Your home requires reliable and effective heating during winter months to ensure optimal comfort. This requires not just keeping your furnace or oil boiler well maintained, but also choosing the right fuel oil and stocking up well. There are different fuel oil types and having a basic understanding of each can help you choose the right one to heat your home.

This guide introduces you to the attributes of the different fuel oils to help you make the right choice.

Different Fuel Oils

All fuel oils used for heating are made from crude oil. Different fuel oils are derived as byproducts at different stages of the distillation process. These oils are used in furnaces because they produce a high degree of heat when burned. Different fuel oils have different weights based on refinement.

The different types of fuel oils used for residential heating are as follows:

1. Kerosene

Kerosene is the most widely used type of fuel oil. It is lighter and cleaner than other types of heating oils. Interestingly, kerosene oil is also referred to as ‘28-second’. Some of the main reasons for choosing kerosene as a fuel oil are as follows:

• Stability: Kerosene is valued for its molecular stability. This means you can safely store it for extended periods of time, even when the temperatures fall to extreme levels. It will not freeze or turn into a sludge up to -40°F.
• Safety: Kerosene burns much cleaner compared to other heating oils. It produces much lower carbon monoxide emissions.
• Affordability: Kerosene, besides offering all these benefits, acts as an affordable alternative to other fuel oils. This is because kerosene is extracted from crude oil using a straightforward process.

2. Fuel Oil Grade #1

This is a light distillate fuel oil known for its higher impurity content and thickness. It is thicker than kerosene and has a higher boiling point. Fuel oil grade #1 is basically higher-viscosity kerosene containing more impurities. Since the impurities burn off and enter the atmosphere, it is recommended to use this fuel oil for outdoor applications.

3. Fuel Oil Grade #2

This fuel oil has a similar chemical composition as diesel. The key difference between the two is that diesel is taxed. It is considered the best residential heating oil due to its low impurity levels and high efficiency. Fuel oil grade #2 is untaxed because it is produced to supply furnaces and boilers in homes.

Choosing the Right Type of Fuel Oil

Many homeowners, when they move into a new home, are unaware of the type of heating oil to be used for their heating system. It is recommended to check the system’s label. It can indicate the oil type to be used or the oil that was used previously. If you cannot determine the right fuel type for your system, it is recommended to work with a professional.

It is best to choose a heating oil that is cleaner and produces less pollution. Most heating oil experts deal in fuel oil grade #2 for residential heating needs. When you invest in this type of oil, you will be choosing a more refined oil type. The benefits translate into higher efficiency, more cost-effective and simpler maintenance, and lesser sludge production.

The heating oil you use for your home will eventually depend on your heating system. When buying fuel oil, you should consider the storage tanks’ size and how much fuel you can store. It is important to schedule oil delivery to your property before you run out of it.