The Environmental Benefits of Using Heating Oil in Your Home

Oil heat systems produce tremendous heating energy with very little fuel. That is especially true with the advent of Ultra Low Sulfur (ULS) heating oil.

Heating oil is highly safe to use in your home. It cannot explode. The fuel in your tank is no more flammable than the water in your backyard pool.

It’s Cleaner

Oil heat is a clean burning fuel that produces no harmful carbon dioxide when burned. It is especially true with new oil systems that are highly energy efficient and burn ultra-low sulfur heating oil. A gallon of home heating oil produces 35% more heat than natural gas and can last up to 25 years with proper maintenance.

Today’s oil heat burns 95% cleaner than in 1970, and lower-sulfur products like the ULTRA2BIO premium bioheat Standish Oil reduce emissions even further. Also, unlike other fuels such as natural gas, oil heat does not create greenhouse gases during extraction and production.

It may surprise you that, unlike gasoline, heating oil Bergen County, NJ, is not explosive when liquid, which is why it is stored and delivered to homes and businesses in tanks and lines. It is safe for your family to use, and any leaks will send clear alerts via odors or smoke so that your system can be repaired promptly.

It’s Safer

We’ve all heard about natural gas leaks that have caused carbon monoxide poisoning and death, but the fact is that heating oil is much safer than other types of fuel. Unlike gasoline, heating oil cannot explode or catch fire in its liquid state. Instead, it has to be heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point it vaporizes into the flammable gases that heat your furnace.

In addition, traditional home heating oil has significantly less greenhouse gases and air pollution than natural gas. Thanks to technological advances, today’s ultra-low sulfur (ULS) heating oil burns up to 95% cleaner than it did decades ago. And with cleaner, greener alternative fuel blends utilizing renewable biofuels, even more environmental benefits are possible.

Additionally, heating oil is delivered to you directly from the tank on your property, allowing for more excellent safety than other forms of fuel. That is especially true for those who use a home heating system with an outdoor fuel tank, as these tanks are made from corrosion-resistant materials.

It’s More Efficient

Oil heat burns more efficiently than other heating oils and is better for the environment. A gallon of oil produces 35% more heat than natural gas, meaning 85-95 cents worth of energy is delivered to your home for every dollar spent on fuel.

A modern oil heating system creates less carbon dioxide and particulate than any other home heating system!

Heating oil is safer than gasoline because it won’t explode in a liquid state. A lighted match dropped into oil will fizzle out because it only ignites when an advanced system like your home furnace or boiler heats it.

Many heating oil companies have begun to offer blended home heating oils that include biofuels. This ultra-low sulfur heating oil burns even more cleanly and is an excellent choice for anyone looking to become more environmentally responsible with their home energy choices. In addition, this type of heating oil is more affordable than natural gas because homeowners have more management options and supply choices when using this energy source.

It’s More Affordable

Many choose heating oil as a home heating fuel because it is more affordable than natural gas. It also burns cleaner and produces less carbon dioxide than other home heating fuels. A gallon of heating oil gives you more energy than a therm of natural gas, and it can heat your home to 163% more efficiently.

Unlike natural gas, which releases methane, which has a significantly more significant effect on global warming than CO2, it has no adverse environmental impact. It is non-explosive and can only be ignited by a flame or sunlight, and it is not toxic when spilled.

The heating oil industry has made great strides in cutting sulfur content over the past decades, reducing it from well over 1% to now 0.5%, significantly decreasing greenhouse gases. And with advances in burner technology, today’s oil heating equipment generates near-zero emissions. If you want to reduce your oil consumption even more, whole-home weatherization upgrades can help.