Heating up your home might turn out to be intimidating in many parts of the country during the winter months. While you would like to elevate the level of comfort, you would also keep an eye on your expenses on heating oil or fuel. Of course, you would be tuning up the furnace or boiler, and contacting one of the reputed fuel heating oil suppliers around. Now, you would come across several types of fuel heating oil. It’s imperative to choose a fuel that happens to be clean, cost-effective, and easily available. To make the decision-making process easier for you, here are the different types of fuel heating oil.
Different types of fuel heating oil
Well, you might have the feeling that all heating oils serve the same purpose. However, these fuels come in different grades and types. Each type comes with certain advantages and disadvantages.
- Kerosene
When you look out for fuels for home heating, kerosene proves to be the lightest. It is prepared by filtering the impurities in fuel oil. As a result, it is easy to burn the oil indoors. Kerosene has a lower boiling point and happens to be less viscous than other types of fuels. Often, this fuel oil finds its use in heating things in outdoor areas. Besides, in the absence of furnaces in indoor spaces like new construction sites, kerosene proves handy.
Besides, when you are on a camping trip or undergoing a blackout, kerosene would prove ideal as a source of heat. Lamps lit by kerosene can provide you with light for a long time.
- Diesel fuel
Well, you must be familiar with diesel as a source of heat, or as a fuel. Untaxed diesel comes with a typical red dye. It serves as a good source of heat and energy for off-road vehicles and construction machines. Besides, the sulfur content in diesel is comparatively lower than many other fuels.
On the other hand, you have taxed diesel, that comes in a natural greenish color. It finds extensive use in running vehicles.
If you want to use diesel for heating your appliances at your home, you need to blend a type 1 fuel oil with diesel. This will significantly reduce the formation of sludge during the winter months.
Fuel heating oil in different grades
You can also purchase fuel heating oil in different grades, as presented below.
- Heating oil grades 1 and 2
When it comes to residential heating, you may go for grades 1 and 2 of heating oil. Comparing the prices, it would be logical to go for type 2 oil. In fact, type 2 oil indicates diesel fuel, and it is different from type 1 oil. It is formed through the refining process, when raw crude oil is first heated and then condensed. The logic behind purchasing type 2 oil is its efficiency, compared to other sources of fuel that you would be using for home heating like kerosene, electricity, and natural gas.
- Heating oil grade 6
Grade 6 oil happens to be the cheapest of the heating oil grades available in the market. However, it is not as clean as other oils, or even propane gas. Therefore, you need to spend more time and money on maintaining your appliances, heating system, and furnace if you decide to go for this fuel. Besides, it contains a high concentration of sulfur and pollutants.
Should you use propane gas as a fuel for heating?
Propane has emerged as an excellent heating option for both homes and businesses. It is a type of LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas), generated through refining petroleum and processing of natural gas. After extraction, it is pressurized to store in liquified form in containers. When used, it generates a gaseous vapor, and is one of the cleanest fuels.
Contact one of the local propane gas suppliers if you want to switch to this economic and easily available fuel for heating. using propane would also prolong the lifeline of your heating appliances.
