BioHeat® Fuel

Renewable Heating Oil

Heating oil has been reformulated as BioHeat® Fuel as it is now considered an alternative, renewable energy source throughout Massachusetts. BioHeat® is created from a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil and biofuels made from clean, organic, recycled renewable sources.

The goal of the industry is to transition to a blend of B50 which is 50% biofuel and 50% heating oil. Using a rich blend of BioHeat® helps to reduce emissions, improve system efficiency, and get us closer to a carbon-neutral future. Additionally, half our fuel will be completely renewable!

More About BioHeat® or Biodiesel Blend

BioHeat® is required to meet rigid specifications set by the American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM). Biodiesel is accepted as a fuel and fuel additive throughout the world and is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

BioHeat® or the term 'biodiesel blend' refers to a blend of pure biodiesel with heating oil, represented by a B and then a number. The number signifies the volumetric percentage of biodiesel. It ranges from B1 to B25 safely in existing heating systems.

Biodiesel blend is made from renewable organic sources. It lowers the carbon content of heating oil and reduces greenhouse gas emissions (sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide) from 84% to 50% compared to traditional heating oil or diesel fuel.

National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA)'s research indicates that blending ultra-low sulfur heating oil with biodiesel at 20% significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, making Bioheat® cleaner than natural gas.

Raw vegetable oil does not meet the ASTM specifications, is not biodiesel or BioHeat®, and is not suitable to use for home heating oil. Vegetable oils and/or animal fats have to be converted into biodiesel through a process called transesterification, where the oil or fat is reacted with a catalyst and an alcohol. Transesterification separates the glycerin from the oil or fat, resulting in biodiesel.

The cost of a traditional gallon of heating oil versus a gallon of heating oil that's blended with biodiesel is comparable in price. The blending of biodiesel has not caused significant fuel price changes.