July 14, 2020
If you’re considering a career in the fuel and HVAC industry, there’s something you need to know about: Bioheat® fuel. Bioheat was developed to contribute to the renewable energy and alternative fuel movement in the United States. Bioheat is quickly becoming one of the most popular renewable liquid heating fuels because of its positive environmental attributes and energy-saving benefits.
You might know the basics about Bioheat, but do you know exactly what makes Bioheat eco-friendly and how it is helping to support our economy? Read on to get the answers to some frequently asked questions about Bioheat. You’ll be able to grow your knowledge about the fuel, which will be an advantage in your job search and help you communicate its benefits to customers in the future.
Q: How is Bioheat made?
Bioheat is created by blending renewable biodiesel and traditional #2 home heating oil. Biodiesel is made domestically from a variety of agricultural or recycled resources, such as plant oils, animal fats, and even algae. Biodiesel is blended with low-sulfur heating oil to create Bioheat fuel. The blend ratio can vary, but the most common blends range from 5% to 20% biodiesel.
Q: What makes Bioheat a renewable energy source?
It’s a renewable resource because biodiesel can be made from a variety of recycled resources, including plant oils, animal fats, and even recycled grease from restaurants. It’s an innovation that doesn’t take away anything except what would otherwise be discarded as waste.
Q: What are the unique benefits of Bioheat fuel?
- Burns clean, producing nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduces your fuel consumption with higher efficiency
- Limits dependency on foreign oil sources
- Reuses recycled waste products from restaurants and farms
- Benefits the economy by providing more local jobs to fuel engineers
Q: Does biodiesel production have any negative effects on farms and food supply?
No, not one bit. All fats and oils used for biodiesel are coproducts or by-products of agriculture. For example, soybeans are grown primarily as meal for livestock and human consumption. About 20% of the soy crop is a coproduct in the form of oil, and by increasing the demand for soybean oil used in biodiesel production, the demand for the crop increases. This causes the cost of soy used for feed and food to be significantly reduced. It’s a win-win for consumers and farmers, who can sell more product than before and produce less waste in the long run.
Have more questions about Bioheat fuel? Visit mybioheat.com or log into your Generation NEXT Energy Pros account to connect with a fuel dealer today!
