The Reasons Bioheat® Fuel Is Cleaner & Safer for the Environment

Lowering our environmental impact is a huge concern today, especially when it comes to finding clean, renewable, and eco-friendly energy sources to warm our homes at an affordable price. But is it possible for a home fuel to check off all those requirements at once? The short answer: Yes! Bioheat® fuel is a major player in immediately reducing carbon emissions into the environment and, in addition to being widely available, is also compatible with all existing home heating oil systems with no equipment modifications necessary. So, homeowners can still get the same service from home energy providers they know and trust while heating their homes with a low-carbon fuel.

Bioheat® fuel is a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil and renewable biodiesel. Biodiesel is made from a variety of 100% renewable and recycled natural materials or agricultural by-products, like inedible soybean oil, used cooking oil, inedible corn oil, fats and tallows, and other materials that would otherwise be wasted. Biodiesel has been able to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) substantially by using these renewable natural materials sustainably and responsibly. In turn, the biodiesel in Bioheat® fuel makes this liquid heating fuel able to reduce GHGs and carbon emissions. Bioheat® fuel is an affordable alternative energy option that produces significantly fewer emissions and offers homes and businesses a solution to contribute to carbon reduction right now.

Bioheat® Fuel Will Continue to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Bioheat® fuel is currently offered in three tiers based on how much biodiesel is in the fuel:

• Blends ranging from 2% to 5% biodiesel (B2–B5)

• Blends ranging from 5% to 20% biodiesel (B5–B20)

• Blends with 20% biodiesel and above (B20+)

The higher the biodiesel content, the fewer carbon emissions the fuel produces. With current blends of Bioheat® fuel ranging from 5% biodiesel to 20% biodiesel and above, Bioheat® fuel options are already making a positive impact on the environment. The industry is rolling out higher Bioheat® fuel blends at a strategic rate to ensure safe operation and equipment compatibility, and Bioheat® fuel can be used in existing equipment with little to no modification.

The transition to Bioheat® fuel in New York is a win-win for New York fuel companies, as well as for the environment and consumer energy costs. The biodiesel industry currently employs more than 75,000 people, and production continues growing to meet increased demand. With Bioheat® fuel as the new standard in the state, many local fuel businesses worked to pave the way to make this transition a reality and continue to serve their customers with a quality fuel product that is efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

As New York's fuel companies have grown and adapted to the evolving energy industry over the years, they've chosen to advocate for Bioheat® fuel. Many energy marketers across the state actively participated in supporting and passing the state-wide blending law for Bioheat® fuel. In December of 2021, legislation was signed requiring all heating oil sold for use in any building in the state of New York to contain at least 5% biodiesel by July 2022. A 5% biodiesel blending standard has been in place for New York City and Long Island since 2017.

The Future of Bioheat® Fuel & the Low-Carbon Movement

It's good news that Bioheat® fuel can continually lower its carbon content over time with the incorporation of increased biodiesel blend percentages. The Bioheat® fuel industry is committed to helping New York achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and the proactive plan is already in action. As of 2022, all heating oil sold by providers in New York State is at least 5% biodiesel blend, or B5, Bioheat® fuel, and fuel providers are already starting to increase their blend to 20% biodiesel, or B20. Thanks to the potential of increasing blend ratios of biodiesel, the fuels industry has a shared goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The future is bright for Bioheat® fuel. But the best perk for households and businesses is that this low-cost, low-carbon heating solution for homes and businesses can be used in today's high-efficiency heating oil equipment without modification, contributing to decarbonization efforts now.

Visit MyBioheat.com and BetterwithBioheat.com to learn more about readily available and renewable Bioheat® fuel and its use in New York State, now and in the future.