There have been several improvements in recent years to the ways we heat our homes. Many of these advancements have to do with becoming more efficient while lessening our impact on the environment and carbon footprint.
What is the Future of Home Heating Oil?
Bioheat® is the registered name for a specific fuel blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil with renewable biodiesel. Biodiesel is a kind of biofuel that is made from various plant oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oils. It’s a clean-burning diesel that works with existing engines and devices with little or no modification.
Advancements in biofuel are trending toward higher bio blends. This means a higher percentage of biodiesel to heating oil. Bioheat® already reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is cleaner than natural gas.
With the addition of ultra-modern storage tanks, the future is trending toward carbon-neutral heating oil. This hopefully means a future where heating will have no carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions.
What Makes Oil Ultra-Low Sulfur?
Ultra-low Sulfur Heating Oil, or Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), is a type of diesel fuel that contains up to 15 parts per million of sulfur. This is accomplished thanks to a process called hydrodesulfurization or hydrotreating. This is a catalytic chemical process for removing sulfur compounds from refined petroleum products.
First, the high sulfur fuel is heated to temperatures above 600℉, then hydrogen gas is mixed in and moved to a reactor where it is put under high pressure in the presence of a catalyst. This results in a chemical reaction that causes the sulfur to leave the fuel and bind to the hydrogen. It is then moved to a splitter that separates the fuel and the hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The fuel has now been processed and is ready to be used while the hydrogen sulfide can be further refined to create elemental sulfur.
One of the main purposes of this process is reducing the emissions of sulfur dioxide, which can be harmful to human health.
Are Oil Boilers Going to be Banned?
It depends on where you live. Though wherever you are, no one is planning on taking your heat away from you.
In New York City, a bill banning gas hookups in new buildings begins at the end of 2023 and only for buildings under seven stories while larger buildings are delayed until 2027. Similarly, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is finalizing (as of this writing) a budget that calls for new construction in the state to be zero-emission by 2027 and banning oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuel hook-ups in new construction.
Many metropolitan cities are adopting similar measures in efforts to reduce air pollution and climate dangers. England has plans to phase out the sale of gas and oil furnaces and appliances by 2050.
Are Oil Furnaces Obsolete?
While there is a shift away from complete reliance on fossil fuels, it is a slow transition with many options and paths available. It’s only recently that an improved heat pump design that performs well in colder climates has become available. Also, the new regulations focus on new construction, so you don’t need to worry about throwing out your furnace just yet. If you’re considering a furnace upgrade, new options are available that are both energy efficient and more environmentally sound.
Express C.O.D Is Your Long Island Heating Oil Source
Express C.O.D provides discounted oil-on-demand delivery services with the ability to shop and place orders 24/7. We have more than 60 employees to help ensure speedy delivery and excellent customer service. And because we’re part of Tragar Home Services, which has more than 60 years of experience serving Long Island homeowners, you know you can rely on us. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you, or take a look at our service areas and order online!
