Biofuel
What is Bioheat?
Bioheat (B20) is a blend of 80% low sulfur No. 2 home heating oil and 20% biodiesel. This is a blend that can be used in your home oil burning furnace, as well as in diesel operated automobiles. This blend percentage ensures the safe and consistent operation of your current furnace while maximizing the environmental benefits of biodiesel.
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a cleaner burning, domestic and renewable fuel that can be refined from vegetable oil, animal fats or waste grease. The biodiesel we use currently in our B20 blend is made from soy beans grown on American farms and is supplied to us by Greenleaf Biofuels. As members of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, we place a high value on responsible sourcing of biodiesel. Our sources may change depending on availability of biodiesel in this area. Biodiesel meets all ASTM requirements and is the only EPA approved alternative fuel to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act.
What is pure Biodiesel like?
- It's less toxic than table salt.
- It biodegrades as fast as sugar.
- It blends easily with petroleum products.
- It benefits American farmers by utilizing our agricultural resources.
- It also provides an opportunity to recycle waste cooking products.
Why should I use Biodiesel?
- It's renewable.
- It burns cleaner in your furnace, initially causing more frequent filter changes but within a year requiring less cleaning, less often.
- All our biodiesel is filtered to 1 micron increasing the quality and reliability of the fuel and is sampled regularly.
- It reduces exhaust emissions including toxins by up to 78% (16% in a B20 blend).
- It substantially reduces unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, thus reducing the localized formation of smog.
- It dramatically reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nPAH), which have been identified as potential cancer causing compounds.
- It essentially eliminates emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (20% reduction in a B20 blend), thus reduces major components of acid rain.
- It reduces global warming gas emissions.
What about the bigger picture?
Using biodiesel supports our domestic economy, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and enhances our national security. Environmentally, using biodiesel significantly decreases emissions of greenhouse gases and particulate matter that contribute to lung disease and cancer. Biodiesel can be part of the solution to a global problem and an anchor for the future.
What about the cost?
The cost of biofuel is slightly higher than the cost of the co-op pricing for No.2 home heating oil. The industry is confident that demand as well as a heightened sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship, the cost of biodiesel will become more competitive. With all energy costs rising, a B20 blend reflects the increase of petrodiesel also. Contact the Citizen's Oil Co-op to find out what current prices are or refer to our pricing page on this site.
What towns are being served?
Currently, about half of the towns in Connecticut are using biodiesel with the discounted price available through your co-op membership. In locations where it is not currently available, you can get 10 neighbors interested in switching to biofuels and we might be able to get the company to serve your town.