Everything You Need to Know About Heating Oil

If you are considering which fuel is best for heating your home, you are likely weighing your options. For many homeowners across the country, heating oil is a popular choice.

To help you determine whether this energy source is the right solution, here is everything you need to know about heating oil, ranging from its benefits to how it impacts the environment.

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Table of Contents

• What Is Heating Oil?
• How Is Heating Oil Made?
• Are There Different Types of Heating Oil?
• What Are the Benefits of Heating Oil?
• How Can You Maintain and Store Heating Oil?
• What Is the Environmental Impact of Heating Oil?
• Contact Foster Fuels for All Your Fueling Needs

What Is Heating Oil?

Also known as No. 2 heating oil, heating oil is a petroleum distillate closely related to diesel. This fuel is commonly used to heat residential and commercial spaces by powering furnaces, boilers and water heaters. While you can use heating oil for both water and space heating, you would typically need smaller amounts for the former application.

During the winter of 2023 to 2024, around 4.79 million American households used heating oil as their primary fuel for heating systems. For those in the Northeast, it is a firm favorite to heat their homes in the colder and snowy months — 82% of these households were based in this region.

How Is Heating Oil Made?

Almost all of the heating oil consumed in the U.S. is made from crude oil. Through a process of refinement, the oil is distilled to remove various impurities so that it can fuel various heating appliances.

While domestic refineries supply most of the country’s demands, imports from other countries usually help meet the high residential heating oil consumption needs of some regions.

Are There Different Types of Heating Oil?

There are two types of heating oil: — ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) and standard heating oil.

ULSHO has a much lower sulfur content than its traditional counterpart. Even though ULSHO is still produced from crude oil, the refining method is different — refineries use a process of hydrodesulfurization to reduce levels of sulfur. The result is a much cleaner fuel containing 15 parts per million (ppm) or less of sulfur.

As the sulfur in fuels produces toxic emissions, many states have made ULSHO a requirement. In 2012, New York was the first to transition, with Delaware and New Jersey following suit in 2016. Since 2018, all New England states have adopted the required use of ULSHO. As ULSHO is compatible with any appliance powered by traditional heating oil, homeowners can make the switch with no added costs — they can still enjoy all the benefits with the additional advantage of a more eco-friendly fuel.

What Are the Benefits of Heating Oil?

This fuel is so widely used as it has many benefits — it is safe, durable and efficient. If you are considering using heating oil for heating your home, here are all the advantages it can offer:

• Safety: As heating oil doesn’t burn in its liquid state, there is no risk of spontaneous combustion and a potential leak won’t lead to a fire hazard. Additionally, ULSHO has made heating with oil much safer for human health and the environment, as it reduces harmful emissions.
• Efficiency: Many home and business owners use heating oil because it has a high energy content. It produces more heat than natural gas, propane, and electricity, which means you can use much less fuel to generate the same amount of heat as these other energy sources. As heating oil is also considered to produce the hottest flame, it is an excellent choice for quickly warming up large spaces.
• Durability: When properly maintained and stored, heating oil is highly durable and can last many years. Because of its stable properties, homeowners in cold areas can depend on heating oil for heat. Using ULSHO may also help extend your heating system’s life span and enhance its efficiency and performance, as sulfur is often linked to breakdowns in boilers and furnaces.

How Can You Maintain and Store Heating Oil?

Once you have purchased heating oil from a reliable supplier such as Foster Fuels, it will be delivered to your home via trucks. You must store this fuel in tanks until you are ready to use it. In addition to helping extend the shelf life of this fuel, correctly storing your heating oil and looking after its storage tanks are vital for safety reasons.

With proper care, you can reduce the likelihood of a spill, leak or tank system malfunction that may damage your home, cause health issues and pollute the environment. Follow these home heating oil storage and maintenance tips:

• Choose the appropriate storage tanks: The right tanks are crucial for safe storage. For example, only use designated outdoor tanks to store your heating oil outside, as these can withstand the elements. Using other storage tanks may be a safety hazard.
• Select an ideal location: Whether you store your tanks indoors or outdoors, keep them far away from any possible open flames or heat sources and shield them from direct sunlight. You should also ensure that you place your tanks on stable and even surfaces and regularly clean any debris or flammable materials from the surrounding area. Also, keep in mind that some fuel suppliers may have restrictions on what type of tanks and tank locations they will deliver fuel to. It is best to check with your provider ahead of time, if possible.
• Regularly inspect your tanks: Check your storage tanks for any leaks or other signs of damage. Inspect areas such as the vents, fittings and pipes — they should be secure and intact. If you notice any issues, immediately call an expert for repairs.
• Handle the fuel carefully: Always follow safety measures when handling and inspecting heating oil. For example, you should wear protective goggles and gloves. To protect the environment, avoid overfilling your tanks to prevent spills. In the event of a spill, promptly clean it with buckets or absorbent materials. Call for assistance if the spill is extensive.
• Be cautious of condensation: Condensation inside your tank can cause water to accumulate, contaminating the fuel. Keeping your tanks as full as possible can lower this risk as less air space prevents condensation from forming. Contacting your fuel supplier early on in the heating season to keep your supply full can help maintain this ideal fuel level.
• Schedule professional maintenance: For adequate maintenance, rely on professionals such as the team at Foster Fuels. We also offer tank cleaning and maintenance services to help ensure that your fuel is free of contaminants and preserve the quality of your heating system.

What Is the Environmental Impact of Heating Oil?

Though correctly storing and maintaining your heating oil can reduce the chances of water pollution and soil contamination, it can still impact the environment.

In some areas of the United States, suppliers are now offering heating oil blends made from petroleum distillate and biofuels, biomass-based alternatives aren’t as widely available throughout the country. If you are looking for fuel to heat your home that is gentler on the environment while still being durable and efficient, you may want to consider an alternative such as propane.

Contact Foster Fuels for All Your Fueling Needs

Whether you want to purchase heating oil or another fuel for your home, turn to Foster Fuels as your trusted supplier. Since 1921, we have been delivering fuel to households in Virginia and surrounding areas.

As a family-owned business with years of experience, we’ll gladly help you find a heating solution that works for you. Beyond delivering straight to your property, we offer everything you need to effortlessly warm your home, from proper tank and fuel maintenance to our auto-fill services.

To learn about how we can help with your fueling needs, contact us today!