Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced from vegetable oils and animal fats through a chemical reaction and meeting ASTM D 6751. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with heating oil. It can be used in home heating oil systems safely with no modifications to the fuel tanks, pumps or burners in concentrations up to 20% biodiesel with only minimal precautions (see conditions for use section).

For higher BioHeat blends than 20% biodiesel, special precautions are needed (see materials compatibility).

Pure biodiesel is also referred to as B100. In the transportation fuel market where ASTM D 975 is the standard for petroleum-based diesel, biodiesel blends are designated ‘BXX’, where XX is the volume percent of biodiesel meeting ASTM D 6751 with conventional petrodiesel. B20, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% petrodiesel, is a common blend for fleets and buses. The heating oil market is focusing on BioHeat, which is a 2 to 20% blend of biodiesel with heating oil.

Q. Do oil burner manufacturers recommend the use of BIOHEAT with their equipment?

At this time the emergence of BioHeat is much too new for burner manufacturers to comment on. However, in work accomplished throughout the northeast, organizations like Carlin, Beckett and Power Flame (notable burner manufactures) all are reviewing BioHeat. BioHeat appears to have little or no negative impact on a burner’s performance while providing emissions, sulfur, lubricity, global warming and health benefits.

Q. What about my oil tank--is it compatible with BIOHEAT?

All known oil tanks and systems are compatible with BioHeat at blends of 20% or less. For higher biodiesel blends, up to and including 100% biodiesel, compatibility will depend on the materials (metals, plastics, and rubber parts) in your tanks, pumps and fuel lines. For blends higher than 20% biodiesel only steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, fluorinated polyethylene fluorinated polypropylene and fiberglass vessels are recommended. Use of tanks or lines made of brass, bronze, and copper or lead, tin, and zinc (i.e. galvanized) may cause high sediment formation and filter clogging and are not recommended.

Q. Does the use of BIOHEAT void my heating oil system warrantees?

To date, no manufacturers have written position statements applicable to BioHeat . However, over 40 million miles of positive, trouble-free experience with up to B20 blends in the on-road market provides a level of confidence that there should be little or no issues with equipment if the biodiesel concentration is at the 20% or lower level.

Q. I understand a great deal of technical and field studies have been performed on Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blends with trucks and buses, but has much been done to validate the positives or negatives about BioHeat or BioHeat Blends in home heating oil applications?

It is true that after a decade of study and field trials and successfully commercialization, biodiesel blends at levels of B20 and lower have been rigorously tested in on-road diesel fuel. To date, BioHeat studies have been conducted by nationally recognized institutions such as the Brookhaven National Laboratory, US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, Massachusetts Oil Heat Council, Abbott & Mills Oil Company, NOCO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, (NYSERDA) and the National Oilheat Research Alliance, (NORA). Go to www.biodiesel.org, www click heating oil and several of these papers are available for download.

These studies benchmarked various aspects of BioHeat and BioHeat Blends as a home heating oil product and are largely the source of data for this Q&A. These results have demonstrated that  BioHeat is seamless and transparent to the heating oil network and can function satisfactorily in home and commercial heating systems with no adverse operational characteristics with blends of 20% or less.

Key observations and findings of these combustion tests include Nitrogen Oxide emissions are frequently reduced by about 20%, Sulfur Oxide emissions by 83% and smoke numbers are greatly reduced with the use of a BioHeat blend.

Q. How much does BIOHEAT cost?

BioHeat is made with Biodiesel, a renewable cleaner burning fuel made in America from home grown vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel has virtually no sulfur, decreases harmful emissions of NOx and other toxic compounds, increases lubricity and improves exhaust odor in home heating applications. Using biodiesel also reduces dependence on foreign oil, helps provide new markets for farm based products, and creates manufacturing jobs for American workers at the same time. BioHeat, made with biodiesel, is true premium heating oil that provides many performance and societal benefits.  At the present time, our premium blend of BioHeat costs the same as regular heating oil. 

Q. Can I purchase BIOHEAT on a fixed cost program like I do my existing heating oil?

Our Price Protection Programs are currently being designed for the next heating season.  We will again be providing price protection for customers who wish to purchase BioHeat.  Check our website soon for more information.

Q. Who can answer my questions about BIOHEAT?

NBB maintains the largest library of BioHeat and Biodiesel information in the world. Most questions can be answered through a review of the information on the National Biodiesel Board website located www.biodiesel.org. If further information is desired, you can email your question to the NBB at info@biodiesel.org. Through a well orchestrated petroleum outreach communication program your local petroleum industry leadership group will become more familiar with these issues and be able to offer you regional advice on the advancements involving BioHeat. Contact your respective Oilheat industry group and ask for information on BioHeat. If they are unable to help you suggest that they contact the National Biodiesel Board to take part in the educational program now available.