Sept 2022
ULSD Diesel vs Biodiesel
According to Oil & Energy magazine, while ULSD may be cheaper, Biodiesel may save your engines.
“Today’s ultra-low-sulfur diesel has it’s own set of operability concerns. Because sulfur acts as a natural lubricant, ULSD is “dryer” than traditional diesel, meaning that it’s lower in lubricity, more prone to holding water, and more susceptible to microbial contamination. Salts that are commonly found in ULSD – some of which are intentionally added, others from contaminants – are less soluble in ULSD, and can be abrasive to engine components and deadly in fuel injectors. The refining process used to remove sulfur also removes oxygen, nitrogen, and other functional elements, yielding a fuel that is less stable in storage.”
“Today’s fuel additive technology can eliminate fuel problems and optimize performance to create a premium product performance to create a premium product tailored to meet the needs of customers. Cold flow additives prevent fuel gelling to keep diesel engines and heat systems running smoothly through the winter. Detergents keep tanks and injector systems clean. Combustion catalysts increase fuel efficiency and decrease emissions. Biocides control microbial contamination. Water control treatments prevent fuel degradation and other water-related issues.”
“Biodiesel (though not an additive) is a cleaner burning, renewable fuel that can be blended with traditional diesel at rates that beat natural gas on environmental benefits. For a negligible upfront cost, they can have a far cleaner, more efficient, and higher performing product that will quickly pay for itself in the form of fewer service calls, less down time, and less customer aggravation.”
Sept 2022
Should I look into heat pumps or mini splits?
(The following information comes from Oil & Energy Magazine)
“….the news is filled with doomsday warnings about continued use of fossil fuels.”
“…heat pumps can be very efficient.”
“…states are offering tax credits and rebates for system conversions to electric heat.”
Heat pumps do “work well in many situations, which is why we sell them. And when temperatures drop, heat pumps run much less efficiently, and when operating in near-or below-freezing temps, they need to run through an hours-long defrost cycle more frequently. This is why biofuel-compatible, high efficiency boilers and furnaces remain the most effective solution for whole-home comfort, reliability and energy savings, and why heat pumps make for an excellent backup system.”
**Bob’s Fuel is now estimating and installing Samsung Mini Split systems as a secondary heat (and A/C) option.
Sept 2022
Why can you off road diesel for heating oil, but can’t use heating oil for off road diesel?
(The following information comes from Oil & Energy Magazine)
“Diesel for use in off-road vehicles and equipment is sold tax-free and dyed red to denote its tax-free status. So, the question has arisen whether you may substitute heating oil for off road diesel, especially if they both meet the 15ppm standard for ultra-low sulfur content. Substituting higher sulfur content heating oil for off-road diesel can void the warranty of off-road vehicles or equipment and damage the engines. You may, however, use ULSD as heating oil.”
“The EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) policy requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel. The law requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to replace petroleum-based fuel in in 2022. The four renewable fuel categories under the RFS are biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel.” “Compliance is achieved by blending renewable fuels into transportation fuel, or by obtaining credit (called Renewable Identification Numbers or RINs) to meet an EPA-specified Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO).
“However, if a renewable fuel is known to be destined for use in non-road application, such as agricultural equipment or underground mining equipment, it’s not considered a motor vehicle fuel and isn’t a renewable fuel that is valid for RFS compliance, and can’t receive RINs.” “Heating oil and on-road diesel are subject to the RFS program, but off-road diesel is not. Using heating oil in off-road vehicles or equipment therefore violates the EPA’s RFS requirements and probably state requirements as well. Violators are subject to a potential civil penalty of up to $47,357 per day of violation…”
**Please note that we DO NOT deliver Off Road Diesel to homes, only to contractors. We do not deliver heating oil to contractors equipment, only Off Road Diesel. Thank you!