The Dangers of Dirty Fuel

When you think of home heating, you probably picture the classic oil burner, but did you know that biodiesel and other types of alternative fuels have made a big splash in the industry? Although they’re typically touted as being better than traditional fuel, they’re not without their issues. In this article, we’ll take a look at what can go wrong when biodiesel and other biofuels are used to heat your home, so you can make sure you’re avoiding them if possible and making smart choices if you need to use them anyway.

How does Biofuel effect heating oil burners?

As biofuel has become more popular, many home heating oil customers have asked why their heating system performance has declined. The issue is that biodiesel introduces impurities to your fuel tank. These impurities find their way into your burner’s ignition system and clog it up. The result is a hard-to-start system, one that sputters and stalls, or worse—one that no longer works at all. If you rely on your home heating system, please call us to check out how we can help you get back to reliable heat. With heating season coming up fast we don’t want anyone caught unprepared!

Biofuels aren’t as clean as they seem

A 2009 study by Stanford University found that biofuels, which are being touted as a clean alternative to fossil fuels and a way to cut down on carbon emissions, actually increased greenhouse gas emissions when compared to traditional gasoline. Researchers tracked greenhouse gas emission levels in California after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger mandated that transportation fuel sold in his state be mixed with ethanol made from corn cobs and stalks. Their findings? The switch resulted in a 50 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Biofuels can cost more than fossil fuels

Since biofuels are made from plants, they can be affected by poor harvests. This means that they may not always be available when you need them most, which can drive up your costs. If you’re using a fuel source to heat your home or run a business, it’s best to consider other options so that you don’t have to deal with fluctuations in price over time.

Is it worth the risk to heat your home with biofuel?

Most people assume that biofuel is a cleaner and more environmentally-friendly way to heat their homes, but recent research has shown that it might not be worth taking on. For example, heating oil is cleaned and filtered on a regular basis to ensure that your home and family remain safe—but if you use an alternative fuel, you can’t ensure it’s being cleaned as frequently as needed. While some scientists claim these risks are overblown, what happens if your heater sputters out in mid-January? Why take chances with something so important? Instead, stick with heating oil; while it may cost slightly more, at least you know it’s clean and reliable.

At Affordable Fuels, our customers come first. That's why we use the minimum mandated amount of biofuel, only 2%. New York State has passed a bill requiring this to increase to 5% by July 1, 2022. Ask us today how we can prepare your home for these changes.