significant difference in the health of children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses in our communities.

The Oregon Environmental Council worked with the Oregon Petroleum Association to promote greater use of biodiesel by heating oil companies. Many heating oil companies around the state now offer a biodiesel blend. Just ask your provider, or visit the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Locator.

“The heating oil industry has been very open to learning about biodiesel. They see it as a business opportunity, as well as a chance to do the right thing for the environment,” said Kathy Hyzy, former project manager for OEC.