How Clean is Bioheat® Fuel?

Oilheat industry commits to net-zero carbon emissions

Heating oil has continually evolved since it became the primary source of heating fuel for homeowners in the 1950s, and one of the most striking changes over the years has been the industry’s effort to reduce carbon emissions.

As a result, today’s heating oil burns more cleanly, with lower emissions. Consumers also benefit from better heating efficiency and easier maintenance, since highly refined, renewable Bioheat® Fuel creates fewer deposits on heat exchangers.

Achieving the net-zero carbon emissions goal

During a meeting at the Northeast Industry Summit in 2019, the entire Northeast heating oil industry resolved to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050.

The industry’s resolution calls for a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2023, a 40% reduction by 2030, and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The resolution also directs industry associations and other groups assembled at the meeting to work with one another to achieve these emissions reductions.

How oilheat has become cleaner over the years

• Thanks to major advances in technology, oilheating systems burn 95% cleaner than they did in the 1970s.
• High-efficiency furnaces and boilers use substantially less oil now—about 500 gallons fewer gallons per year compared with systems used in the 1970s.
• Oil heat systems are cleaner and produce lower emissions than ever before. Modern oil burners emit near-zero levels of pollution; heating with oil today means no odors, soot or other residues in your home.
• The latest heating systems are small, smart, and super-efficient and can save you 20% or more on your annual heating costs.
• Solar and geothermal energies can be integrated with oilheat in hybrid systems for water heating. That means a household’s water can be heated with little or no fuel required. A solar water heater can reduce water heating bills by as much as 80% and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 6,000 lbs.*
• In recent years, fuel refiners have been able to steadily reduce the sulfur content of heating oil, and today all heating oil customers in New York receive heating fuel with an ultra-low sulfur content. This has drastically reduced harmful emissions, with the side benefit of increased energy efficiency and less wear and tear on equipment.

As ultra-low sulfur Bioheat® Fuel becomes more widespread in the coming years, home heating oil will move closer and closer to becoming a carbon-neutral fuel. This and other innovations within the industry will help to keep heating oil as a leader in America’s energy evolution.

Contact your local heating oil company to learn more about modern oilheat and be sure to ask about available rebates for new oilheating equipment.

*Source: U.S. Department of Energy.