Fuel powers every part of our lives. Whether you’re driving to work or cooking food for your restaurant, you need fuel to keep things moving. While we use fuel for everything, not all fuel is the same. We use different types of fuels for every activity, fitting the fuel to our needs. Understanding all these fuel types and uses helps you pick the right fuel for the job, keeping you safe while you go through your daily activities. Let’s look at some of the most popular fuels and where you might see them used.
Kerosene is the clear liquid you see in heating and lighting. While old-timey kerosene lamps are a famous image, kerosene has more uses. It’s produced from crude oil, which is refined to make usable kerosene. Kerosene is commonly used in lamps, portable heaters and jet engine fuel. It has a lower freezing point and higher flash point than gasoline, making it a stable, safe fuel.
Another benefit of kerosene is its ability to burn cleanly. When you burn kerosene, it produces minimal smoke, although it still releases air pollutants. Minimal smoke makes it a convenient fuel for heaters and lamps since less visible pollution is released in the area. Kerosene’s stability and minimal smoke mean it’s popular in rural areas with unpredictable electricity — it’s easy to transport, store and burn.
Propane is a gas that gets stored as a liquid under pressure. It’s naturally colorless and odorless, but manufacturers will add in a chemical smell for safety. Propane is made as a byproduct of natural gas processing or petroleum refining. You’ll often see propane used for outdoor grilling, heating homes and powering vehicles. Propane is a convenient fuel for camping — it can give you hot water and power many of your RV appliances.
Propane is a popular fuel thanks to its versatility. From industrial sites to residences, it’s a convenient, easily transported fuel. Like kerosene, propane produces less visible pollution, like soot, compared to other fossil fuels. This cleaner burn makes it suitable for grilling and other outdoor activities.
Heating oil is a type of fuel used for heating. It’s a low-viscosity petroleum product used to heat homes and commercial spaces. Heating oil is similar to diesel fuel and is dyed red when used for buildings and off-road vehicles. Homes and businesses that use heating oil get it delivered by truck into tanks, where it’s stored until it’s time to use it. You can ensure your home or business stays warm with the efficient use of heating oil for fueling water heaters, furnaces and boilers.
Heating oil is a favorite for heating homes and businesses because of its high energy content. It produces lots of heat by burning a small amount of fuel, making it extremely cost-effective. It’s efficient for heating large spaces and is relatively safe to store and use. Thanks to its stable properties, homes in colder areas often rely on heating oil for heat.
Gasoline comes from crude oil and is used as fuel for anything with an internal combustion engine. Cars, motorcycles, and boats all rely on gasoline to get where they need to go. It’s a popular fuel thanks to its high energy content and easy use. Gasoline ignites quickly and delivers power to engines, letting them run efficiently. Its quick ignition makes gas ideal for vehicles that need fast acceleration.
While gasoline is a convenient and reliable fuel, it is a significant contributor to greenhouse gases. Despite this, gasoline is essential to powering our vehicles and engines. Fill your lawnmowers, leaf blowers, boats and recreational vehicles with gasoline for quick, affordable power.
Diesel is refined from crude oil and used for vehicles with compression ignition engines. Trucks, buses, trains and even some cars all depend on diesel fuel. Thanks to its higher mass, diesel produces more energy per gallon than gasoline. It’s an excellent choice for heavy-duty vehicles, giving them the power they need for their long operating hours.
Biodiesel is a biodegradable, renewable fuel made from vegetable oils, recycled cooking grease or animal fats. It’s designed for diesel engines — you can use it as a pure fuel or blended with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel gives you lower greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing power or performance. While biodiesel was developed as an environmentally friendly diesel alternative, it does have some drawbacks. At low temperatures, it needs additives blended with petroleum to avoid fuel gelling. Additionally, large-scale biodiesel production might increase concerns about proper land use.
Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is another biofuel, similar to biodiesel. It comes from vegetable oil or animal fats like biodiesel, but it’s produced through hydrotreatment. Hydrotreatment uses hydrogen and high pressure to remove the oxygen and create a sustainable fuel source. You can use HVO with or instead of diesel, reducing emissions. Additionally, the hydrotreatment process makes HVO more stable in storage and cold than biodiesel. However, it’s an expensive production process, increasing user fuel costs. With advances and increases in demand, HVO could become a more affordable alternative to biodiesel and diesel.
Whatever your fuel needs, Foster Fuels can help. Our team is committed to ensuring excellent service and quality fuel for our customers. With an extensive network, we can get you the fuel you need across 48 states and Canada. Choose Foster Fuels for our industry-leading experience and unmatched customer service. As a third-generation family-owned company based in Virginia, we pride ourselves on treating everyone as a part of our community.
Foster Fuels offers a comprehensive fuel service range. From auto-fill options to competitive pricing, we can deliver. As a licensed fuel provider, we supply various residential and commercial fuel products, including kerosene, home heating oil, propane, diesel, biodiesel, HVO and gasoline. With a 24/7, 365-day emergency fuel service, you can ensure your home or business always has fuel. We carry dozens of different kinds of fuels to meet your needs.
For over 100 years, Foster Fuels has worked to build a reputation for outstanding service and reliability. Trust us to keep your home warm and your business running smoothly. Contact us online for residential or commercial fuel services today!