A class of liquid fuel that is used to heat homes and businesses throughout United Kingdom is called heating oil. All of these fuels are popular choices for off-grid homes and commercial buildings as alternatives to heating.
Heating oil is a fuel that is burned in oil-fired burners, water heaters, and furnaces. This is also a clean alternative fuel for the internal heating system.
Whether you use heating oil frequently or are trying to increase your understanding about this necessary fuel for everyday use,this blogpost will be beneficial for you.
What is heating oil?
Heating oil is similar to kerosene and is a liquid product that is derived from petroleum. This is similar to diesel. However, there are variations in the composition of chemicals but the properties are the same. This is the second-most important by-product of crude oil after petrol and is always being highly used across the world. Based on your needs you can use the oil for industrial premises and domestic properties.
A large number of domestic users live in those areas where there is no availability of natural gas lines. Thus, the heating oil types are used as fuel for heating their boilers.
Within the different settings of the industries the heating oil grades and types also come into the IHO or industrial heating oil. This is being used to heat the large and open spaces for the factories, warehouses, colleges, and schools.
How is heating oil graded?
The heating oil can be categorised and graded by weight. The weight is based on the boiling point, viscosity, additives, and different more important factors. Generally, the higher the grade is, the cleaner and efficient it will be. This will also be more expensive. For the average homeowner, this is all about being prominent in keeping a careful balance between the oil quality and price. Each of the heating oil grades and types has a distinct level of characteristic that make it unique and different from others.
1 – Heating oil Grades & Types
There are various types and grades of heating oil.
The heating oil types are as follows:-
Kerosene: this is the home heating oil and is also known as the 28-second oil. This is basically used for home heating. This is also considered lighter than gas oil. The standard grade of kerosene means that it meets the BS 2869 Grade C2 specifications. This can also be called C2 kerosene.
Premium Kerosene: this is a higher level and type of domestic oil than that of the standard level of kerosene. This is lighter and has other levels of benefits. This meets the BS 2869 C1 specification and is also called C1 kerosene.
Kleenburn Kerosene: these heating oil types are more clear. This is slightly higher in the ranges of price. This is also safe for the environment as it keeps the emissions low.
Furnace Fuel: The furnace fuel is needed in municipal buildings like colleges and schools. This is compliant with the BS EN 2869 and Class D parameters. This also has met the British Approved Standards for the heating oil.
2 – The heating oil Grades
Besides the types, the heating oil can also be differentiated into grades. Each of the grades have a distinct level of characteristic and this makes them unique from others.
The higher grade of heating oil is also more clean and more efficient. They also have less impact on the environment.
There are three important heating oil grades and three of the other intermediary grades.
Grade 1 and 2 Heating Oil
The Grade 1 and 2 are the most prominent grades of heating oil in most households. Grade 1 is more affordable than Grade 2. As the Grade 2 heating oil has the same classification as diesel, many people think that they are the same.
However, as opposed to diesel, Grade 2 heating oil is produced as a byproduct of heating and condensing crude oil during the oil refining process.
It is also very efficient while compared to other fuel sources like electricity, propane, and natural gas. Therefore, for residential heating, it is the standard option in most of the homes.
Intermediary Heating Oil
The intermediary heating oil is a mixture of the higher and lower grades of heating oil. Different industrial and commercial burners use intermediary heating as this is more efficient. However, the intermediary heating oil is more expensive.
Heating Oil Number 6
The heating oil number 6, is the final grade of the heating oil. This is also the least expensive within the group, nevertheless, this is also very dirty. For this, you have to maintain and clean your heating system frequently.
Sulphur and other levels of pollutants are present in high amounts and concentrations in heating oil number 6. It is therefore harmful to the environment. Due to this, the majority of environmentalists support the phase-out of this heating oil grade.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
The various advantages of the types of heating oil are
Safety: heating oil is readily combustible in the natural liquid form and this makes it very unlikely for an explosion to happen. If there is a regular level of maintenance there will be fewer chances of co2 poisoning also.
Efficiency: heating oil burns at a higher level of temperature than natural gas and it is powerful for the heating water supplies. With the delivery of a higher level of British Thermal Unit (BTU) than compared to natural gas the heat stores will recover more quickly.
Great for remote locations: the heating oil is a great alternative for properties that are located “off the grid”. If you are located in a rural area the heating oil will be the best choice for you than the gas network.
Flexible payment options: You can choose from different payment options for heating oil types. This can be paid in a lump sum, making payments in instalments and direct debits.
Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages of the type of heating oil are as follows:-
Price fluctuations: the heating oil price fluctuates in the market and this works on the process of demand and supply.
Remember to keep the oil tank filled: you should always remember to keep the oil tank filled with oil.
Maintenance: you have to make regular maintenance of the oil heating system and keep track of the level of oil.
Onsite tank is needed: To store the heating oil and keep that safe you need to have an onsite tank. You should keep on tracking the condition of the tank.
Pros and cons
The pros and cons of the different heating oil grades are as follows:-
Pros
- The different heating oil grades do not produce carbon monoxide or any other poisoned gas.
- They achieve higher levels of BTU rate per hour.
- They do not need the pipeline infrastructure as the fuel is being directly delivered to the consumers and stored in the tanks.
Cons
- Home heating oil grades are having the same kind of price volatility as motor fuel.
- They need restocking when the supplies are low.
- They need a high level of maintenance.
- You need to have an onsite storage tank for this.
- This cannot be added to the HVAC system.
What Type of Heating Oil Should You Use?
If you have just moved into a home that uses heating oil, you should be aware of the heating oil types and heating oil grades that you will use. You should look for the label on your heater that will indicate what type of heating oil was being used previously and what type of oil should be used. If you do not find any label, you should contact a professional or expert for this. It also has been advised that the heating oil #2 is the best option for residential heating. This will be easy to maintain and will have high efficiency. You also have to check what type of heating oil is available near you. You should also find the best provider of oil in your area.
Conclusion
The type of heating oil you should buy depends on different factors. For instance, your budget, your heating system, and which type of heating oil will be safe for your furnace.
It has been said that you should not be afraid of spending a little more on having good quality heating oil. You can thus save a lot of expenses on its maintenance. You can also consult the home heating oil experts to get the best heating oil types and heating oil grades for your heating system.
FAQs
- What are the 3 types of fuel oil?
There are three heating oil categories
- Fuel oil of choice is diesel.
- The fuel oil ranked second is distillate from home heating oil.
- The third kind of fuel is distillate oil which is being used in burners and requires a low level of consistency.
- What is the new type of heating oil?
The new type of heating oil is (HVO) Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil.
- What is the difference between number 1 and number 2 heating oil?
Number 1 fuel is like the heavier type of kerosene. This means that it has a high level of boiling point. In comparison with number 2 fuel, this is a little lighter.
- What is the classification of furnace oil?
Furnace oil is a category of dark residual and viscous fuel that is obtained by mixing the heavier components from the crude distillation unit. The furnace oil can be classified into four grades and they are MV, LV, MV2, and HV.
